What is the future of digital transformation, and how will it impact your business?

So, you have your own business. But how long do you plan to run it? If you're into strategic, congratulations — you're still young. But let’s cut it to the chase. Perturbations of recent years have shown that it has become impossible to plan for the long term. Or is it still possible? Spoiler: Everything is possible with the right level of flexibility in your business. Digital trends are one of the drivers of such flexibility. Keep your eyes open to stay afloat.

Just because you are not alone in this journey. According to the IDC Worldwide Digital Transformation Spending Guide, global spending on digital transformation is projected to reach USD 2.8 trillion by 2025. These numbers underscore the inexorable momentum of technology metamorphosis and their pivotal role in reshaping industries.

Digital transformation (DT) isn't a mere buzzword; it's the cornerstone of a new era. As Marc Benioff, the Chairman and CEO of Salesforce, aptly puts it, "The business world is now in the Age of the Customer, and nothing is more important than understanding and delivering a great experience for them."

In this journey through the digital transformation future, we will unravel the latest trends, explore the tools that are reshaping industries, and unveil essential strategies for businesses to not only survive but thrive in this era of relentless change. The compass is set, and the course is charted.

Top 8 Trends Influencing Digital Transformation

The DT landscape is a dynamic canvas, constantly evolving and reshaping entire industries. A little bit pathosly, isn’t it? Maybe, but if you don’t buy it, just look at the Ukrainian government app — Diia. Ukraine is the first country in Europe that equated digital documents to physical ones. To navigate this terrain effectively, it's essential to stay attuned to the prevailing trends and emerging technologies that are driving change.

No-code And Low-code Development

In the past, developing software applications required a deep understanding of coding languages and extensive programming skills. However, the emergence of no-code and low-code development platforms has democratized software creation. If you have limited coding experience or even don’t have any, you still can design and deploy software solutions without writing a single line of code. A prime example is Zapier, a no-code automation platform that allows users to connect their favorite apps, automate workflows, and create custom AI chatbots effortlessly.

By the way, in August 2023, following trends, Meta launched its AI tool Code LLaMA specializing in coding. Like in Codex from OpenAI or Stack Overflow’s OverflowAI, you simply describe what kind of app you want to get, and you actually get it. Yeah, sometimes code is not ideal, but hold on — leave it be, and you’ll see how good it’ll be in 3-5 years.

Cloud Migration

The shift toward cloud computing is a fundamental driver of future digital transformation. Organizations are increasingly migrating their IT infrastructure and services to the cloud to achieve greater flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Leading cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) offer a robust platform that enables businesses to seamlessly migrate and manage their digital assets. Cloud migration not only enhances agility but also facilitates the adoption of emerging technologies such as AI, ML, and IoT.

By the way, McKinsey’s report states that the number of IoT-connected devices is around 43 billion (almost x3 from 2018). This surge in growth, fueled largely by lower sensor technology costs, represents a massive opportunity for the manufacturing industry, boosting production flows through improved visibility of shop floor and field operations, as well as the manufacturing supply chain and remote and outsourced operations.

If it weren't already for the crisis in chips and other semiconductor components in China, perhaps the figure would be even more impressive.

Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning

AI and ML are at the forefront of digital transformation technologies, revolutionizing how organizations operate and interact with customers. These technologies enable businesses to glean valuable insights from data, automate processes, and deliver personalized experiences. For instance, Netflix employs ML algorithms to power its recommendation system, suggesting content tailored to the preferences of millions of viewers worldwide.

Or any other social media (Instagram or TikTok — your choice). Their feeds are empowered by AI models to ensure you get interesting and engaging content. Sometimes it goes down: for example, when you suddenly run into Indian songs when staying in the US or other irrelevant content. But it’s only for the time being, and most of the time, the feed doesn’t let you go to sleep.

Blockchain And XaaS

Blockchain technology has transcended its origins in cryptocurrency to find applications in various sectors. Its appeal lies in its secure, transparent, and immutable ledger, which is ideal for enhancing trust and transparency in transactions. The emergence of Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) models, such as IBM Blockchain, simplifies the adoption of blockchain technology. This trend holds promise for industries like supply chain management, healthcare, and finance, where trust and data integrity are paramount.

Overall, it's not just blockchain that will reshape entire industries. The so-called Everything-as-a-Service (XaaS) model allows for significant savings in labor costs, ensuring a lean and efficient business. For example, you have a need to track whether dispatchers are stealing postal parcels in transit. You rent a blockchain where each parcel is logged in a register that cannot be tampered with. And that's without the current costly hiring process: you didn't waste time searching and training a newbie and quite possibly saved money in the long run.

Cybersecurity

As digital transformation technologies accelerate, so does the importance of cybersecurity. With a growing threat landscape, organizations must invest in robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive data and systems. Melanie Kalmar, the CIO at Dow: “Security remains a pressing requirement, no longer assumed but rather a critical aspect of business. All new design requirements must include transactions and intellectual property.” In this case, it is even more surprising that in many organizations, security and compliance are named as so-called “necessary evils.” In other words, time-consuming operations that inhibit initiatives. And you can find room for improvement in this situation.

Palo Alto Networks, for example, offers advanced cybersecurity solutions that protect organizations from evolving cyber threats. Cybersecurity is no longer a mere consideration; it's a critical pillar of business changes, ensuring the integrity and resilience of digital operations.

At these endpoints, companies can employ modern monitoring solutions. At least SIEM (convergent security information and event management) or UEBA (user and entity behavior analytics). The main goal is to ensure a smooth software distribution process as well as compliance with all cybersecurity practices guidelines.

Banking Digital Transformation

Traditional banking institutions are undergoing a seismic shift in their operations. The banking industry is embracing digital trends by offering innovative digital services, forming strategic partnerships with fintech firms, and enhancing customer experiences. Neobanks like Chime or Leobank have emerged, providing online banking services with no fees and appealing to tech-savvy customers. To be specific, their apps allow users to hold the same financial operations but in a more convenient way: send money in the blink of an eye, open an account remotely, etc.

This trend reflects a broader movement in the financial sector towards a digital-first approach, where convenience and accessibility are essential.

The Multi-Cloud System

Imagine the situation. You are a large enterprise, and you have a well-established corporate software architecture on which everything is based. But one day comes — and the vendor dramatically raises the price of keeping your software up and running. You panic and rush around looking for an alternative, but changing an entire enterprise software system in a day is a headache.

Vendor lock-in is a concern for organizations embracing cloud technology. To mitigate this risk and enhance resilience, many businesses are adopting a multi-cloud strategy. It boils down to utilizing software-as-a-service (SaaS) from two distinct companies (for example, Salesforce or Workday).

Multi-cloud technique, on the other hand, refers to running enterprise-grade applications on infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) or platform-as-a-service (PaaS) solutions from various cloud service providers (Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, or Microsoft Azure) in major enterprises.

Note: Multiple cloud providers are used for different aspects of your operations. Adobe, for instance, leverages AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud to ensure robust performance and redundancy. The multi-cloud system offers organizations greater flexibility, redundancy, and the ability to choose the best cloud services for specific tasks.

The Hybrid Work Model

The remote working trend started even before the COVID-19 pandemic. It was just not so visible, and it was just springing up. But this is the coronavirus pandemic that accelerated the global shift towards remote work. However, by the look of things, the future of business and work is hybrid. This model blends remote and on-site work to accommodate evolving workforce preferences and needs. Microsoft Teams, a collaboration platform, has played a pivotal role in facilitating seamless remote and hybrid work experiences. Ironically, one of the most popular platforms for distance meetings, Zoom, is trying to crack down on remote workers. This trend reflects a broader transformation in the way organizations view work, emphasizing flexibility, productivity, and employee well-being.

AI-powered tech trends influence the future of digital transformation

AI, AI, AI… From every nook and cranny, you hear about artificial intelligence. It's become a buzzword. Our AI-based system selects colors for your designs. Our restaurant's menu is AI-created — come taste the technical goodness (or not). Our toilet paper is AI-enhanced, so now your...

We're exaggerating a bit, but you get the message. Nevertheless, we can no longer resist the invasion of AI into our daily lives. So if you don't want to be overwhelmed by the trend, you must lead it. The AI-powered technologies below are reshaping the landscape of industries and reshaping the future of digital transformation.

Conversational AI

Conversational AI, powered by Natural Language Processing (NLP), enables human-like interactions between machines and users. Chatbots, virtual assistants, and voice-activated systems have become commonplace. For instance, Google's Duplex AI can schedule appointments and make reservations over the phone, streamlining user experiences. It's like a pocket helper.

Machine Learning

Machine Learning (ML) is the backbone of AI, enabling systems to learn and improve from data. Two years ago, 76% of US companies made AI and ML a priority over other IT solutions. But keep it calm. Sounds banal, but we should voice it — AI can’t go out of the human knowledge heritage. So there is another point to consider: Artificial Intelligence won't enslave the world; it just can't "think" outside of pre-existing knowledge. And it's all thanks to machine learning. In practice, it underpins recommendation engines, fraud detection algorithms, and autonomous vehicles, such as Tesla's Autopilot, which continually refines driving capabilities based on real-world data. Furthermore, we are now seeing an even more interesting picture: machine learning is now playing a key role in the war in Ukraine. Robots that demine Ukrainian land, defense systems that detect missile trajectories, and tools to prevent cyberattacks on financial institutions.

Deep Learning

Deep Learning, a subset of ML, simulates human neural networks to process complex data. This technology powers image recognition systems like those in self-driving cars and facial recognition in smartphones. Have you had a situation where a doctor handwrote a prescription for you, and you had to retype the prescription on your keyboard to order your medication online? Or, for example, you saw a poster in another language while traveling, and you wondered what it was about. These are the situations where photo recognition and other “side effects” of deep learning can help.

Intelligent Automation

Combining AI and automation, intelligent automation streamlines repetitive tasks and decision-making processes. "As the technology matures and companies face increased pressure to drive down costs through process automation, the use of artificial intelligence to bring increased automation to processes will continue to gain speed," says Martha Heller, CEO of Heller Search Associates. A top-of-mind example is RPA (Robotic Process Automation) tools like UiPath automate back-office tasks, reducing errors and increasing efficiency.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

AR and VR technologies are also revolutionizing industries. The first thing that might drop into your mind is video games. And you are right, but to a certain extent. Healthcare, retail, and even gas stations — there is a sea of successful VR/AR implementation. Oculus Rift, for instance, immerses users in virtual worlds, while AR apps like Pokemon Go overlay digital information on the real world. Another example: a Ukrainian chain of gas stations, WOG, created a New Year's AR video where users could interact with a hipster Santa.

The Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT)

AIoT merges IoT and AI to enhance connectivity and intelligence in smart devices. Smart homes exemplify this trend, where AI-infused devices adapt to users' preferences and behaviors. Well-known security company Ajax Systems utilizes own software for own hardware. To be more serious, the company uses top-notch microchips that align with their OS Malevich. Self-created software helps them to be sure of any processes in their ecosystem. And this actually boosted Ajax Systems to over 150 countries worldwide. By the way, recently, they announced the next Special event where they will reveal new AI tools within their ecosystem.

No-Code AI

No-code AI platforms empower non-technical users to build AI models and applications. Tools like Google's AutoML and Microsoft's Power Platform democratize AI development. Code LLaMA from Meta also breaks into the contest along with GitHub Copilot and other players. As of now, many devs complain about the quality of the end product but can’t help with testing them. We should admit that AI code tools will improve in some time, and who knows, maybe in 5 years, any entrepreneur will have their own app in the blink of an eye.

AI on the Cloud

Cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud offer AI-as-a-Service, allowing organizations to leverage AI capabilities without extensive infrastructure investments. Services like Amazon SageMaker enable developers to build, train, and deploy ML models at scale.

These AI-powered trends are not only influencing the future of digital transformation but reshaping it entirely. Organizations that harness these technologies stand to gain a competitive edge, drive efficiency, and deliver unparalleled user experiences in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

How to lead a successful transformation project

Leading a successful digital transformation project demands a blend of strategic vision, effective execution, and adaptability. But the main point — you must take risks and do things nobody is doing. This is the only way to become a true leader and the shortest way to disrupt your niche. But we can’t leave you without direction; that’s why you can find a lot of examples and best practices in this article. Here are some to add: brief suggestions and examples on how to set digitalization trends

1. Establish Clear Objectives: Define clear, measurable objectives for your transformation project. For instance, Starbucks' mobile order and pay initiative aimed to enhance customer convenience by reducing wait times. Note: the objective should be under the SMART system.

2. Secure Leadership Buy-In: Gain support from top management and leaders who can champion the transformation. Adobe's digital transformation success was attributed to CEO Shantanu Narayen's vision and commitment.

3. Cultivate a Culture of Adaptability: Foster a culture that embraces change and innovation. IBM's transformation journey emphasized a culture shift towards continuous learning and innovation.

4. Data-Driven Decision-Making: Leverage data analytics to make informed decisions and track progress. Walmart's data-driven approach revolutionized inventory management and supply chain operations. Nova Post from Ukraine leveraged in-app analytics and used it to expand the postmate chain.

5. Invest in Talent Development: Build a skilled workforce through training and upskilling programs. Google's "Grow with Google" initiative offers free training to help individuals and businesses acquire digital skills. Also, Google dramatically helps Ukrainians to embrace new knowledge through its courses and accelerators. For example, their course on how to use AI became free for Ukrainian people.

To Sum It Up

The digital transformation future promises exciting possibilities and challenges. As we've explored the trends and technologies shaping this landscape, it's evident that adaptability and innovation are the keys to success. In the words of Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, "We're at an incredible inflection point where the combination of the cloud, AI, and quantum computing will enable organizations to serve their customers in ways we've never seen before."

Yet, digitalization trends are not just about the tools; it's about how organizations leverage them to enhance customer experiences, drive efficiency, and stay competitive.