*By Fábio Jardim
Implementing emerging technologies in some departments or even digitizing a small part of the processes does not mean that the company has, in fact, embarked on a journey of digital transformation.
And more worrying than not joining this evolution is just starting it inappropriately, generating silos of modernization that don't even talk to each other.
The fact is that even today, many organizations do not know where to start and, pressured by demands from different areas, end up adopting specific solutions. The implementation of different technologies in a fragmented way imposes, in the medium term, a series of challenges: it requires training teams in different systems, makes management more complex and even increases security risks. Not to mention the difficulty of integration, which also makes the structure more susceptible to failures and the costs that result from all the other items mentioned above.
For these and other reasons, it is essential to take a broader look when talking about digital transformation. It is necessary to draw up a plan, a strategy that will guide the actions. Instead of having several connectivity technologies, for example, the company must choose one or two based on which it will build its applications.
This logic must be replicated to the other layers that make up the infrastructure (data, devices, etc.). With well-defined layers, the company is able to build its applications in a more secure, scalable, integrated and efficient way.
In this scenario, the choice of a partner that can guide this more holistic view is a critical point, and must be based on its experience, knowledge and credibility.
Digital transformation is continuous and there is no recipe for cake, so it is necessary to look at the reality of the company in order to detect the most appropriate and impactful solution for its needs, looking at this within a broader spectrum. It is not just about implementing a Wi-Fi solution, for example, to solve a connectivity issue, it is about observing how this solution will support the applications that will emerge, developing each project within a larger context.
Therefore, the first step to promote what we call digital transformation is to evaluate the entire existing environment, identify the critical points that must be automated and the need to digitize various aspects of the operation.
The pace of this transformation and its complexity will depend on the company's level of technological maturity, easily identified in an initial assessment.
The assessment will serve as a starting point for designing the journey that comes next. A thoughtful, planned and integrated trajectory, which considers all the technological layers – the devices and their connectivity, the platform for managing and processing data and devices, and the applications of data and artificial intelligence. Cutting paths, to have a “silo” solution, could lead you to a “trap”.
*Fábio Jardim, senior technology manager of the IoT business unit at Logicalis Brasil
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
EN 
PT 
