What Is Digital Technology?

How is digital technology different from regular technology? And how can you use digital technology to grow your business? 

Digital technology has changed the way we live. From remote working to online shopping, apps, and social media. Businesses are taking advantage of this shift to achieve new levels of success.

Many companies are also failing to leverage new technologies. You need to know what you’re investing in to get the most out of technology investments. 

Consider this your comprehensive guide to digitalization, the benefits of using digital technology, and how to overcome digital adoption challenges.

Digital technology refers to electronic tools or automatic systems designed to store and process data. Thousands of processes every day are possible due to digital technology. Examples of digital technology include smartphones, social media, online games, and multimedia.

Compared to analog technology, digital technology enables storing vast amounts of data. Electronic tools process and transmit digital signals much faster. Without this data, we couldn’t communicate, learn or work in the same way. 

Digital technology transforms every facet of daily life. But, what are the real benefits of using new technology?

What Are The Benefits of Using Digital Technology?

The goal of all technological progression is to improve a process. Digital technologies are no different. Digitalization means making processes more efficient, scalable, and more beneficial to end-users. 

Organizations have different reasons for adopting digital technology depending on their goals. But for all companies, digital technology helps enhance operations and improve workflow. Business processes become more efficient. This allows an organization to scale up or expand to new business models or domains. 

Here are some of the main benefits of implementing digital technology:

1. Better Data Collection

Digital technology optimizes data collection and analytics. You can store or process data on a larger scale at a quicker pace. Faster data transmission speeds also mean faster analysis. You gain better customer insights for launching customer-centric strategies for growth.

Moving from analog to digital data is vital to the digital revolution. Companies can get on board or get swept away by digital progression.

2. Creates a Digital Culture

When leaders support their employees with comprehensive training, they see the benefits of digital tools.

And when stakeholders see a company-wide collaboration effort, they’ll seek out digital alternatives to improve the business.

3. Increased Profits

Technology investments are time-consuming and expensive. Getting the most out of technology investments means making the right decisions. A successful digital adoption strategy increases engagement with new systems and business processes. User engagement is the most significant determiner of a positive return on investment.

4. Agility

Keeping up with evolving demands is difficult in the digital age. Digital technology improves business operations, allowing leaders to prepare for what’s next. Mapping technology progression means a company can make changes quickly to avoid stalling the adoption process.

5. Improved Customer Experience

Digital technology also aims to enhance the customer experience through new services like apps or websites. Digital communication networks improve the relationship between a business and its customers. Improving a business will also trickle down, improving the end-user experience. 

6. Increased Productivity

When used correctly, new software can transform workflow. Tasks become much easier, productivity rises, and employees reap the benefits. Providing comprehensive training on new systems will also make work more efficient.

What Are The Challenges of Digital Technology Adoption?

Organizations worldwide are wisening up to the pace of technological progress, but many are struggling to keep up. To stay ahead of the competition, many businesses turn to digital adoption. 

Digital adoption is part of a more extensive process known as digital transformation. The term refers to using new technology to meet the evolving demands of a highly digital world. Digital adoption is more specific. 

Digital adoption is the process of leveraging new technology like software, apps, or websites to improve a business. It’s all about getting the most out of digital solutions. 

The process emphasizes the human element of technology adoption. It involves encouraging adaptability by transforming a company’s attitude to new technology. 

It’s not enough to throw shiny new software into a workplace and hope for the best. Companies need to prepare to adopt new technology. This could mean training employees on new tech, developing a segmented strategy for every department, and incorporating change management to guide everyone through the process. 

Ensuring users adopt new technology is crucial to avoid wasting valuable time on expensive technology investments. 

With that said, here are some common challenges of digital adoption.

Inadequate Change Management Strategy

Change management is the process of guiding your workforce through a transformation. A successful strategy involves adequate training, supporting employees, and encouraging collaboration. 

Change management also means having a solid implementation plan. Businesses are less likely to adapt to new technology without a comprehensive strategy.

Complex Software & Technology

Software designed to manage enterprise-level tasks is bound to be complex. Leaders make the mistake of rushing into a new software purchase, neglecting to consider how end-users will operate new systems. 

Digital adoption platforms (DAPs) offer a solution to this problem. A DAP software program integrates with a chosen system to streamline the training process. They provide virtual learning environments to simplify digital learning. Digital adoption platforms guide tech-shy users through key tasks at a customized pace.

DAPs also reduce onboarding time, remove the burden on IT teams and provide insight into the transformation process. In the early stages of the process, it’s also important to outline how you’ll introduce complex technology into the workplace.

Driving Adoption of Contemporary Tools and Processes

Some employees struggle to integrate with new systems. They fear the unfamiliar and feel unsupported in learning to use new digital tools. Resistance to digital adoption from end-users is one of the most common reasons for a failed strategy.

The solution is inclusive onboarding training and consistent support. Leaders should communicate the benefits of using a new system to motivate employees to embrace change.

Continuous Evolution of Customer Needs

Successful businesses understand that customer needs are constantly evolving. Cultural and societal changes impact the demands of customers. The COVID-19 pandemic was a clear example of how quickly expectations can develop.

Digital adoption is an ongoing process. Leaders need to prepare to adapt their strategy if necessary.

Inadequate Digital Transformation Strategy

Investing in new technologies without a plan for using them within your organization is a recipe for disaster. You have to ask, what are you trying to improve through new technology? Does your organization need a complete overhaul, or will new software integrate with current systems?

A targeted and projected approach to digitalization will make success much more likely.

Lack of adequate IT Skills

Organizations fail to apply the right talent in the right areas during their adoption process. Challenges are likely to crop up no matter how prepared you are. An IT team can also oversee the integration process, help manage cybersecurity efforts and handle data analytics.

The necessary talent depends on the needs of the company. What kind of technology is being implemented? Does your business need talent with extensive scientific or engineering knowledge? Or personable IT leaders with the right communication skills? Answering these questions will help you target your recruiting efforts.

The Different Types of Digital Technology?

Digital technologies are all around us. You experience the benefits of digitalization every day.

Examples of digital technology:

• 3D Printing
• Social Media
• Video Streaming
• 5G Data
• Cloud Computing
• Digital cameras
• Digital clocks

Digital or computerized devices range from small technologies to more complex transformational technology.

The internet contains many examples of digital technology. It’s one of the most valuable tools we have to communicate, learn and work. The internet has created endless opportunities for digital connectivity.

Companies can sell their products worldwide and reach customers in new ways. The internet has also given rise to alternative digital methods of work.

Mobile phones are an example of an accessible digital device that has changed the way we live. Mobile phones also contain other tools like digital cameras, calculators, and maps. It’s hard to imagine a world without digital communications like mobile phones.

Technology will look very different in the future. Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises to be the catalyst for the next technological revolution. As Artificial Intelligence technology improves, machines will take over more areas of our work. This sounds dystopian, but automation is a good thing. It means companies can focus on other areas of work.

Why is Digital Technology Important?

During the Pandemic, millions of workers began working remotely, a challenge no one could have foreseen. Some organizations panicked, and some took the opportunity to empower their workforce. Remote or hybrid working wouldn’t be possible without video conference software. 

Digital technology was the reason that millions of workers stayed working. Businesses managed to keep afloat by adapting to new technology. Gartner’s research suggests that ‘The pandemic has sped up digital transformation as organizations fundamentally change their business models.

So, why should you care about new technology? Because it could save your company one day. Organizations can’t predict how they’ll react to future challenges. The only thing they can do is be flexible. Digital technologies make this possible by creating a culture of change. 

Employees embrace new developments in software and business processes during the adoption process. They start to understand how it will improve their work. An organization’s structure also becomes more versatile. They become better equipped to deal with disruptions. 

This is why digital technology is so important to the future of your business.

Reach New Heights With Digital Technology

Digital technology is crucial for guiding a company through challenging times. But it also creates opportunities for tremendous growth. 

As outlined throughout this guide, new technology aims to improve a process. This improvement takes many shapes, from workflow to employee behaviors to business operations. 

There can be many challenges to overcome during the transformation process. One of the first obstacles you’ll encounter is resistance to change. Remember, you’re asking your employees a lot by expecting them to change the way they work. 

Learning a new software system is hard enough, but users struggle more when they don’t see the benefits of new technology. The solution is to communicate how new technology will positively impact them. 

Incorporating a digital adoption platform also makes the process much more effective. User onboarding and training become more efficient, and you can track the process as you go. This allows you to adjust based on what works and doesn’t. 

Listen to the ones using new technology when introducing it into the workplace. This is how you’ll know it’s working if users engage. 

Now that you know the benefits of digital technology, we hope you’ll use this information to grow your business to new heights.