Fragmented business systems, siloed data, and manual processes stifle growth, and are forcing companies to consider IT modernization, if they haven’t already. Organizations are demanding a technological foundation that enables flexibility, agility, and visibility. Cloud computing is the accepted business architecture of today and tomorrow, and with it organizations are free to focus on innovation, rather than be burdened by the maintenance of hardware and software.
Your IT Modernization Journey
When considering how to best approach IT Modernization, the voice of the organization is pivotal in the decision-making process. Vendors continue to develop more user-friendly systems and list out “best practices” that may not be suited for your company’s unique business needs, compliance requirements, or the expectations of your people. Mapping a company’s business processes and data flows are critical steps along the IT Modernization journey. A selection team must gather the opinions of end users to ensure that new software decisions will be well-accepted, while simultaneously selecting tools to the fit the needs of the business. Listening to the voice of the organization also helps overcome one of the main challenges associated with IT modernization projects — change management. Identifying power users, including them in the modernization process, and showing them that their voices matters, will greatly benefit organizational adoption in the long-run.
Users of today’s technology look drastically different than they did ten years ago, which also impacts your IT modernization approach. Mobile everything is a key mantra in our everyday lives, so it should come as no surprise that mobile access is an expected feature of our business systems. This market shift has led to system vendors developing on-the-go capabilities and applications accessed via the cloud, and has left organizations with the challenge of establishing governance policies around mobile usage.
What to Expect from New Tech
To keep up with increasing consumer demands, like mobile anywhere access, system vendors are incorporating various changes into their offerings that include:
- Developing tools that leverage today’s technology — smartphones, tablets and desktops
- Creating easy to use, intuitive modules that reduce the slope of the learning curve
- Developing enhanced cloud security and stability protocols
- Integrating various social platforms into their software
The business systems landscape continues to evolve, and even the next five to ten years will look very different from today, as new and exciting technology is released to the marketplace.
Selecting the Right Tools
For your IT modernization to be worth its investment, the software solutions you select should align with the needs of your business, and have capabilities that will optimize organizational change. The modernization of systems is a signal that the market is shifting, however, the latest technology isn’t necessarily the right technology if it doesn’t fit with your company’s business processes or people. Each software company is unique, so choose vendors who have demonstrated the flexibility to adapt to today’s ever-changing business environment.
The Key to a Successful IT Modernization
No matter what software and tools you end up selecting, it’s is important to understand that embarking on any IT modernization journey is a multi-year endeavour that will not only impact your technology, but also your people, processes, philosophy, and culture. Scoping out the entire project, but implementing it in multiple phases, could significantly reduce the risk of compliance and productivity disruptions. If you don’t have the in-house expertise to take on a project of this magnitude, consider engaging with an experienced IT consultant like Withum.
Withum has over 20 + years of experience helping companies rethink how work gets done using today’s latest technology. We assist clients with the development of IT modernization plans, and as a Firm we are uniquely qualified to work with organizations to transform operations to be flexible, scalable, and able to rapidly accommodate multiple lines of business. IT Modernization is imperative for those looking to invest in cloud-based systems now, before the full effects of using legacy technology is compounded to a point where it becomes unmanageable. The intent of Withum’s consulting services are to develop a path to IT modernization that better serves long-term business objectives, and promotes customer visibility and satisfaction. Our IT modernization approach includes:
- The establishment of a Current State of technology
- An alignment on the Future State, and
- A presentation of a series of technology options + a roadmap designed to increase productivity and efficiency
In addition to a technology roadmap, we help identify opportunities to improve and streamline core business processes in preparation for future initiatives.
If you’re ready to talk about what an IT modernization might look like at your organization, give us a shout. Contact us online, or call us at (240) 406-9960 to speak with a Digital Workplace consultant today.
