Why IT Asset Clarity is Key for a Successful Digital Transformation

In the now well-known phrase "digital transformation" lies a wealth of opportunity for those who embrace it. 

Digital transformations have been seen as the next evolution in business strategy since the early 2000s and with good reason. Rapid technological advancements make a digital future more feasible than ever before.  

Companies who take this route are finding themselves better equipped to deal with a rapidly-changing business environment. 

We say 'better equipped' but, to do so, companies must understand their assets and make decisions based on what is best for the future of the company - not necessarily today's bottom line. 

Failure to do this will mean that a digital transformation initiative can quickly waste time, effort, and resources. 

What is Digital Transformation? 

A digital transformation can be defined as a fundamental change in business processes triggered by the adoption of information technologies to become more efficient, agile, and innovative. 

One of the most critical factors in achieving this is having complete knowledge of your IT assets - your existing network, devices, software, and apps. 

The issue currently facing companies is that a digital transformation can quickly become a waste of resources if IT asset management is not at the heart of the initiative. Without full knowledge, it's impossible to implement necessary changes efficiently. 

Why Asset Clarity is Key for a Successful Digital Transformation 

Having full knowledge of your IT assets is integral to successfully implementing any digital transformation - but why?  

Here are some of the ways that a lack of clarity can risk your digital transformation: 

1. A lack of clarity leaves room for wasteful spending. 

In many cases, companies have been working with outdated software and hardware long before leadership considered a digital transformation initiative.  

But simply throwing money at the situation is not the answer - knowing what you have available to work with makes it much easier to decide what your priorities will be. 

Without this information, you could end up wasting valuable resources and time implementing software and hardware that is not even necessary. 

2. A lack of clarity means that there's no cohesiveness in the digital transformation strategy. 

A solid digital transformation strategy relies on a full understanding of what assets you already have at your disposal. This starts with knowing who in the business has access to what. 

Without full knowledge of your IT assets, it becomes much harder to decide who will be responsible for implementing specific changes and which departments will need training. This leads to a disjointed approach that won't lead to the best possible outcome for the business. 

3. A lack of clarity can mean unexpected consequences in future projects. 

Digital transformation is not a 'one and done' kind of deal. Instead, it can happen in waves as technology becomes available, allowing for better service or increased profits. 

Without full knowledge of IT assets, companies may find themselves unable to implement future projects because the necessary software or hardware simply isn't there to support them. This can leave companies dead in the water as competitors outpace them. 

Establish Your IT Assets Before Transformation 

With all of this in mind, it's clear that having complete knowledge of your IT assets is a key part of successful digital transformation. 

Having the proper foundation before starting on any new projects will make the process easier overall and lead to better results for the company. And with complete visibility of everything from software to devices and apps, you can rest easy knowing that your business is ready for any future digital transformation projects. 

Interested in gaining a clear view of the IT Assets in your organisation?

Read more about what we do here.