• Swindon & Wiltshire Experts
• Wednesday March 12 2025
• Author Name: Layla Cockburn

Taking the steps from digitisation to digital transformation

Digital transformation: What is it, and how can it benefit your business? Layla Cockburn, of document management specialist Filestream explains.

In the technology world, there is a lot of talk about ‘Digital Transformation’. I know there will be many of you who have no idea what that means, and frankly, I completely understand.

Digital Transformation is looking at a business holistically and coming up with a plan to utilise digital software, platforms and tools to bring about change including efficiency, cost savings and also it can change culture and job roles within a business.

While the phrase may sound like a grouping of buzz words which can make smaller businesses feel alienated, in reality it is the natural follow-on from digitisation and the digitalisation of work practices. In most cases it simply builds on an evolution which is happening within most businesses, large and small:

Stage 1 – Digitisation is the simple conversion of physical information into digital format eg. paper into PDF or into a digital document. Finding and sharing information becomes easier, but processes mimic old analogue methods.

Stage 2 – Digitalisation this involves the use of digital data and technologies to improve processes and make established ways of working quicker and simpler.

Stage 3 – Digital Transformation – this is the strategic move. It’s not just ‘how do we do things faster’ but ‘how can we use our technology to adapt our business processes and do things differently to keep our customers happy and engaged.’

The Netflix factor – a great example:

Netflix, the global streaming giant is a very clear example of a brand which has gone through this process.

It started off as an off-the-shelf video and DVD rental service. You would have films and TV series delivered to your door.

Now, it is a global service with libraries of digital content that are available on people’s personal devices and driven by recommendations curated by the users’ preferences.

It has gone from digitisation, to digitalisation, and finally seen a digital transformation as it makes users’ data – through what they click and how much they interact with the format – to enhance a customer experience of their platform. It knows what you like to watch and pushes it towards you to keep you subscribing.

Another example of harnessing data to change business practices is moving to pro-active helpdesk services. These services are like those offered by @Viadex global. Rather than having an IT team ‘waiting’ for reports of faulty equipment, product updates and performance issues – this system enables data to be analysed to identify problems before they are raised as an issue. This means that support can then be offered in a more proactive manner.

Digital Transformation is not something only applicable to big business, it’s a shift in work practices that is happening across the world. From the street vendor to Netflix.

Every business and organisation will have to embrace this to keep a competitive edge as digital technology is advancing and continues to play even bigger roles in our everyday lives.

Brands need to keep up, or risk falling behind.

Key signs your company needs a digital transformation:

• Stagnant Growth.
• Your digital channels (website, social media, email, e-commerce, etc) are not delivering value.
• A fall in repeat business.
• Outdated technology and lack of data insights.
• Competitors innovating more rapidly than you are.
• Declining customer satisfaction.

I know it can sound quite daunting and this digital transformation strategy requires a lot of thought from people across the entirety of an organisation.

The easiest starting point is digitisation and then digitalisation. Eliminate paper first! Automate business processes! Gather intelligent data! All of which will help you take those first steps to digital transformation.

And if you don’t know where to start or how to start… a good Document Management System can help you. You’ll be set for your business transformation.

Layla Cockburn, is operations director at document management specialist Filestream Ltd