The right partner can help your business digitize existing records, digitalize your workflows, and embrace a digital future

Digital transformation can help your business operate more efficiently and improve customer relations. However, this process can require a great deal of time, technology, and effort. This is where a digital transformation partner can be a huge asset. Rather than transforming your whole organization in-house, you can contract a third-party company to assist with the process. Doing so can help you digitize your old records, digitalize your existing workflows, and prepare your staff for a digital future.

Companies have been helping businesses undergo digital transformations since the 1980s. And today, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have many options when choosing a partner. The best digital transformation partners can draw upon their experience to make the transition easier. With their help, you can streamline your operations, scale your business, and embrace a digital future.

What to look for in a digital transformation partner

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that digital transformation is not a standardized process. Every business operates differently. That means every business must take a unique approach to the process.

Before you find the right digital transformation partner, you should have a good idea of which processes you need to change. You should also know what you want your digital workflows to look like afterward. Consider these recommendations as a starting point rather than a definitive list.

Expertise

Expertise is certainly one of the most important characteristics to consider when choosing a partner. You’ll want to contract a company full of knowledgeable, experienced professionals. They should understand the entire process of digital transformation. Start with some online research about the company. If it has a modern, functional, well-maintained website and an active social media presence, that’s a good sign.

When you talk to company representatives, ask them to explain digitization and digitalization. See whether they have any unique ideas for your business, or whether they try to digitalize every company the same way. Describe a hypothetical analog process and see how they would modernize it. Most importantly, find out whether they’ve done this before.

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Track record

The easiest way to gauge a potential partner is to examine its previous work. If a company has a proven track record of empowering digital transformation for other businesses, there’s a good chance that it can do so for yours, too.

Explore customer success stories and case studies available online. Learn about the successes and challenges of your potential partner’s projects, and see how they’ve transformed organizations of similar size, scope, and purpose. If you can, connect with some of their previous clients to find out firsthand if the digital workflows delivered on their promises. These insights can guide you toward making an informed decision.

Cultural fit and alignment

A digital transformation partner won’t be a permanent part of your workforce. As such, cultural fit may feel like a low priority. Still, if you can find a partner with a similar business culture to your own, the whole process should be easier.

If your business has a particularly long and proud history, partnering with a disruptive startup that thrives on dismantling what they see as outdated might be jarring for everyone involved and lead to conflict. On the other hand, if you’re willing to move fast and break things, a partner that’s willing to make bold changes can help give everyone confidence in a time of change and transition.

In other words, look for a partner whose attitude, methods, and outlook align with yours. The right cultural fit can ensure that your digital transformation is not only effective but also harmonious.

What to avoid in a digital transformation partner

We’ve talked about what to look for, but what might you want to avoid in a digital transformation partner? If you notice any of these red flags while dealing with a potential partner, try to gather more information. Then, consider whether the company is really a good fit for your business.

• Lack of knowledge: Not every digitalization company has decades of experience. But the representatives should still be knowledgeable, confident, and well-trained. Avoid companies that give vague answers or unrealistic promises. Favor those that can give clear, concise explanations in layperson’s terms.
• Negative reputation: No company has a perfect track record. But if your potential partner has more misses than hits — or if you can’t find any positive feedback at all — you’re not likely to be satisfied with the results. Look for companies with at least a few concrete success stories within your field.
• Lack of communication and compromise: Lay out clear expectations for what you want your company to look like at the end of the process. Plans change and strategies shift, but if a potential partner is overly controlling and isn’t open to any sort of conversation, it’s not a good match.

How to choose a suitable partner for success

Choosing the right digital transformation partner requires time, effort, and money. But if you’re at the beginning of your search, the following steps should help you succeed:

• Define digital transformation for your business: Digital transformation looks different for every business. Before you contract a third party, take the time to map out what success looks like for you and your organization. Be aware that your vision may change along the way, and that’s okay! A good partner will be flexible and adapt with you.
• Set a budget and a timeline: Undergoing a digital transformation means setting a reasonable budget. Some partners will provide a one-time solution while others offer ongoing services. Consider the pros and cons of each approach.
• Research and meet with potential partners: At the end of the day, it’s a good idea to have a sense of who you’re working with. Even the highest quality machinery and software can’t match the human factor when it comes to business relationships. Use web searches, customer reviews, or just plain word of mouth to learn about the organizations you consider partnering with. Whenever possible, ask to meet with your potential partners in person, via video chat, or at least over the phone. This lets you ask specific questions and gauge a company’s attitude, expertise, and professionalism.
• Take time to weigh the pros and cons: Make sure to give yourself the mental space to make a considered decision. After you’ve met with your list of potential partners, weigh their strengths and weaknesses, costs and benefits, pros and cons. Examine the details carefully so you'll feel confident in your final decision.

Our recommendation: RICOH

Those in the market for a digital transformation partner have no shortage of options. We take great pride in having spent the last 50+ years researching, designing, and developing some of the most advanced and powerful electronics in the world, including our professional grade fi and SP series of scanners.

Built to purpose for the most demanding document handling jobs, fi and SP scanners are capable of processing tens of thousands of pages per day at the highest levels of accuracy. Their intuitive integration capabilities with all existing work suites minimize time-to-value for businesses looking to invest in tools that will pay dividends for years to come.

That’s why we’re confident enough to offer a free Ricoh Solutions Architect consultation that can offer smart, cost-effective solutions tailored to your business — all without any high-pressure sales tactics. And once the heavy lifting is done, our expert services keep your organization going strong. Book an assessment today and let us get to know you!

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