You're not alone on your journey to digitize your business

"Digital transformation" is a term that's increasingly common in business spaces. But what does it mean for your organization?

According to The Enterprisers Project, "Digital transformation is the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, fundamentally changing how you operate and deliver value to customers." More succinctly, digital transformation is the act of integrating your business with the online world. Digital transformation services are the companies and people who can help you take that vital step.

Interested in bringing your business online, maximizing your profits, and improving communication with clients? Consider these digital transformation solutions.

Find the best next steps for your company in Digital Transformation: A Guide for Modern Businesses.

The basics of digital transformation services

It's getting easier to bring your business into the digital world. In fact, there’s never been a better time to learn the basics and get a feel for which digital transformation solutions may work best with your business and budget. Here are a few helpful resources to help get you started.

• Looking back to go forward: One important part of digital transformation is the journey to paperless operation. Fortunately, many major businesses have already made pioneering efforts toward going truly paperless. Read our summary to learn how corporations as diverse as American Airlines, Pfizer, and Nike made the switch.
• Finding your path: Want to find the right direction for your business before you start investing in digital transformation tools? Read our free ebook, "The New Path: A Digital Transformation Roadmap for Modern Businesses." Inside, you’ll find best practices to follow, key innovations to prioritize, and other advice. It'll help you get a feel for the practical steps of building a digital framework for your business.

Did You Know?:Our executive guide to digitalization in business has even more tips to help you turn analog workflows into digital ones. Click here to learn more.

Digital transformation companies: How to find a fit

You may need an extra hand if your business is large or especially dependent on analog workflows. Fortunately, digital transformation services can help you chart the best course.

For instance, if you have questions about digital transformation solutions for your business, a consultant may have the answers. Consider hiring a dedicated partner to help you through the transition as cleanly as possible. A consultant or service can help you build a digital platform that customers can use with ease. Plus, these professionals can apply their expertise to help identify issues before they arise. That could save your effort and time in the long run.

Here are two areas to pay attention to as you look for help.

Prioritize your business needs

There are hundreds of digital transformation consultants out there. Narrowing things down might feel overwhelming. Some consultants specialize in digital transformations for particular types of businesses, for instance. Prioritizing your industry and how your particular business works will help you stay on top of the process.

For instance, do you have sensitive data that needs extra security? Look for a consultant who specializes in data lockdown. Are you a restaurant owner who wants to offer food delivery and pickup services via app? Search for a digital transformation agency with a track record of success working with similar eateries.

Work with concerned employees

Change can be hard to deal with, especially if you’re used to the old way of doing things. Without proper communication and expectation setting, your clients may be frustrated by delays or interruptions. Employees may say they liked the old way of doing things since they knew how it worked. It’s up to you to keep a long-term view in mind as you deal with growing pains.

Business owners can lead from the top by showing patience and empathy in these situations. "Making the shift [to digital transformation] requires connecting worker experience to business outcomes," writes Deloitte Digital Workplace Leader John Brownridge. "By putting workers at the center of design, it becomes possible to create a digital workplace that transforms how people collaborate, get work done, and do business."

Let employees share problems, ask questions, and vent frustrations. Ensure you or a trusted representative are close to the digital transformation process to answer questions. Furthermore, the employees dealing with these systems every day are often the best subject matter experts you could ask for. Make sure their voices and concerns are heard throughout the process.

Did You Know?:The Ricoh Scanner Service was a Gold Winner in the 2024 Titan Business Awards, recognizing its commitment to customer service in IT. Click here to learn more.

Tools for a smooth digital transformation

Working with digital transformation services can make a big difference. So can using tools that were professionally made for digital transformation. Here are three types of investments your business may wish to consider:

• Mobile platforms: Digital transformation should account for the rise of remote work. Once your business goes digital, employees may be able to mix working from the office from home to create value wherever it works best for them. Ensure they have the tools they need to be effective anywhere. For instance, you could provide company devices, or encourage a healthy bring-your-own-device culture with a stipend to upgrade older (and less secure) personal phones.
• Cloud services: With digital transformation comes an important question: Where should you store your data? Many third parties will host your data for a monthly rate, including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. Compare rates and ensure their offerings will be able to grow with your business.
• Document Scanners: Taking your organization from an analog state to a digital one means digitizing your paper documents. If you have a lot of paperwork to scan and upload, consider a scanner designed to process large batches of paper with minimal employee intervention. The RICOH fi-8170, for example, can scan up to 70 pages per minute, with an expected daily volume of 10,000 sheets.

Searching for the right partner to help your company make its digital transformation? At Ricoh, we have decades of experience helping small businesses and large enterprises digitize their processes. We’re ready to assist with practical advice on potential partners to assess, steps to take, and tools to consider.

Contact our experts today, and we’ll help you find a solution that works for your business.

Note: Information and external links are provided for your convenience and for educational purposes only, and shall not be construed, or relied upon, as legal or financial advice. PFU America, Inc. makes no representations about the contents, features, or specifications on such third-party sites, software, and/or offerings (collectively “Third-Party Offerings”) and shall not be responsible for any loss or damage that may arise from your use of such Third-Party Offerings. Please consult with a licensed professional regarding your specific situation as regulations may be subject to change.