Ensure that the underlying technology infrastructure (e.g., cloud platforms, networks, security) can support the new digital initiatives.
It would be weird to have a series on Digital Transformation and not share something related to technology. So let’s not make it weird. :)
As companies look to leverage new technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data analytics to improve business processes, increase efficiency, and better engage with customers, a solid technology infrastructure is absolutely essential. After all, even the most cutting-edge applications and systems are useless if the underlying infrastructure can’t support them.
So what should you consider when evaluating your technology infrastructure for digital transformation initiatives? Here are some key factors to focus on:
Cloud Platforms
Moving to the cloud is often a fundamental part of the technology infrastructure change within digital transformation journeys. The scalability, agility, and cost-effectiveness of cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud can provide the perfect foundation for deploying new software and applications. As you transition more of your workloads to the cloud, ensure that you have sufficient network bandwidth to handle the increased data flow. Also, implement robust cloud security measures like encryption and multi-factor authentication—more on security later.
Networks
Today’s digital initiatives rely heavily on fast, reliable networks to connect assets across locations and enable real-time data analytics. Your organizations technology infrastructure has to be able to meet or beat these demands. Consider upgrading old network equipment like routers and switches that may throttle speeds. Shift to faster network protocols like 5G where applicable. The goal is to eliminate latency and ensure high availability across the network, even during peak usage. Consider implementing SD-WAN to intelligently route traffic through the best performing channels.
Data Centers
While the cloud is great for agility, on-premises data centers still have an important role to play in digital transformation. Look to modernize your data centers with fast servers like all-flash storage arrays, hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI), and GPU compute power for AI applications. Make sure your data center architecture is scalable to accommodate growth. Utilize containers and microservices to deploy workloads faster across on-prem and cloud environments.
Security
Digital transformation significantly expands the threat landscape with more data flowing across more networks and devices. A breach can be absolutely devastating for customer trust and business operations. That’s why security needs to be a top consideration before deploying any new technology. Some best practices include implementing zero-trust network access, employing encryption and firewalls across networks, requiring multi-factor authentication, and maintaining an incident response plan. We’ll cover cybersecurity considerations for digital transformation in more depth in a dedicated, upcoming post.
Integrations
A final key technology infrastructure consideration for digital transformation is integrations. New applications must integrate with legacy systems and each other for seamless data sharing and workflows. API-based integrations that use modern protocols like REST and JSON are essential. Similarly, your infrastructure must support real-time data streaming from IoT devices and applications via protocols like MQTT and WebSockets. Invest in integration platforms and microservices architecture to efficiently connect everything together.
With these infrastructure considerations in mind, you can feel confident that your organization has the foundation to support current and future digital transformation initiatives. Of course, requirements will vary by industry and specific use case. Work closely with infrastructure and operations teams to assess your unique needs. Be ready to scale and evolve the infrastructure continually as new technologies emerge. With robust and adaptable infrastructure, the possibilities are endless for leveraging digital transformation to drive competitive advantage and business success in the modern era.
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