The Drive to Digital

More than ever, a solid technology foundation is essential for an increasingly digital world

BY ED ROWAN

BUSINESSES TODAY are more reliant on technology to advance digital transformation as part of their IT planning. This strategic direction, according to 84 percent of executives polled for a 2020 Harvard Business Review study, is a basis for new business opportunities and growth.

For some, digital transformation is a direct result of a simple need to upgrade infrastructure. For others, customer expectations–internal and external–drive change and operational efficiencies that can outpace competitors.

However, current and future achievements stemming from digital transformation can’t be accomplished without a solid foundation of flexibility, performance, and affordability. Equally important are the right technologies that make this foundation work, and businesses that understand and adopt this approach will have greater opportunity for success.

Technologies Driving Digital Transformation

For any business, the cloud has become an essential element to any digital transformation strategy, providing the power to handle more compute-intensive operations–helping reduce on-premise systems and services. Services-based cloud offerings have become the de facto standard for companies looking to increase efficiencies and reduce infrastructure costs while keeping up with the demands of their business.

Software-defined networking (SDN) also adds a layer of visibility and intelligence to help organizations manage their networks more effectively. Together with software-defined networking in a wide area network (SD-WAN), SDN adds flexibility through centralized and integrated management of network functions.

SDN, SD-WAN, and the cloud are technologies that together bring intelligence, flexibility, and power to network-edge, the area where a device or local network interfaces with the internet and where most customerfocused activity occurs. Network-edge applications have the potential to empower employees to make impactful decisions and enable greater interaction between customers and organizations.

Data is another important asset, and harnessing analytics can help uncover upside opportunities, areas needing improvement, and assist in deciphering and understanding feedback within the data.

Increasingly, businesses already are turning to the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to not only provide intelligence but enable new opportunities or lines of business. These data-intensive applications can be a boon to companies aiming to improve internal processes, enhance customer experiences and more.

A Solid Foundation Powers Digital Transformation

Whether working to streamline internal operations, providing new services to exceed customer expectations, or exploring new opportunities, companies need technology to advance their business. However, the promise of digital transformation cannot be realized without a solid foundation. In building this foundation of performance, flexibility and affordability, companies will benefit from a greater chance of success in digital business.

Of course, aligning with a proven partner to establish a sound foundation for today and the future is critical, and Comcast Business offers a suite of connectivity, communications, networking, cybersecurity, wireless, and managed solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next.

Ed Rowan is senior director of Comcast Business sales operations.