From a technology maturity point of view and the general direction that innovation is taking, digital transformation is considered the top priority for businesses. However, there are challenges and it takes an experienced, highly skilled managed service provider to help clients overcome hurdles that hamper technical progress. Management at Integr8 were asked recently what their stance towards barriers in business transformation is. “The company has always been an advocate for growth and digital transformation and one of our main objectives is to help our clients revolutionize their systems to become successful,” says Jan Roux, CIO at Integr8.
 
“But, by default this also means acquiring a level of agility that offers businesses access to the latest solutions and the very best available skill sets to ensure that their digital strategies add value from day one,” Roux  continues. There are certain fundamentals about the ICT sector that make it a challenging environment to operate in – particularly if businesses do not upgrade their infrastructure and keep ahead of local and global trends.
 
“Trends such as Cloud, Internet of Things (IoT) and big data analytics is changing the business landscape in a major way; with issues like triple play and collaboration forcing companies to adapt their strategies immediately,” he adds.
 
“Digital transformation and agility in operation is the end-goal, but actions that are taken to achieve this must be consistent and deliberate. Strategies should be calculated, systematic and in line with business requirements,” Roux says. One of the biggest hurdles of successful digital transformation, particularly for smaller operator, is the pace at which technology is changing and evolving.
 
There have been a number of developments that have helped to shape the ICT and telecommunications space. As an example, Roux points to the “increase in connectivity speeds (improving all the time)”, the uptake of tablets and smartphones, cloud computing and virtualisation. “These are considered disruptive forces because they can’t be ignored by any credible venture, irrespective of size or focus. They will impact on operations, on processes and procedures – they must be embraced and brought on board,” he adds.

According to Integr8 the advent of cloud computing, virtualisation and hosted infrastructure & services, smaller businesses don’t have to invest large amounts of capital in their own technology & infrastructure, but can rather leverage off larger infrastructures from companies that offer this as a service.
 
“This will allow smaller companies to have access to the best technologies they require, while at the same time growing rapidly,” Roux concludes.