Not too long ago, Chinese language tech big Huawei introduced a number of AI initiatives that may grow to be a part of its digital transformation partnership with Saudi Arabia. Comparable information is coming from different international locations, from the Japanese digital transformation minister asserting the need of the reform to Azerbaijan asserting its transition to paperless authorities operations. These are only a few examples of the rising development illustrating that digital transformation performs a rising function not just for companies searching for revolutionary methods to enhance their efficiency, however for the entire nation. Alexandre Fernandes, an IT advisor with over a decade of expertise that features working for multinational corporations corresponding to Hewlett Packard, Manhattan Associates, and JPMorgan Chase & Co, shares his view on the ideas of digital transformation and the function AI can play in it.
In a nutshell, digital transformation is a means of using novel applied sciences to enhance an organization’s efficiency by way of streamlining enterprise processes, automating routine operations, and enhancing buyer expertise. Alexandre Fernandes notes that he finds inspiration in the potential for utilizing software program code to unravel real-world issues.
Nevertheless, focusing solely on the technical facet of the initiatives isn’t sufficient. Every revolutionary thought can have a clearly outlined objective, and the profit it brings to the enterprise, and it needs to be developed and elaborated with the specifics of the promote it operates. “For a digital transformation to be successful, it is crucial to define the problem at hand clearly through gathering and analyzing requirements,” he provides. This method makes it doable to develop options that may deliver real-world advantages to the shoppers.
His profession consists of a number of examples of placing this method into observe. Whereas engaged on enhancing the warehouse administration system for one of many largest attire corporations, Alexandre Fernandes refactored the applying code for parcel processing, which ultimately helped to chop order processing time by over 30%, permitting the workforce to meet extra orders in a shorter time. That is an instance of how digital transformation and implementation deliver tangible advantages to the corporate.
One other precept Alexandre Fernandes finds obligatory to say is the significance of teamwork. Whereas it may be simple to give attention to the technological features, a profitable digital transformation requires interplay between a number of groups and contemplating how the corporate operates now. For example, it isn’t sufficient to switch printed documentation with paperless processes, as you additionally want to show staff to make use of these new processes and make them perceive why this extra effort is required from them. With out collective effort and balanced teamwork, innovation danger stays on a floor stage solely and doesn’t translate into actual change and efficiency enchancment.
Right here is without doubt one of the vivid examples proving the significance of teamwork from Alexandre Fernandes’s expertise. He was consulting a monetary service firm within the USA, which on the time was dealing with issues of delays in processing person requests. The foundation of the issues turned out to be the truth that there was one workforce liable for each new characteristic enhancements and resolving current points. Consequently, the latter was pushed again attributable to decrease precedence. Alexandre Fernandes recommended making a devoted workforce, which might focus totally on customers’ points. Finally, it helped to scrub out the backlog and lower the requests’ turnaround time by over 70%. This instance highlights the concept having the precise assets isn’t sufficient: an organization wants to make use of them the precise manner, arrange the interactions between groups, and allocate assets correctly for the best consequence.
Alexandre Fernandes emphasizes that the power to determine productive teamwork and to remain centered on life like and concrete objectives are of no much less significance than technical data. In 2024, he participated within the judging panel on the Globee Awards for Know-how, a number one enterprise and expertise awards present that draws companies and people from everywhere in the world. He notes that of all of the nominees he has evaluated, those that are in a position to improve their skilled expertise and data with their smooth expertise, teamwork and open-mindedness usually tend to win the award.
It’s also vital to recollect, that, whereas the idea of digital transformation isn’t new, its panorama consistently evolves. New applied sciences emerge bringing new alternatives, and it might be tempting to attempt them out with out a lot consideration of their inherent dangers and advantages. The concern of lacking a development and being surpassed by rivals can result in rushed and ineffective innovation. To keep away from that, one must develop a deeper understanding of the expertise in query. For instance, there are a number of functions behind the time period “AI and machine learning”, from chatbots serving to with buyer interactions to predictive analytics changing into a part of the provision administration system. Every of them needs to be thought of individually, in reference to the present wants of the corporate.
All through his 14 years of working in Software program Engineering and IT Consultancy, Alexandre Fernandes amassed a various expertise of creating software program options for real-world issues. He highlights that it doesn’t matter what applied sciences are added to the pool, the precept of specializing in real-world firm wants stays the identical. Since 2019, he has labored at Publicis Sapient IT consultancy as a Senior Affiliate, constantly increasing his data and expertise over a number of domains, which is one other key to success within the quickly evolving realm of digital transformation. He provides that one wants distinctive problem-solving expertise and the power to shortly grasp new applied sciences and incorporate them of their course of, to supply purchasers with environment friendly software program options.
