Month: September 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern business and collaboration, SharePoint has emerged as a powerful platform that empowers organizations to streamline their workflows, foster efficient teamwork, and manage content effectively. 

Despite being around since 2001, SharePoint shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. SharePoint’s popularity has only increased as the year progresses. It has successfully established itself as one of the well-known enterprise applications in the market in recent times.  

Today, two out of three enterprises work with SharePoint, and more than 50% of Fortune 500 companies have and use SharePoint to streamline their operations.  

With more than 350,000 companies around the world now using SharePoint, active users have grown by over 90 per cent, and the data stored in SharePoint by 250 percent, in the last year alone reports Gartner.  

Collaboration among teams is vital for a company’s success. Organizations require tools that can enable them to work together seamlessly, share knowledge, and streamline processes. SharePoint has become one such powerful and versatile platform that has emerged as a go-to solution for achieving these goals.  

For more in-depth insights on SharePoint Migration approaches and best practices, please refer to our exclusive whitepaper resource.  

In this blog post, we will discuss how adopting SharePoint can improve productivity and collaboration within your organization. 

WHY SHAREPOINT? 

There are three ways to implement SharePoint: On-Premises, Cloud, and Hybrid. With SharePoint, you can collate, store, and manage all organizational documents in a single location. SharePoint can help improve productivity and eliminate versioning issues during file editing and sharing. It streamlines the process, making it easier and more efficient. 

Teams can brainstorm ideas and complete tasks by collaborating on projects, sharing documents, and communicating effortlessly through SharePoint. SharePoint’s user-friendly interface and features like discussion boards, calendars, and task lists promote collaboration, enhance productivity, and ensure alignment among team members. 

SharePoint supports the creation of custom workflows, web parts, and extensions. Moreover, it integrates with Power Platform, which provides low-code tools for building custom business applications and automation solutions. This flexibility empowers organizations to adapt SharePoint to their evolving needs and leverage its capabilities to their fullest extent. 

SharePoint security is a multi-layered platform designed to protect your data from unauthorized access, tampering, and leakage. Your data will remain safe and compliant with industry standards when stored in SharePoint. By implementing the appropriate security practices, educating your teams, and leveraging SharePoint’s advanced security features, you can confidently protect your valuable data and collaborate securely within your organization. 

SharePoint contains a nifty feature called workflow that automates the coordination of tasks such as project approval. This automated movement of documents or items works by a set of instructions and parameters known as business logic. By streamlining and automating specific tasks, workflows save time and energy, allowing you to focus on other critical tasks. 

ADOPTING SHAREPOINT 

Adopting SharePoint for your organization is not just about bringing in a new tool; it is about changing how teams within your organization collaborate, share knowledge, and manage critical tasks. Before embarking on a journey towards SharePoint Migration, here are some considerations to help you start: 

It is essential to define clear objectives before adopting SharePoint, such as streamlining document management, improving team collaboration, or enhancing knowledge sharing. These objectives will guide your adoption strategy. 

Effective SharePoint adoption requires leadership support. Communicate benefits and ROI to executives, emphasizing alignment with strategic goals. 

SharePoint can be complex, so invest in training programs for users. Provide both basic and advanced training sessions to ensure everyone can use SharePoint effectively. 

Develop user-friendly guides, FAQs, and tutorials that users can reference as they navigate SharePoint. These resources will ease the learning curve. 

Begin with a pilot project or a specific team to test SharePoint’s capabilities. Gather feedback and make necessary adjustments before rolling it out to the entire organization. 

Establish governance policies to maintain control over SharePoint. Define roles and responsibilities, permissions, and content retention policies. 

Continuously monitor SharePoint adoption using analytics and user feedback. Identify areas that require improvement and adjust accordingly. 

SharePoint adoption is an ongoing process. Regularly revisit your objectives, gather feedback, and make improvements to ensure they remain aligned with your organization’s evolving needs. 

SHAREPOINT ONLINE VS. SHAREPOINT ON-PREMISES 

SharePoint Online and SharePoint On-Premises are two different deployment methods for SharePoint.  

SharePoint Online is a cloud-based version of the application. It offers easy access, automatic updates, and maintenance without the need for any local infrastructure. 

In contrast, SharePoint On-Premises is hosted and maintained on an organization’s own servers, providing more control over customization, security, and performance, but requiring in-house IT resources for management and updates. 

Let us explore their unique features for better understanding.  

Starting with SharePoint Online, here are some of its benefits: 

Coming to SharePoint On-Premises, here are some key points that can help you decide: 

SharePoint is a multifaceted tool that offers significant value to collaboration, document management, and business process automation.  As you become more proficient with SharePoint, you can delve deeper into its advanced features and customize it to fit your organizational requirements.  

Remember, SharePoint is a dynamic platform, meaning there is always something new to discover and leverage for greater productivity and efficiency. 

To learn more about how SharePoint Migration can help you and your organization, visit our website and book a free consultation with our team of experts today! 

References: 

1. Gartner Magic Quadrant. (Source: Garner) 

2. The Most Surprising SharePoint Statistics And Trends in 2023. (Source: Gitnux) 

Businesses today are competing to make the most out of the $3 trillion opportunity that Cloud-based platforms present in EBITDA.  

A crucial factor to consider when moving to the cloud is the resilience of applications, as the maximum of the cloud value lies in running business-critical operations.  

Cloud provides a stable on-premises environment with faster recovery time, more compliance and upgraded tools that provide optimal resiliency capabilities. Companies must design, architect, and adopt appropriate resiliency patterns to meet their specific requirements and to leverage these cloud capabilities. 

Cloud resiliency patterns are targeted towards reducing technical debt, automating operations, and equipping applications with cloud capabilities. 

Understanding Cloud Resiliency  

Cloud resiliency is the capability of cloud infrastructure to maintain high availability, reliability, and fault tolerance even during unexpected disruptions such as hardware failures, network issues, or natural disasters. It is the backbone of an organization’s digital operations, ensuring that critical services and data remain accessible at all times. 

Amid rapidly evolving customer expectations and regulatory demands, leaders and industry professionals have expressed genuine concerns over ensuring that their critical applications are always functioning and available.  

The reason that few companies have moved their critical applications to the cloud can revolve around these concerns. A survey of leaders and technology experts revealed that only 10% successfully moved their critical and mission-based processes to the cloud.  

Want to move to the cloud? Download our exclusive Cloud Migration White paper for detailed insights.  

Cloud-related issues can be tackled by conducting two crucial analyses:  

The first analysis can help determine the financial and reputational impact on the business. Organizations often tend to underestimate or overestimate these costs, which leads to inconsistencies in the decision-making process.  

The second analysis helps businesses determine the on-premises operations-related costs compared to the cloud-related expenses. Cloud-based solutions are often more cost-effective and flexible, which allows them to accommodate usage surges and their pay-as-you-go model. 

To derive cost benefits, leaders must ensure that their applications are designed well, their infrastructure is well developed and configured, and the lifecycle of the existing hardware is also considered.  

Organizations can avoid expensive capital investments and hardware-related costs by migrating critical operations into the cloud, especially before any major changes in their hardware structures. Strong Fin Ops capabilities are required to acquire and build on these insights.  

Why Is Cloud Resiliency Important? 

Cloud resiliency is fundamental for business continuity. Downtime can lead to significant financial losses, damage to reputation, and customer dissatisfaction. Cloud services minimize downtime, helping businesses stay operational in all circumstances.  
According to a survey conducted by Gartner, organizations that rely on cloud technology for over 75% of their backup and recovery requirements can expect to reduce their overall cost of business continuity and disaster recovery by 60%. ( 3) 

The cloud allows businesses to scale their resources up or down as needed. A resilient cloud infrastructure ensures that this scaling happens seamlessly, enabling organizations to meet sudden increases in demand without service interruptions. According to a Forbes survey, since 2020, 83% of companies have been managing their workloads in the cloud. (2) 

In the event of a disaster or a hardware failure, cloud resiliency plays a crucial role in disaster recovery. Data replication, backup, and redundancy strategies implemented by cloud providers help safeguard data and applications, allowing for quick recovery. A survey by the Disaster Recovery Journal found that 46% of organizations using the cloud for disaster recovery reported faster recovery times. (4 ) 

Security is a significant aspect of resiliency. Cloud providers invest heavily in cybersecurity measures, protecting against cyber threats and data breaches. It enhances the overall resiliency of cloud-based systems. 

Companies that can provide uninterrupted services have a competitive advantage. Clients value reliability and are more likely to choose firms that can guarantee their services will be available when needed.  
Forbes reported that 74% of Tech Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) believe cloud computing has the most measurable impact on their business. (5) 

Resilient Cloud infrastructures can adapt to changing business needs. They enable organizations to expand their digital footprint and implement new technologies without disruptions. 

How Can Cloud Providers Help With Resiliency? 

Cloud providers deploy redundant hardware and network frameworks across multiple data centres. When one data centre experiences an issue, traffic can be accordingly rerouted to another, minimizing disruptions. 

Cloud providers often replicate data across multiple geographic regions. It ensures data availability even if a specific area faces a disaster or outage. 

Load balancing distributes incoming traffic across multiple servers, preventing overloads on any single server and ensuring high availability and performance. 

Cloud services are architected with automatic failover mechanisms. If a server or data centre experiences a failure, services are automatically shifted to a healthy one, reducing downtime. 

Cloud providers regularly monitor their infrastructure and services. They use advanced monitoring tools and artificial intelligence to detect issues and send alerts to administrators. 

Critical Steps To Take Towards Cloud Resiliency 

To launch cloud resiliency, companies must be aware of potential risks and equip themselves with the required resources to mitigate them.  

Here are five critical steps to adopt cloud resiliency: 

Cloud resiliency is vital for ensuring the availability, reliability, and security of digital services in an increasingly interconnected world. It not only safeguards businesses against disruptions but also enables them to thrive, innovate, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.  

Consequently, it is a key consideration for organizations when selecting cloud providers and designing their cloud-based solutions. Businesses that harness the power of the cloud’s resiliency are better prepared to deal with disruptions and continue delivering their services without hindrances. 

For more insights on Cloud Migration and Top Trends in the Cloud, please refer to our informational video on Top Cloud Native Trends to Watch in 2023.  

References: 

  1. McKinsey
  1. 83% Of Enterprise Workloads Will Be In The Cloud By 2020. (Forbes) 
  1. Source: Gartner 
  1. Source: Disaster Recovery Journal  
  1. Roundup Of Cloud Computing Forecasts, 2017. (Forbes) 

Digital transformation is not just a technological upgrade but a holistic rethinking of how a business operates, interacts with customers, and remains competitive in the digital age. It requires strategic planning, investment, and a commitment to ongoing adaptation and improvement.  

A study by Gartner reveals that 91% of businesses are involved in digital initiatives, with 87% of senior business leaders saying digitalization must be a priority for all organizations. (1)   

People can interpret the term digital transformation in many ways. It basically means bringing technological capabilities to a process or an entire organization for competitive advantage, improved customer experience and lower operational costs. Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics are some technologies used when adopting digital transformation initiatives.  

Digital transformation needs consistent long-term efforts to completely transform organizational operations, address improvement areas and upgrade tech capabilities.  

It correlates largely with the terms digitization and digitalization:    

The Gartner IT Glossary describes digitization as changing from analog to digital form, also known as digital enablement. In other words, digitization takes an analog operation and changes it to a digital format without any different-in-kind changes to the process itself.  

Transforming all manual data into digital data to eliminate paperwork, conveniently store data, and reduce human errors is called digitization. Tasks such as scanning financial records and storing them as PDFs on a computer or cloud server are digitization.  

The Gartner IT Glossary explains digitalization as using digital technologies to change a business model and provide new revenue and value-producing opportunities; it can be defined as moving to a digital business.  

Digitalization means automating business operations to enhance efficiency and profitability. For instance, incorporating intelligent process automation to improve tracking, communication, and version control of creative projects is an example of digitalization. It involves a fundamental re-evaluation and restructuring of how you conduct your business, which includes digitization and digitalization.  

Expanding on the role of automation in digitalization, Georg Tacke, CEO and Annette Ehrhardt, Global Head of Communications and Marketing Senior Director at Simon-Kutcher & Partners, believe “Digitalization increases process efficiency and enhances data transparency along with giving your top line a boost. If a company operates an online platform, then the company may already be 80 percent digitalized. It gives way for increased efficiency and customer value by remaining 20 per cent of the way.”   

HOW IS DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION DIFFERENT FROM DIGITALIZATION?  

Digitalization and digital transformation are two different concepts. An organization can carry out digitalization projects that involve automating processes and using digital tools.  

However, digital transformation is not a project to be undertaken in isolation. It is a customer-focused strategic plan that requires an organization-wide change and the implementation of digital technologies.  

Digital transformation comprises several digitalization initiatives, but leaders and company executives are under the false impression that digital transformation only involves digitalization. It is a grave strategic mistake on their part.  

Digital transformation is a complex process that changes how an organization operates. It involves developing a change mindset and making transformation a core competency as the enterprise becomes customer-driven end-to-end. This agility is essential for ongoing digitalization initiatives but should not be confused with them.  

Each stage of the process, from digitization to digitalization and digital transformation, is necessary but insufficient for the next level of the rewiring process. Understanding the distinction between these terms is crucial for organizations that want to embrace digital transformation and thrive in the digital age.  

Now that we have clearly defined each of these definitions. Let us look at some of the capabilities we must tap into for a successful digital transformation:   

To learn more about Digital Transformation best practices and strategies, download our exclusive Case Study resource for detailed insights.  

For insights on Change Management Approaches, please download our Change Management Strategy resource for improved implementation.  

ROLE OF AI IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION   

The role of Artificial Intelligence, especially Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) is significant in the digital transformation process. A clear understanding of specific business requirements and goals is a prerequisite to derive maximum benefits from these technologies.  

With the influx of new technology trends, it is easy to get sidetracked. We must focus on the potential value derived from these technologies to meet specific organizational requirements.  

To leverage Generative AI capabilities, organizations require essential components for digital transformation. They need a well-defined strategy, expertise, and a responsive and scalable operating model. Generative AI also requires constant re-evaluation of roadmaps and prioritized solutions for updated models to support business objectives.  

HOW TO START YOUR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY   

To embark on a digital transformation journey, here are a few factors to keep in mind-   

DETERMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION   

After undergoing the process of Digital Transformation, it is necessary to assess if the transformation is adding value to your organization.  

Here are three key performance indicators to determine its effectiveness:   

Digital transformation is no longer a choice but a prerequisite for businesses that want to thrive in the digital age. By embracing this transformation, you can better meet customer expectations, gain a competitive advantage, and achieve operational excellence.  

Start by defining your vision, assessing your current state, and building a dedicated team. By incorporating the right strategy and commitment, your organization can reinvent itself for the digital future.  

Are you ready to embark on your digital transformation journey?  

At InovarTech, we believe in the 3i principle: Inspire – Ideate – Innovate. Listen to our story on how we can handhold you in your Digital Transformation journey till benefit realization.  

Book a meeting with us!  

For detailed insights on Inovar Tech’s Automation initiatives, best practices, and strategies, please refer to this informational YouTube Video on Revolutionizing Business Efficiency: Process Automation Case Study. 

References: 

  1. Where and How to Target Your Digital Business Transformation
  1. Gartner Information Technology Glossary.

Automation and AI have changed how organizations conduct operations these days. As businesses continue to adopt automation within their operations, they are also using AI to enhance their strategies. 

A study by Gartner Inc. reveals that 80% of business leaders believe AI-powered automation can be integrated into any business strategy.(1) 

This power duo promises to boost productivity, minimize errors, automate manual tasks, accelerate decision-making via predictive analysis, enhance customer experiences and detect outdated patterns. These technologies collaboratively promote innovation and efficiency and help achieve unprecedented productivity within existing operations.  

AI-powered automation is making a significant impact across various sectors, offering a wide range of benefits. Some key areas where AI is driving positive change: 

Personalized Product Recommendations 

AI algorithms analyze user behavior and preferences to offer tailored product recommendations. This not only enhances the customer experience but also boosts sales and engagement. 

Anomaly Detection in Operations 

AI can quickly identify unusual patterns or anomalies in large datasets. This is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and addressing issues before they escalate. 

Fraud Detection 

AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data in real-time makes it a powerful tool for detecting fraudulent transactions. This not only saves companies money but also protects customers from financial harm. 

Advances in AI 

The latest generation of AI technologies is improving classification (sorting data into categories), estimation (predicting values), and clustering (grouping similar data points). This leads to more accurate insights and decision-making. 

Added Value 

As AI continues to evolve, it promises to deliver even more value to companies. Improved accuracy, efficiency, and scalability mean that businesses can leverage AI for a broader range of applications and achieve better results. 

How Has AI Evolved Over The Years? 

In recent years, AI has made significant leaps in natural language processing, machine learning, computer vision and robotics. Translating and giving out customized responses to human speech, image analysis, forecasting patterns based on operational data, and independently navigating environments are some capabilities of newer AI models. This evolution is due to AI’s advancements in data collection, processing, algorithms, and access to vast training data sets. 

Hindrances AI and Automation Present Us With 

Data and Algorithm bias, privacy constraints, lack of comprehensive data and cyber security risks related to automated decision-making are some hindrances AI and Automation present us with. Despite automating manual tasks, they raise numerous concerns around privacy, security, and the digital divide, especially during crucial processes like the development and deployment of credit processing systems or creating healthcare treatment plans. 

The Indispensable Role of AI and Automation 

Despite the hindrances, companies can leverage the powerful combination of AI and Automation in numerous ways- 

Precision 

One of the primary advantages of Automation and AI is their ability to ensure accuracy across all operations. These technologies can perform repetitive tasks at an accelerated speed. From data entry to quality control, they can help significantly in reducing errors and increasing overall output quality.  

Enhanced Decision Making 

AI goes beyond automation and provides valuable insights that can assist in making smarter decisions. By analyzing massive volumes of data in real time, AI can detect patterns, trends, and correlations that may not be noticeable to humans. It enables businesses to make informed decisions promptly, optimizing processes and allocating resources efficiently. 

Scalability And Flexibility  

As your organization expands and grows, your workload will also increase. Scaling up operations can involve extensive logistical tasks; this is where AI and Automation step in to make your job easy. These technologies offer unparalleled scalability, allowing you to handle increased workloads without proportionally adding to your workforce. Additionally, automation can be customized to fit specific business needs, ensuring adaptability in an ever-evolving market. 

Reduced Human Efforts 

AI and automation minimize human efforts by taking care of routine, manual tasks, enabling employees to focus on activities that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. This shift aids in the development of a more skilled and competitive workforce. 

Uninterrupted Operations 

Where human efforts end, AI and Automation take over. Businesses can maintain continuous operations around the clock, even across different time zones. These technologies benefit industries that require constant surveillance, like cybersecurity. 

Customer Centric Approach 

AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are changing the way businesses interact with customers. All these tools offer immediate responses to customer queries, enhancing the overall customer experience. AI analyzes customer data, helping organizations tailor their offerings to individual preferences, resulting in greater customer satisfaction and loyalty. 

Competitive Advantage 

Incorporating AI and automation technologies is not just about keeping up with the latest trends, it is also about gaining a competitive edge. By embracing these technologies, businesses can become leaders in their domain, offering faster, more efficient, and higher quality products or services. 

To effectively implement AI and automation throughout an organization, it is essential to establish a well-defined strategy, allocate dedicated resources, and promote innovation and adaptability. Additionally, safeguarding data privacy and security should be of utmost priority, and employees may require training to acclimate to new technologies and processes. 

The advantages AI and Automation bring to productivity and efficiency are undeniable. These technologies are no longer a luxury; they have become a prerequisite for businesses aiming to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world. By harnessing the power of AI and Automation, you are not just streamlining operations – you are paving the way for a future where unprecedented productivity and efficiency reign.  

So, why wait? Download our exclusive case study for best practices and implementation strategies. Let us help you embrace these technologies for accelerated business success.  

References:

  1. Gartner Survey Reveals 80% of Executives Think Automation Can Be Applied to Any Business Decision.