Digital Transformation is the process of transforming a business from one state to another - from a state where businesses operate in Human time, to a state that operates in Digital time and finally to Future time. Businesses today must digitally transform in order to compete in all three of these time continuums simultaneously.
Let’s first identify these different time continuums:
- Human time – time governed by our physical, biological and mental limitations as humans
- Digital time – time governed by computing, networking and data transmission speeds
- Future time – time governed by predictive analytics, algorithms and artificial intelligence
Human time cannot compete with Digital time in a mobile and always connected world. Human time cannot deliver the real-time mobile and online commerce speeds that digital consumers require. For example, you can’t have a human responding to mobile search queries, or mobile payments, rather you need optimized information logistics systems (OILS) that are integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) enabled bots responding automatically in digital time.
Digital time refers to the speeds at which computer systems and networks operate. The goal being to reach speeds as close to real-time as possible by optimizing each connected system, component and process that touch data.
Future time is faster than real-time. It is the ability to anticipate needs, take actions and deliver content even before it is requested. It is the ability to automatically prepare for the future in a manner that adds value.
An OILS running in Future time, utilizes predictive analytics, algorithms and AI to provide an experience that anticipates the needs of the user in a manner that makes it nearly invisible to the user. For example turn-by-turn navigation supported by real-time traffic updates that route you around obstacles and problem areas. An OILS, running in Future time, can prepare personalized and contextually relevant experiences in advance.
I had the opportunity to work with a large global automotive system manufacturer this year. We explored extending traditional automotive systems to operate in Future time. They would integrate multiple external databases including traffic accident and insurance information, plus real-time weather and traffic information to automatically prepare the vehicle and driver for the road ahead. We were reaching into the future to provide additional value and a competitive advantage.
Future time delivers value from the future. It works in a time beyond “real-time.” This is the evolutionary nirvana for human to digital interactions. Businesses that have not digitally transformed in a manner that can harvest value from the future have no possibility of competing there.
Follow Kevin Benedict on Twitter @krbenedict, or read more of his articles on digital transformation strategies here:
- Digital Hope and Redemption in the Digital Age
- Digital Transformation and the Role of Faster
- Digital Transformation and the Law of Thermodynamics
- Jettison the Heavy Baggage and Digitally Tranform
- Digital Transformation - The Dark Side
- Business is Not as Usual in Digital Transformation
- 15 Rules for Winning in Digital Transformation
- The End Goal of Digital Transformation
- Digital Transformation and the Ignorance Penalty
- Surviving the Three Ages of Digital Transformation
- From Digital to Hyper-Transformation
- Believers, Non-Believers and Digital Transformation
- Forces Driving the Digital Transformation Era
- Digital Transformation Requires Agility and Energy Measurement
- A Doctrine for Digital Transformation is Required
- The Advantages of Advantage in Digital Transformation
- Digital Transformation and Its Role in Mobility and Competition
- Digital Transformation - A Revolution in Precision Through IoT, Analytics and Mobility
- Competing in Digital Transformation and Mobility
- Ambiguity and Digital Transformation
- Digital Transformation and Mobility - Macro-Forces and Timing
- Mobile and IoT Technologies are Inside the Curve of Human Time
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Kevin Benedict
Senior Analyst, Center for the Future of Work, Cognizant
Writer, Speaker and World Traveler
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***Full Disclosure: These are my personal opinions. No company is silly enough to claim them. I am a mobility and digital transformation analyst, consultant and writer. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.
