Digital transformation has been hailed as a gamechanger for the engineering industry – not just raising productivity levels but fundamentally changing how organisations operate and deliver for their customers.
Advanced software can streamline business processes, automate repetitive tasks, use data for accurate decision making and enhance the customer experience, according to IT journalist Yogi Schulz.
He wrote for engineering.com that, “through advanced software, automation, data analytics, and enhanced connectivity… [businesses can] operate more efficiently, innovate faster, and deliver better outcomes.”
Regarding business processes, Schulz argued that engineers currently spend too much time on low-productivity tasks, such as hunting for data and cleaning it for accuracy. However, using tech to handle these tasks not only frees up time for more cognitively challenging tasks, it also better protects against errors creeping in or data being unavailable to others for long periods of time.
Delving into the automation a little more, Schulz wrote that engineers should welcome such a change, not be anxious about it. Software solutions won’t do them out of a job, but instead take on all the menial and boring tasks, freeing the individual up to focus on those requiring more creative or critical thinking. There are also benefits to the company, as these strategic tasks are often the ones that drive growth or revenue – much more than the menial, low-productivity actions.
The accuracy benefits continue in the form of data-driven decision making. Whilst experts in their field may be right with their hunches in the vast majority of cases, it won’t be that way every time. Instead, using vast swathes of data to inform and influence decisions will ensure all the evidence is considered. Ultimately the choice will still fall to human experts – but they’ll be guided by all the information, easily accessed at their fingertips.
Finally, Schulz highlighted the customer benefits that can come from digital transformation, with the likes of AI-powered chatbots, mobile apps and self-service portals providing consumers with the tools they need (and are increasingly coming to expect).
“Digital transformation enables engineers to interact with customers in real time,” he explained, “providing faster responses to inquiries, better product recommendations, and more personalized experiences.”
