Sami Thobali, MBA, SMD
Recently, the concept of digital transformation is spreading at all levels, whether individuals or businesses, and I thought that this technical term is closely related to technical projects, but after attending one of the introductory lectures presented by the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce recently entitled "(digital transformation lecture for leaders and pioneers of the private sector)"
And I discovered that it is a general and comprehensive term that covers the change in lifestyle at all levels in the era of digitization, how?
Let us begin with a review of the great civilizational eras that have arisen on the surface of the globe from the beginning of history to the present day, to the extent that all of them are associated with the following:
- Ancient civilization and associated with the creation of man and creatures
Civilization and associated with the invention of the machine
The present digital civilization and it is related to communication and communication technologies
The transition between these civilizations is what is meant by transformation. To simplify the idea of the transformation between these civilizations and down to the digital transformation, let us take the example of a "mobility service" to clarify the concept of transformation more easily
The human being in ancient civilization used to move on vehicles using animals, and the invention of the wheel was the creative element in that era and in the civil era since the invention of the steam machine this service turned to the use of cars and trains instead of the vehicles that animals pulled and this is called mechanization and reflects the era of mechanical transformation
Now let us delve deeper into the digital transformation. After using the trains and cars, now we have digital transportation methods such as “Uber and Cream”. The main element in this transformation was not just the use of technology but the benefit of the communications revolution where all human and non-human things are connected to each other by the Internet as if it were a number.
I think now beginning to illustrate the concept of digital transformation
I may start by defining it as follows:
It is to take advantage of the information and communications revolution to provide services and products in an innovative way that generates a distinct experience at all levels
Let's go back to the car, car and Uber
If they assume that the steam engine was placed on the horse’s back that pulls the carriage, this will not be considered a transformation, and the machine will not be used to improve the customer’s experience. Likewise, if a computer was put inside a car and it is being driven by the computer only, then this also will not be considered a digital transformation
The digital transformation is based on the exploitation of communication and information between all parties to the transportation service, namely the passenger, the vehicle and the owner of the vehicle (the driver). This technique enabled the passenger to know the cars available for transportation and the owner of the vehicle from having a request for his service and the vehicle by evaluating it and its location.
Not only that, but this current situation with Uber or Karim will only be the first stage until a person’s need for a transportation service is sensed according to the analysis of his behavior in advance using artificial intelligence to reach a car that is driven automatically and knows his destination in advance.
Here we touched upon artificial intelligence, which is one of the possibilities of digital transformation, which includes
- Culture where the parties accept the digital year in society
Governance, in which it controls the use of information and organizes and legislates laws of transformation
Innovation is the most important component of this transformation
Technology and computing are an important and not the most important component
- Constant communication and exchange of information, and here we see the importance of the fifth generation networks
Artificial Intelligence, which is an essential pillar for the future of digital transformation, which will be entirely dependent on automation, which increases efficiency and reduces costs.
-Information Security
The talk goes on and I hope I provided a simple idea about the concept of digital transformation
I reiterate my thanks to the Chamber of Commerce employees for setting up a workshop that built the concept of digital transformation in my imagination.
My next article is how to start your digital transformation.
Sami
