Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 44 | Page 38

business ‘‘ TALKING //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Machine Learning (ML) to these data resources and use algorithms to find patterns in business transactions where we weren’t even looking for them to drive new business outcomes. This can be a virtuous circle because workflows can be tuned and changed based upon the new insights uncovered. The business process you didn’t know about The best work processes are very often the ones that you follow, but that you didn’t even know about. If we define digital workflows and build our operational models around them, then we can increase productivity and create great experiences for employees who want to work anywhere and at any time. As these new freedoms play out in the workplace, firms need to think about the unknown factors. Unbridled and unrestrained innovation is all very well, but the problem with custom-built point solutions is that they often do one thing well, but fail to provide scope for enterprise- wide scalability or an ability to integrate across the entire organisation. If we think about platform-level technologies, we can build that innovation factor into software that is digitally native to the cloud era and so ready for a more structured approach. Because these applications have been built in a digitally native territory, they will be able to leverage fully integrated native device capabilities, such as maps, cameras and so on. “ WE CAN INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND CREATE GREAT EXPERIENCES FOR EMPLOYEES WHO WANT TO WORK ANYWHERE AND AT ANY TIME. The virtuous circle of workflows lives where, then we can more easily react to change and uncover new streams of profitable operation. Digitising workflows means we can use defined data where it has the right impact, but also channel unstructured data to the data lake. If we hinge our business models around digital workflows that define what data But even the information in the data lake need not go to waste – we can apply 38 INTELLIGENTCIO A lot of employees have to take actions throughout the day that move the organisation forward, but often these same actions prevent them from doing high-value work. It’s time to transform old, manual ways of working into modern digital workflows, so employees and customers get what they need, when they need it. Create a joined-up experience Kicking off digital workflow initiatives and getting your transformation started can be a real challenge and, as a result, many companies struggle to even start their efforts. First of all, we all have disjointed internal systems and processes that make it hard to connect the dots. Trying to navigate these can feel like unravelling a ball of yarn, so the more you learn, the more complicated they seem. Once you make sense of the systems and processes, you have to figure out the myriad tools and solutions that drive these. The end result you should be aiming for is a common, workflow-driven experience layer that is consistent across the systems in your organisation. Your typical company employee might still be more likely to discuss holiday plans, managerial peeves and whether or not the associate in accounts is being a pain about expense reports, but the water cooler conversation around ‘how is your workflow?’ is coming. Are you digitally hydrated yet? n www.intelligentcio.com