Navigating Digital Transformation Projects
Charting the right course to digital transformation takes careful planning, preparation and optimization.
Digital transformation takes most telecommunications providers into uncharted territory. The shift to software-based, virtualized networks deployed in cloud environments, coupled with the more systematic use of interactions over digital channels and the real-time automation of business processes in the back office, completely changes how service providers build networks, deliver services and engage with customers. At the same time, increased competition from web-scale companies is diminishing how relevant service providers are to their own consumer and business subscribers.
In this rapidly changing market, service providers know that they need to change how they operate. But many hesitate on where, when and how to start. Netcracker's customers have been asking a lot of big questions lately about how they should evolve their networks, update their business and operations systems, go to market with new services, create better ways to attract customers and keep existing subscribers happy. And, based on our experience in implementing and managing core IT applications that support critical business processes, we have the answers.
With our expertise in consulting and executing on major business transformations, Netcracker helps customers every step of the way – from establishing the earliest idea to perfecting the finished product. The best approach to transformation projects is through planning, preparation and, finally, fine-tuning and optimization.
- The first thing to do in any large project is to make a realistic plan that can be executed successfully. It’s critically important that service providers clearly define a project's requirements together with the IT partner(s) so that the most effective solution can be developed. These requirements need to be well understood throughout the organization—and the actual business users in particular. This is where an expert advisory service can spot and avoid potential problems, such as highly customized solutions that may be difficult to implement or make the project cost more than expected. Another classic pitfall is to expect massive improvements a few short months after the first delivery, rather than years, and to front-load the most critical requirements.
- Next, the entire organization needs to be prepared for the transformation. That means understanding the implications for all of the business processes that will be affected by the new system that’s going into production. This involves learning new business processes, training staff, helping the organization adopt the solution and ensuring end-customers have high-quality services and related customer experience during and after the transition.
- Finally, it’s important to look at how to optimize operations once the new system is in production. There are a lot of minor improvements that can be made on the systems and processes—and through personnel training—that can make the new system even more effective and result in more return on investment. These improvements can be achieved without having to increase capital expenditure.
For any kind of digital transformation project, it’s important to have a partner that will be with you every step of the way – from the initial conceptualization to project's assessment, implementation and post-production support. It’s only with this holistic approach that transformation projects can reap substantial business benefits. Netcracker has honed its consulting and system integration skills over many years, and we can help you through digital transformation every step of the way.