DRIVING BUSINESS INNOVATION THROUGH MODERN APPLICATIONS
Explore how digital transformation fuels business innovation by aligning IT with strategic goals, modernizing applications, enhancing internal capabilities, and strengthening cybersecurity. This approach helps organizations build resilient, future-ready digital platforms.
Driving Business Innovation through Modern Applications
On 1 September 2021, Ian Jansen van Rensburg, Director of Solutions Engineering and Lead Technologist at VMware SSA, engaged the VCI Transformation Forum in a pivotal discussion about the evolving role of IT in modern businesses. With over 25 years of experience and an ongoing master’s degree in Digital Transformation from the University of Hull, Ian brought a deep and pragmatic understanding of how companies can leverage technology to achieve business excellence.
Understanding Transformation from the Ground Up
One of the central themes Ian emphasized is that digital transformation should begin with a clear understanding of business objectives, brand identity, and customer needs. Too often, companies allow external vendors to drive transformation without first establishing a strategic framework. This misstep can lead to infrastructure choices that are misaligned with the company’s core needs, ultimately disrupting the path to meaningful innovation.
Creating Alignment Between IT and Business Goals
For IT to become more than a basic infrastructure provider, companies must establish mechanisms such as digital committees or centers of excellence. These bodies should facilitate alignment between IT strategies and business imperatives. Ian cited Sibanye Stillwater as a successful example of this approach. By embedding digital leadership into their corporate strategy, the company has demonstrated a commitment to innovation at the executive level.
Modernizing Applications to Stay Competitive
Modern applications are no longer optional. These scalable, multi-cloud solutions can run on various devices and platforms, offering flexibility and performance. However, transitioning to these technologies requires deliberate application of modernization strategies. This may involve re-platforming, re-hosting, recoding, or re-architecting applications. Without this modernization, companies risk falling behind their competitors and missing out on opportunities to innovate.
Skill Development Remains Fundamental
While many companies believe cloud providers can fill all skill gaps, Ian argues that internal technical capabilities remain essential. Organizations need a blend of technical experts and strategic innovators who can collaborate to guide digital transformation. Executive leaders must cultivate this balance and foster environments where technical and strategic personnel can work together.
Choosing the Right Platform and Encouraging Diverse Approaches
Modern business leaders struggle with identifying the most suitable platforms for specific applications. Ian likens successful organizations to a blend of “city planners,” who bring structure and stability, and “cowboys,” who drive experimentation and innovation. Both roles are necessary, and leadership must create spaces that encourage both order and creativity.
Mitigating Cybersecurity Risks
As businesses adopt modern applications, cybersecurity risks increase. Ian cautions that the assumption that cloud providers alone will handle cybersecurity is misguided. Responsibility is shared, and executives, including CEOs and board members, must understand their IT environments to manage threats effectively. Internal threats, such as negligent or malicious employees, are becoming increasingly common and require proactive management.
Ian further highlights the critical role of the HR department in this context. HR, in collaboration with IT, must ensure that employees are educated about cybersecurity threats such as phishing and are trained to recognize and report risks. Empowering employees with knowledge creates a more secure digital environment.
Building a Future-Ready Digital Platform
The shift to remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores the need for flexible and accessible technology infrastructure. Companies must now ensure that their data and services can move seamlessly between cloud environments. This requires not only the right technology stack but also strategic planning and a commitment to continuous innovation.
It is a business transformation process that requires strategic vision, cross-functional collaboration, application modernization, cybersecurity awareness, and a commitment to innovation. Companies that embrace these principles will be better positioned to thrive in an increasingly digital and dynamic global economy.
