Digitalization and digital transformation have become very popular terms in recent years. For enterprises, digital transformation has become an indispensable part. Many enterprises are actively researching and implementing digital transformation. However, many people are not very clear about the specific connotations and differences between informatization, digitization and intelligence. In the literal sense, informatization, digitalization and intelligence do represent different meanings, but in practical applications, they are often used confusedly. Although these three words are used interchangeably in most cases, there is a difference in what they represent in a strict sense.
Informatization - refers to the use of computer technology and network technology to replace traditional working methods and help people complete various tasks more efficiently. For example, in the past, it was necessary to fill in a cumbersome entry application form, but now it can be quickly filled out by scanning a code with a mobile phone.
Digitization ——is to quantify the work process in order to better analyze and optimize the work plan. For example, through the system to record the working hours and output of different personnel, compare better employees, and analyze his working methods.
Intelligence —refers to the use of artificial intelligence and other technologies to allow computers to imitate humans to perform more operations, thereby liberating manpower. For example, when the warehouse receives an order, it needs to use a notebook to record the user's needs and address. Now it is automatically recorded directly through the WMS system, and then directly finds the goods out of the warehouse with handheld PDA and other devices.
If you can understand the meaning of the above.
So, back to the question, isn't this just to know how to "transform" your company?
On this basis, the editor will continue to elaborate on the core functions of the three concepts of "informatization, digitalization, and intelligence" for your reference, so that everyone can have confidence in their hearts, strength in their legs, and know where to use their energy.
Informatization - the direct path to improve efficiency
Now there are many tools to help enterprises informatize, and the price is relatively cheap. From instant messaging (such as DingTalk, Enterprise WeChat, Feishu) to OA office (such as Fanwei, Lanling), from online meetings (such as Tencent Meeting, ZOOM) to cloud disk and document editing tools, there are many manufacturers that provide various supports, whether it is SaaS-level services or privatized deployment. For Chinese enterprises, it is now very easy to informatize routine work. Perhaps the only difficulty lies in how to find the information tool that suits you. There are still some problems that tools cannot solve at present. Some companies need customized functional support based on their own management experience and needs, and general products on the market may not be able to meet these needs. In this case, the enterprise may need to pay more costs, whether it is to form a team to develop by itself, or to entrust a technology company.
There is also a new solution — no-code platforms: platforms that help businesses build applications more quickly without writing code. The no-code platform provides a variety of configurable components and modules, making it easier for companies to implement customized requirements while reducing development costs and time.
Some time ago, when I used the cloud meter code-free platform independently developed by our company to design an informatization solution for an enterprise, I summarized three obvious advantages:
1. Improve efficiency and reduce costs: take ERP as an example
According to statistics, no-code development can increase the efficiency of about 67% in the application of enterprise internal information, which is equivalent to the work efficiency of one person is equivalent to 2-3 people. And after the codeless development is completed, the cycle of testing and optimization is also greatly shortened. Compared with the traditional coding method, it may take 3 months to complete the same project, but no-code development is expected to be completed in about 1 month. Whether it is human resources or time costs, no-code development has absolute advantages in reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
2. Gradually implement and comprehensively manage the enterprise life cycle
Unlike the tedious code development in the past, no-code development adopts the features of WYSIWYG and rapid development. Many business practices or optimizations can be developed in minutes and get feedback on performance. This will directly change the company's digital strategy plan and make the overall digital planning process easier. No longer worry about problems that cannot be modified and cannot go back once you start developing. The modular development model makes the whole business more flexible and adaptable to market changes.
3. All employees participate to promote the implementation of enterprise digitalization
Different from the situation where IT personnel must participate in traditional coding, through the no-code platform, some basic changes or development work no longer require the full participation of IT personnel, and business personnel can also quickly complete business changes and modifications through platform configuration items according to their own needs. In companies with a shortage of IT resources, this model will greatly increase the enthusiasm of employees to participate in informatization construction, and better promote the implementation of enterprise digitalization.
Through the no-code development model, more enterprises can start their own informatization road with low cost and low threshold.
Digitization—the prerequisite for fine management
According to the Baidu Index, "digitalization" is currently the most trafficked concept among the three words. We also often hear the phrase "digital transformation".
The purpose of digitalization is to help enterprises obtain detailed and comprehensive statistical data, so as to adjust and optimize all aspects of operation to obtain greater profits.
Therefore, the key to digitalization lies in data recording and data analysis.
Compared with information construction, the implementation of digitalization seems to be more complicated, because just buying a few systems is not enough to complete digitalization. What is really difficult is to promote the use of digital platforms, especially to make enterprise employees understand the significance of their operations. If data is distorted or missing, it may have a significant impact on the digital performance of the enterprise. In order to achieve the smooth advancement of digitalization, an easy-to-use digital platform is needed, especially an enterprise-level code-free platform with strong capability boundaries like the cloud watch platform, which plays an important role in the process of enterprise digital upgrade.
The most important significance of an enterprise-level no-code platform is to become an important "pillar" of informatization that supports the development of various departments and businesses. As shown in the figure below, it can seamlessly connect various business systems.
Intelligence - the end of repetitive work
When we talk about intelligence, we have to mention the recent high-profile ChatGPT. As a new generation of big data model, it brings the AI industry to a new stage. However, although the popularity of ChatGPT is rising, in practical applications, it still mainly stays at the text level. We still have a long way to go before AI technology can effectively assist various real work scenarios.
In the past, after we received an order, we needed to communicate with the user, then enter the order into the computer, and then print out the label. Customers only need to place an order, and the WMS system uses the information synchronized by the CRM system to automatically print the pick-up order directly. Employees use hand-held PADs and other devices to guide the wayfinding, find the location of the goods at the fastest speed, and then scan the QR code to leave the warehouse, reducing manual errors. The increased delivery rate optimizes the search route, making the entire process more efficient and improving the economic benefits of the enterprise. There are also AGV transport vehicles and intelligent robotic arms in the factory. These are all examples of intelligence.
Summarize
Informatization, digitalization, and intelligence are not viewed in accordance with progressive development stages. However, intelligence is the ultimate goal of informatization and digitization, and it is also an inevitable trend of development. Informatization is the transformation from business to data, while digitalization is the transformation from data to business. Digitization can be regarded as an advanced stage of informatization, which uses the results of informatization extensively and deeply. Through digitalization, we not only collect and analyze data, but also predict data and manage data, further extending the scope of informatization. It should be emphasized that digitalization will not be divorced from informatization, it only solves the problem of isolated information islands among information systems in the construction of informatization, and realizes the interconnection and intercommunication of data between systems. At the same time, digitalization can also conduct multi-dimensional analysis on these data, digitally model the operation logic of the enterprise, and effectively guide and serve the daily operation of the enterprise.
To sum up: Informatization is the foundation, digitalization is the direction, and intelligence represents the future! No matter how the technology develops, the goal is to improve enterprise productivity, reduce costs and increase efficiency. Therefore, everything must be based on actual needs, and we must not blindly follow the trend.