What’s the difference between digitalisation, digitisation and digital transformation?
Digitalisation, digitisation and digital transformation are three words that sound very similar but have totally different meanings. We’ll take a look at the differences here.
What is digitalisation?
One definition of the word is the utilisation of digital technology in order to streamline and change processes. Customer service is one example. Many businesses have moved from a telephone-based service to a digital solution in the form of a chat facility directly accessible online. Some even use an AI-based chat solution which does not require personnel. Although the method of providing customer service is the same as ever, the process of creating a case has become more seamless since the introduction of digital technology.
Digitalisation of a company needn’t entail digitalisation of the entire operation, and is usually a means of making certain processes faster and more straightforward.
What is digitisation?
Digitisation is the process of converting analogue objects into digital form, for example, scanning a document to generate a PDF or recording music for conversion into audio format. Digitisation refers to the tools chosen in order to carry out a process of digitalisation.
What is digital transformation?
Digital transformation takes place when a company carries out digitalisation of its entire operation, and is thereby a more extensive and wide-ranging process. Digital transformation may involve the gradual digitalisation of internal processes until the company has fully completed the digitalisation process. There is no exact template outlining how digital transformation should be carried out, and how long it takes, but a strategic, goal-orientated approach is a common feature of every process.
Read more in our guide: Digital transformation in three steps