Starting your digital business technology platform (DBTP) isn’t an easy task. The architecture of a DBTP includes elements, which may be deployed in many different ways, depending on what capabilities your organization needs.

Why Do You Need a DBTP?

A DBTP enables a single system of record that all company stakeholders can access to look up rules, exceptions, guidelines, data, and even video. With all information in one place and automated according to the operations systems of the organization, it also enables business operations to run like a well-oiled machine. The ability to share data across this platform means all parties have an equal opportunity to make decisions on behalf of the customer or client.

In addition to a single record system, other elements can be integrated into a digital business system: tools to help staff partners better understand the organization’s audience, personal devices, mobile-enabled apps, and virtual assistant technologies.

Many DBTPs are cloud-based. They could also integrate some or all of the elements of other social media platforms, such as integrating customer social media comments with the DBTP to drive decisions for customers.

A DBTP can also be a home for the organization’s master data management system, that is a set of databases consolidated with transactional databases to keep track of the customer’s or client’s different accounts within the company.

Steps to Create DBTP

So far, we have discussed why you need a DBTP. Here are the steps to build a DBTP from scratch.

STEP 1: COLLABORATE AND EVALUATE, EVOLVE AND STRENGTHEN TECHNOLOGY.

Digital business leaders must collaborate early on with the right people to understand which technology tools enable the digital business vision and solve problems. They also must collaborate to develop a digital business technology platform that satisfies all the digital business vision requirements and according to the organization’s needs.

STEP 2: SEARCH FOR DEVELOPERS WHO HAVE THE RIGHT SKILLS FOR YOUR PROJECT.

Digital business leaders need to build a culture of collaboration within the organization and identify technology integrators who can design architecture to meet the needs of the digital business vision. They also need to search through and evaluate their networks for developers with specific technical skills they may not currently have in-house.

STEP 3: CHOOSE AN ARCHITECTURE THAT WILL FOSTER COLLABORATION AND BOOST CREATIVITY IN YOUR STAFF.

Digital business leaders need to assess what hardware, software, and cloud services they need to deploy the DBTP. They also need to decide how these pieces will connect and integrate so the entire digital business process can function accordingly.

STEP 4: ASSESS THE LEVEL OF DIGITAL NATIVENESS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION.

Digital business leaders need to assess whether their organization is naturally adept at using digital tools for their current processes or if they require a digital makeover with new skill development and use of technology.

STEP 5: CREATE AN ENGAGEMENT MODEL THAT REWARDS STAFF FOR LONG-TERM INTEGRATION AND COLLABORATION.

Digital business leaders must set clear expectations and reward staff for long-term integration with the digital technology platform. They also need to deploy and assign the right people to digital transformation projects and provide coaching to keep people on track.

STEP 6: DEPLOY THE CORRECT PIECES OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE RIGHT ORDER FOR REVIEW AND TESTING.

Digital business leaders need to deploy the right pieces of technology to ensure the DBTP will function accordingly. They also must test and monitor technology performance regularly once it goes live to identify areas for improvement and get feedback from staff and stakeholders.

STEP 7: MAKE IT EASY TO RESPOND TO STAKEHOLDER INFORMATION AND MEET EXPECTATIONS.

Digital business leaders must simplify the technology integration process by making it easy for their teams to respond to stakeholder information and requests to meet expectations.

STEP 8: CONTINUE MONITORING TECHNOLOGY PERFORMANCE AND STAKEHOLDER IMPACT TO EVALUATE AND IMPROVE.

Digital business leaders need to monitor technology performance and stakeholder impact over time to evaluate and improve how their DBTP is functioning. They also need to provide training so staff can continue to improve their skills for integrating with the DBTP as it evolves.

STEP 9: CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AND STABILIZE THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE ORGANIZATION’S RELATIONSHIP TO IT.

Digital business leaders must continue to improve and stabilize the technology integration over time as the organization grows and matures in its use of technology.

STEP 10: BUILD A TEAM TO UNDERSTAND CHANGE AND ASSURE CONTINUED STABILITY.

Digital business leaders need to build a team within the organization that can manage change, resist the urge to disrupt at all costs, and assure continued stability.

Contact Foris IT Management today if you want help setting up your digital business or need to secure it from hackers. Our managed network security services and network security audit will let you know if your system has any vulnerabilities. Get in touch with us to book our services.