Unlock the Benefits of Digitising vs. Digitalising: A Guide to Overcoming Virtual Confusion

Digitalise this, digitise that… 

Welcome to the ‘Virtual Digital Age’, where organisations of all sizes must leverage the ongoing evolution of technological advancements to remain competitive and grow.

Since the global pandemic, the terms ‘virtual digitalisation’ and ‘virtual digitisation’ have been excessively used often interchangeably amidst the chaos, inciting ‘virtual confusion’.

Simply put, both terms describe distinct processes a business must implement to maximise success in the virtual realm.

What is the difference?

Let’s start simple. What do we mean when we say ‘digital‘?  

As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented rate, the term ‘digital’ has become increasingly ubiquitous, pervading almost every aspect of our lives. But what exactly do we mean when we use this term?

In its most basic sense, ‘digital’ refers to computer systems that utilise discrete digits, with binary digits, i.e. ‘0s’ and ‘1s’, being the most common. These digits are used to process, store, and represent information, which is the fundamental basis upon which our smartphones, PCs, and other media devices operate.

By breaking down data into individual binary digits, computers are able to manipulate and process vast amounts of information with incredible speed and precision. This enables us to perform a wide range of tasks with ease, from browsing the internet and sending emails to editing photos and streaming videos.

However, the digital revolution is not just limited to our personal devices; it has also transformed the way businesses operate. The ability to store and process vast amounts of data in a digital format has enabled companies to gain valuable insights into their customers’ behaviours and preferences, leading to more targeted and effective marketing strategies.

Digitise

In today’s fast-paced virtual digital age, the concept of digitisation has become an essential part of our daily lives. Digitisation is the process of converting analogue information, such as physical documents or spoken words, into a virtual representation of that information.

By converting analogue data to a digital format, digitisation creates a bridge between the physical and virtual worlds, enabling individuals, organisations, and businesses to capture and store information more efficiently, accurately, and accessibly. With the help of digitisation, businesses can keep up with the rapidly changing market trends, consumer needs, and stay ahead of the competition.

For instance, recording audio with a microphone and converting it to an MP3 format or scanning a physical document and saving it as a PDF are some of the prime examples of digitisation in action. This virtual process allows us to create a virtual copy of the original content, which can be easily accessed and shared with others virtually.

In addition to enhanced accessibility and organisation, virtual digitisation also provides a level of security and preservation that was not previously possible with analogue formats. Virtual data can be backed up, stored in the cloud, and protected with encryption, ensuring that the information remains secure and readily available to authorised personnel.

In conclusion, virtual digitisation is a crucial aspect of our daily lives in the digital age. It enables us to bridge the gap between the physical and virtual world, helping businesses, organisations, and individuals to operate more efficiently and effectively while keeping their data secure and easily accessible.

Digitalise

Digitalisation is the process of converting physical data or analogue information into digital formats, making it accessible and usable on electronic devices. In simpler terms, digitalisation is the use of digital technology to transform and improve existing processes. This can be achieved by taking a document or any other physical data and converting it into a digital format such as PDF or Word document.

The benefits of digitalisation are numerous and can greatly impact an organisation’s productivity and efficiency. For instance, once a document has been digitised, it can be uploaded to the cloud and easily shared with colleagues across the globe in a matter of seconds. This eliminates the need for traditional means of sharing such as mailing or faxing, resulting in faster communication and decision-making.

Moreover, digitalisation centralises information, making it much easier and quicker to access, which further improves efficiency and productivity. With all information available in one place, the time spent searching for specific data is greatly reduced. Additionally, digitalisation often leads to process optimisation, where a task that was once tedious and time-consuming can now be completed more efficiently and accurately through the use of digital tools.

In conclusion, digitalisation is a crucial process that organisations must embrace to stay competitive in today’s digital age. By leveraging the power of digital technology, businesses can transform their operations and enjoy a host of benefits, including faster communication, improved efficiency, and increased productivity.

In practice

In today’s modern world, technological advancements have revolutionised the way businesses operate. One of the most notable changes in recent years is the widespread adoption of digital tools and processes in various industries. This is particularly evident in customer service, where digitisation and digitalisation have become increasingly commonplace.

Virtual communication channels have enabled call centre clerks to leverage the power of digitisation to quickly access and retrieve information relevant to a customer’s query with just a few clicks on their PC screens. Gone are the days of sifting through physical paper records stored in cumbersome file cabinets, as digitisation has made it possible to store and access data in a digital format, thus streamlining the entire process.

Moreover, the rise of digitalisation has made it possible for businesses to automate certain processes and reduce their reliance on human labour. Virtual assistants and chatbots, for instance, could potentially resolve a customer’s query, thereby negating the need for a customer service representative to spend their time picking up the phone. This can not only save time and resources for businesses but also provide a more efficient and streamlined experience for customers.

In conclusion, the adoption of digital tools and processes in customer service has transformed the way businesses operate and interact with their customers. From virtual communication channels to digitisation and digitalisation, these advancements have made it possible to streamline processes, automate certain tasks, and ultimately provide a better customer experience. As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see even more innovations in this space, further enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of virtual customer service operations.