Digital transformation or an ERP upgrade? Depends on goals, industry, vision.

Microsoft has embraced the concept of digital transformation as a way of describing and addressing its customers' broadest challenges. The term, however you define it, is not new. But it has gained traction as technology vendors large and small push toward better access to advanced technology like AI, IoT, analytics, and hybrid architectures.

While digital transformation can encompass investment in ERP, it can also be applied across applications. The question is really one of intent and degree of change, says Panorama Consulting managing partner Eric Kimberling. The vendor-independent consultancy just released their new report Everything You Need to Know About Digital Transformation (registration required). They observe that digital strategies are increasingly driven by an overarching business strategy versus the IT department's need to upgrade current systems.

We spoke with Kimberling to learn more about his views on the concept of digital transformation, including key technology components and the term's potential mis-use.

MSDW: Where do findings shared in the digital transformation report originate from? Is it based on survey data? Your experiences?

Kimberling: It is based on our experience, and qualitatively, we consider the research we've done over the years as it relates to enterprise implementation software in general. It's bringing it all together and looking at it more holistically than just straight ERP, and trying to broaden the lens a little bit to look at a more holistic digital transformation, versus a slightly more myopic ERP implementation.

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