Why the corona pandemic is an opportunity for digital transformation

September 9, 2021

In 2021, the corona pandemic is not yet over. Even after one and a half years in which COVID-19 has dominated people’s lives, Germany is still lagging in many areas of digitisation. But are there also positive developments? Is the corona pandemic a unique opportunity for driving digital transformation in companies?

Germany is behind in terms of digitisation

Economic experts have long criticised Germany’s sluggish digitisation efforts in industry and economy. Many companies see the need to adapt their processes, approaches and business models to the rapid advancements in technology, but changes are often implemented too slowly or not at all. The failures of politics and industry have become apparent through the coronavirus pandemic: it has exposed and exacerbated the structural problems that had existed before but had not been taken seriously. Germany’s digitisation deficit has been revealed in many areas. These areas include e-government, e-health, e-learning, digital infrastructure, remote work and digital business models in general.

Digitisation boost through the COVID-19 pandemic

The corona pandemic has also led to positive developments. It has triggered a kind of “forced digitisation” in many companies, authorities and organisations. As a result, millions of people are enjoying the benefits of the leap into the digital future. In many companies, all meetings are held online using video chat platforms, and doctors, for example, have set up digital office hours. Read here how we at Netfira have managed to stay in touch as a global team during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether in schools, administrations or companies: a digital infrastructure that allows processes to function without people having to come together physically has proved to be not only a competitive advantage but necessary for survival.

A changed view on the importance of digitisation through the corona pandemic

Hastily implemented digitisation of processes is not the most significant development caused by the corona pandemic. It is true that digitisation efforts have been massively accelerated and that results and practicable applications were suddenly achieved. However, it is much more important that the COVID-19 pandemic has permanently changed our view of digitisation. People are aware that technology and digitisation tools are a stabilisation and success factor in times of existence-threatening crises, which can determine a company’s economic survival and not a negligible point on a business agenda. Companies recognise the risks they take if they do not have a digital strategy and cannot switch to alternative ways of working or sales channels in an emergency. That is why companies have started to take measures to prepare for current and future crises. For example, many enterprises rely on AI so that production and basic work processes can continue in the event of a crisis. As we now practice using digital technologies, a new understanding of technology, new ideas and new business models are emerging.

The corona pandemic as an opportunity for digital transformation

The coronavirus pandemic is thus an excellent opportunity for digital transformation in companies. While people acknowledge the importance and possibilities of digitisation, digital progress must continue to be promoted. Understandably, short-term digital efficiency gains and poorly conceptualised digital solutions have been used to react to the rapid and surprising developments in the spring of 2020. But after some time, the focus should be on long-term and efficient digital automation solutions. A digitisation strategy with reliable digitisation and automation tools is crucial for the digital transformation within an enterprise. Only then can the digitisation boost be an advantage for companies in the years to come.