Digital transformation
Digital transformation is a means of using digital technologies to innovate operations, products, services and processes and improve employee and customer experience. Here you can read news, guides and tips on how to lead digital transformation efforts. Learn how blockchain, AI, automation technologies and other tech fits into transformation projects.
Top Stories
-
Video
26 Apr 2024
MVP vs. prototype: What's the difference?
While some people mistakenly use the terms MVP and prototype interchangeably, there are key differences between a minimum viable product and a prototype for your product. Continue Reading
-
Feature
08 Apr 2024
Ukraine IT services firms target new markets as exports drop
Ukrainian IT services firms are eyeing new geographic markets and exploring digital transformation as the war and a difficult economy shrink international sales. Continue Reading
-
Tip
10 Aug 2018
Business transformation project: Dealing with legacy data
Business transformation requires a solid data foundation. Expert Dan Morris offers a near-term fix for your data-quality problems and the basis for a long-term approach to better data. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Aug 2018
Report on Alexa-enabled devices puts spotlight on voice commerce
Not many people buy things using Amazon's Alexa-enabled devices, a new report contends. What does that say about voice commerce and how the enterprise uses voice computing technology? Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
31 Jul 2018
In a hot RPA market, the 'rule of five' keeps CIOs focused on use cases
The robotic process automation market is advancing at a rapid clip. "Market growth is exceeding our greater than 50% CAGR to get from $500 million to $2.8 billion in five years," said Craig Le ... Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
31 Jul 2018
The industrialization of AI: from alchemy to chemical engineering
Artificial intelligence is modern-day alchemy, according to Qirong Ho, the CTO and co-founder of Petuum Inc., an AI and machine learning startup. "Alchemy is about chasing the most exciting ... Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
31 Jul 2018
Microsoft industry focus remains priority in FY19
CIOs can expect the Microsoft industry focus to continue this year as the company seeks to boost its digital transformation business. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
31 Jul 2018
What's driving the adoption of the CIO-CDO dual role?
As the digital revolution continues, the ideal CIO is one that possesses both technical knowledge and business acumen to help drive their company's digital transformation initiative forward. One ... Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
31 Jul 2018
AR headsets in the enterprise: An expert perspective
In his book, The Fourth Transformation, Shel Israel makes the argument that augmented reality -- the superimposition of digital information on the real world -- is the next technology innovation ... Continue Reading
-
Podcast
31 Jul 2018
New deep learning algorithms could improve robot sight
Self-driving cars, as brilliant as they are, are not nearly as good as humans at dealing with uncertainty. David Held has an algorithm for that. Continue Reading
-
News
30 Jul 2018
6 enterprise AR use cases
Augmented reality is making its way into the enterprise. Here, experts detail six AR use cases and how AR headsets are helping boost productivity and reduce errors. Continue Reading
-
Feature
30 Jul 2018
SAP chief security officer talks cloud, security trends
Security issues are still a top concern when moving to the cloud. SAP CSO Justin Somaini highlights the questions to ask cloud providers to make sure company data is protected. Continue Reading
-
Tip
27 Jul 2018
Don't get caught up in the neural processing unit hype
To differentiate new chip technology from existing GPUs, mobile tech companies (along with software titans) are slapping a 'neural' label on their products. Analysts say to be skeptical. Continue Reading
-
News
23 Jul 2018
How to know if, when and how to pursue blockchain projects
Forrester Research analyst Martha Bennett gives CIOs a cogent framework for thinking about distributed ledger technology and potential blockchain projects for the enterprise. Continue Reading
-
News
19 Jul 2018
The cloud-enabled workforce: Prepping IT staff for success
Experts predict nontraditional skills will be essential for the cloud-enabled, next-generation IT workforce. To succeed, employee training and development will play a big role. Continue Reading
-
News
17 Jul 2018
Innovation leaders must learn to 'co-create' the future
Harvard's Linda Hill explains what makes leaders of innovation successful, starting with realizing their primary role is as stage setter, not top-down visionary. Continue Reading
-
Feature
16 Jul 2018
GE: Success of AI systems tied to engineering, not algorithms
AI systems are hard to maintain and need an engineer's touch, according to Jeff Erhardt, vice president of intelligent systems at GE. Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 Jul 2018
Symantec CIO: Digital transformation plan shaped by cloud, AI
Read about how SaaS, public cloud, AI and machine learning are driving Symantec's digital transformation in this Q&A with CIO Sheila Jordan. Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 Jul 2018
Symantec CIO strategy: Add 'extreme value' to the business
Sheila Jordan's CIO strategy at Symantec focuses on bringing 'extreme value' to the business. Here, she discusses her top six IT priorities for achieving that goal. Continue Reading
-
Answer
13 Jul 2018
How is cloud influencing the CDO role?
Cloud investments create both opportunities and challenges for the rapidly evolving chief data officer role. Alation's Satyen Sangani shares his perspective here. Continue Reading
-
News
11 Jul 2018
Digital transformation process: Align business and IT, shake legacy
At the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium, consultant Cathy Horst Forsyth explains which factors make for a successful digital transformation process and what slows companies down. Continue Reading
-
Feature
11 Jul 2018
When running IT like a business, consider the bagel shop
Ciena Corp. CIO Craig Williams expounds on the importance of running IT like a business and how to identify the type of IT people who can execute on that strategy. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Jul 2018
The case for cloud storage as a service at Partners
Partners HealthCare needed storage that was secure, compliant with health regs and readily accessible to researchers. Read why it took a cloud-storage-as-a-service approach. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
02 Jul 2018
Chief data officer role today: Less on defense, more on offense
Customer experience is front and center for every member of the C-suite today -- from the CEO down. That goes for the chief data officer role, too. CDOs were once seen as the high stewards of data ... Continue Reading
-
News
29 Jun 2018
Intuit's CDO talks complex AI project to improve finances
Intuit's latest AI project -- a digital financial assistant -- could help its customers save money, while breaking new technology ground. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
29 Jun 2018
Embracing digital transformation: Airtel CIO discusses focus, benefits
Companies embracing digital transformation shouldn't let the fear of failure slow down their digital initiatives, Harmeen Mehta, global CIO and head of digital at Indian telecom giant Bharti ... Continue Reading
-
News
29 Jun 2018
Building a data science pipeline: Benefits, cautions
A data science development pipeline is critical for digital business. But the sequence of the pipeline must be monitored closely to ensure the output reflects the business goal. Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 Jun 2018
Resist 'garbage in, gospel out' doctrine -- defend data quality
The 'garbage in, gospel out' approach to business analytics may be a valid approach for doing big data projects, but CIOs should resist it for business transformation. Continue Reading
-
Video
29 Jun 2018
Digital transformation journey: How to muster the troops
Gail Evans was recently promoted from CIO to global chief digital officer at Mercer. Here's how she inspires people to sign on for the firm's digital transformation journey. Continue Reading
-
News
29 Jun 2018
Enterprise digital strategy: Design use cases that create business value
Tech capabilities are certainly important, but expert panelists at LiveWorx 2018 explained why overall business needs can't be ignored when crafting enterprise digital strategy. Continue Reading
-
News
28 Jun 2018
Transformational leadership needed to pursue data-driven ethos
California State University's first chief data officer talks about why transformational leadership is needed now more than ever. Continue Reading
-
Tip
28 Jun 2018
How to start a blockchain project: Questions for IBM's Jerry Cuomo
A blockchain project starts with a belief that business needs to be done in a different way. Here's what happens next, including the role CIOs play in a blockchain journey. Continue Reading
-
Video
27 Jun 2018
Land O'Lakes CIO strives to optimize economics of digital farming
Land O'Lakes is using AI and machine learning to help the world's food suppliers grow more food more sustainably. The next big goal: A sustainable path to income for farmers. Continue Reading
-
Video
27 Jun 2018
Digital transformation strategies propelled by customer expectations
Who's leading digital transformation at Land O'Lakes? The back office is slower to get with the program, but even it will be remade by digital tech, according CIO Michael Macrie. Continue Reading
-
Feature
20 Jun 2018
RPA tools lead to better customer service: Three case studies
A global consumer credit reporting agency, an affordable housing lender, and a Fortune 500 insurance company bet on using RPA software. Here's what happened. Continue Reading
-
Feature
19 Jun 2018
Digital transformation in manufacturing: Carton maker taps Predix software
Learn about a digital transformation project at Swiss manufacturer Sig Combibloc, which is using GE Digital's Predix software and IoT sensors to boost productivity and cut costs. Continue Reading
-
Feature
15 Jun 2018
Law firm makes case for technology-enabled transformation
Top 100 law firm Jackson Lewis redefines how it provides legal services to clients as part of a technology-enabled transformation overseen by its first-ever chief digital officer. Continue Reading
-
Feature
14 Jun 2018
Six barriers to digital transformation; CIO strategies to conquer them
CIOs are under pressure to help companies find their digital mojo, but challenges abound. Learn about the top six barriers to digital transformation -- and how to vanquish them. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
14 Jun 2018
With artificial intelligence and machine learning, KPIs are crucial
The CIO of DBS Bank and CTO of Kayak square off at the 2018 MIT Sloan CIO Symposium on how to use AI for business success. Continue Reading
-
Answer
13 Jun 2018
An AI-machine learning data challenge: Predicting the unpredictable
A difficult test for companies wanting to capitalize on huge amounts of data and emerging tech is getting it to fit what they can't see, says MIT's Iyad Rahwan. Continue Reading
-
News
11 Jun 2018
2018 MIT Sloan CIO Symposium in photos: A SearchCIO snapshot
Explore the major sessions and themes of the 2018 MIT Sloan CIO Symposium through the lens of the SearchCIO team. Continue Reading
-
News
08 Jun 2018
Quality, meaningful future work hinges on human-machine 'complementarity'
What AI and machine learning mean for the future of work prompts vigorous debate and gloomy headlines -- but MIT researchers see brighter, more collaborative prospects. Continue Reading
-
News
07 Jun 2018
In search of digital business models: Six questions
Old-school companies must find ways to generate digital revenue. Researchers at MIT Sloan laid out six questions that will help companies refine their digital business models. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
31 May 2018
CIOs: Focus on applying AI and machine learning, not defining it
For CIOs and CTOs, asking which computing approaches add up to artificial intelligence and which are simply automation or BI is probably not a very useful question. The better question to think ... Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
31 May 2018
Digital business strategy: Safe, end-to-end software development
For CIO Frederic Veron, ensuring software runs "safe and sound" is a big part of his digital business strategy role. To get there, he gets involved early in the development stages. Continue Reading
-
News
31 May 2018
Recruiting talent for digital cultures: Tips from McKinsey, Korn Ferry
The C-suite's penchant for hiring in its own image prevents companies from creating a digital culture. Another barrier: assuming HR can find the right people. Continue Reading
-
News
31 May 2018
The intelligent enterprise blends tech savvy, business smarts
To keep up with the ever-quickening pace of enterprise tech development, companies need the right combination of brains and brawn, says Equinix exec Ryan Mallory in this Q&A. Continue Reading
-
News
31 May 2018
Building an intelligent enterprise: Four experts offer hard-won advice
At the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium, four IT executives shared lessons they've learned from building an intelligent enterprise and paid homage to the tech that helped them do it. Continue Reading
-
Definition
31 May 2018
artificial neuron
An artificial neuron is a connection point in an artificial neural network. Artificial neural networks, like the human body's biological neural network, have a layered architecture and each network node (connection point) has the capability to process input and forward output to other nodes in the network. Continue Reading
-
Guide
31 May 2018
Next-gen IT infrastructure strategy to guide digital transformation
The evolution of business tech forces companies to frequently redefine digital strategy. In this essential guide, learn best practices to manage modern IT infrastructure. Continue Reading
-
Feature
30 May 2018
Blockchain as a service expected to entice CIOs to test waters
AWS' Blockchain Templates offering, along with a host of other big vendor blockchain products, will spur a 'tsunami of tests.' Blockchain adoption by business is another matter. Continue Reading
-
News
29 May 2018
MIT CIO: What is digital culture, why it's needed and how to get it
Creating a digital culture is essential in the age of information, but companies must not lose sight of their core values in the process. Two tech execs show how they're doing it. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
29 May 2018
Early-stage company execs talk partnering with CIOs
Participants in the 2018 MIT Sloan CIO Symposium's Innovation Showcase discuss the relationship between early-stage company execs and the C-suite. Continue Reading
-
Feature
23 May 2018
Artificial intelligence center of excellence emerges as best practice
One way for enterprises to get a grip on an AI strategy that makes sense for them is to establish an artificial intelligence center of excellence. Continue Reading
-
Feature
17 May 2018
At CyrusOne, a look at the expanding role of a CIO
Being head of IT isn't the gig it used to be, says Blake Hankins, CIO of data center provider CyrusOne, in this Q&A. Today, the job of CIO is about making partnerships -- and having business know-how. Continue Reading
-
Feature
17 May 2018
Data center industry growth drives expansion, cloud use at CyrusOne
More devices and lots more data is good news for the data center industry and CyrusOne, says CIO Blake Hankins. In this Q&A, he discusses the company's buildup and his department's cloud use. Continue Reading
-
Video
17 May 2018
Digital transformation objectives: Streamlining data with AI
In this video, Bill Gillis, CIO at Beth Israel Deaconess Care Organization, says utilizing AI and machine learning in data processing tops his digital transformation objectives list. Continue Reading
-
Tip
17 May 2018
Bad data stops business process transformation in its tracks
Dan Morris introduces his new eight-part series on exploring how bad data can sabotage business process transformation and what CIOs need to do to fix it. Continue Reading
-
News
16 May 2018
Build a culture of innovation on PaaS platforms
Tech execs from Deutsche Bank and Experian at the Red Hat Summit in San Francisco shared their thoughts on reaping the benefits of PaaS platforms by addressing the risks head-on. Continue Reading
-
Video
14 May 2018
Digital transformation program: How to drive business success
When embarking on their digital transformation journey, CIOs must first understand the problems they are trying to solve. CIO Bill Gillis explains why. Continue Reading
-
News
11 May 2018
Build 2018 gives the office meeting a high-tech sheen. Does it matter?
A display on the future of meetings at Microsoft's Build 2018 event was a technology tour de force. But analysts said the fanfare sort of misses the point. Continue Reading
-
News
10 May 2018
With machine learning models, explainability is difficult and elusive
The enterprise's demand for explainable AI is merited, say experts, but the problem is more complicated than most of us understand and possibly unsolvable. Continue Reading
-
Feature
09 May 2018
Optimizing an artificial intelligence architecture: The race is on
As AI architecture improves and costs decrease, experts say enterprise adoption will go up, spurring yet more innovation and benefits for businesses and AI vendors alike. Continue Reading
-
News
09 May 2018
IT pros name users, GDPR as biggest cloud computing security threats
The cloud is growing faster than companies can prepare for cloud computing security threats, a quartet of tech leaders say at a Boston forum. But managing risk is within reach. Continue Reading
-
Answer
09 May 2018
What's the difference between chatbots and virtual assistants?
Forrester's Thomas Husson gives his take on the difference between virtual assistants and chatbots. He says one is closer to a 'dynamic FAQ' and the other is a third-party aggregator. Continue Reading
-
News
08 May 2018
Artificial intelligence for social good: Big tech spins a new narrative
AI for social good is a thing. SAS touts research on tracking cheetah populations, Microsoft showcases work on precision farming at the Artificial Intelligence Conference. Continue Reading
-
Feature
08 May 2018
CIO uses master data management to speed digitalization
IMA Financial Group CIO Michelle Vercellino's effort to clean up, protect and govern the firm's data is an important step in the firm's quest for 'data intelligence.' Continue Reading
-
Answer
04 May 2018
Best practices for cloud security: Be cognizant of what's in the cloud
In this Ask the Expert, Booz Allen Hamilton's Anil Markose offers the cloud security best practices organizations need to protect their cloud information. Continue Reading
-
Feature
03 May 2018
Tackling the 'ask me anything' challenge of a conversational interface
IBM researchers discuss the challenge of designing conversational interfaces where the potential incoming questions are limitless. The solution: narrowing the scope and training end users. Continue Reading
-
Answer
02 May 2018
What are the top RPA security risks and how do CIOs prevent them?
RPA security risks often take a back seat to the technology's promise of costs savings and reliability. HfS Research's Saurabh Gupta and KPMG's Martin Sokalski set the record straight. Continue Reading
-
Feature
02 May 2018
Machine learning use case to ID unhappy employees
Telus International CIO Michael Ringman analyzes the machine learning use case he launched to curb high attrition rates in call centers. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
30 Apr 2018
Some types of artificial intelligence aren't ready for their close-up
Michael Ringman, CIO at TELUS International, has a unique vantage point on artificial intelligence and how the technologies under the AI umbrella are developing. He's helping build an artificial ... Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
30 Apr 2018
The Wild Wild West of conversational design
Sociologist and conversation analyst Bob Moore and artist and UX designer Raphael Arar -- researchers at IBM Research -- are working at the forefront of an emerging field: Conversational UX design. ... Continue Reading
-
News
30 Apr 2018
Cloud Foundry deployments boost customer experience, communication
IT pros from Comcast, American Airlines and Zipcar sound off on benefits of the software development platform at April's Cloud Foundry Summit in Boston. Continue Reading
-
Feature
30 Apr 2018
Cloud workload protection tool speeds cloud migration, saves time
Informatica deployed Aporeto's IT security tool to protect its cloud servers. It gained peace of mind -- and valuable time. Continue Reading
-
Feature
30 Apr 2018
Informatica enlists cloud workload protection platform for 'zero-trust' IT security
To secure its immense cloud operations, Informatica looks to a new tool, a cloud workload protection platform by Aporeto, with a deny-all approach to server access. Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 Apr 2018
IoT initiatives raise new complications for CIOs
As CIOs integrate IoT team projects, they must find a new balance between operational technology and IT -- a process that requires as much political savvy as tech expertise. Continue Reading
-
News
27 Apr 2018
Gartner on blockchain: Questions to ask and lots of caveats
It's immature, misunderstood, untested in the enterprise, risk-laden -- and needs to be on the CIO agenda. Gartner's Nick Heudecker frames the blockchain questions you should be asking. Continue Reading
-
Podcast
27 Apr 2018
'Virtual humans' pick up on social cues
Carnegie Mellon University's Justine Cassell talks about her efforts to turn software into 'virtual humans.' Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 Apr 2018
How to make AI agents better conversationalists: Context is key
IBM's Bob Moore and Raphael Arar are committed to designing AI agents that actually understand -- and retain -- context. The aim? To make AI exchanges more like conversations. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
27 Apr 2018
Is the future of robotic process automation intelligent?
Intelligent process automation may eventually supplant traditional robotic process automation as AI propels the technology away from automating rote tasks. Continue Reading
-
Feature
26 Apr 2018
Conversational UX design: What it is and who's paving the way
Two researchers at IBM aim to make AI systems converse more like humans. Here, they discuss the emerging field of conversational UX design and the expertise that goes into it. Continue Reading
-
Answer
26 Apr 2018
Cloud computing optimization: A CIO's perspective
Optimizing cloud means having a solid strategy in place, evaluating the services in use and ensuring the business is served, according to CyrusOne CIO Blake Hankins. Continue Reading
-
News
23 Apr 2018
Workplace 'mindfulness' as coping mechanism for AI disruption
Two tech titans investing in the AI tools that automate jobs are also sinking money into workplace mindfulness programs aimed at helping employees become better at being human. Continue Reading
-
News
20 Apr 2018
Will the next act in the ongoing evolution of IT be its last?
The evolution of IT keeps on keeping on -- for now. But as technology becomes more integral to the business, the IT department may become extinct. MIT's Joe Peppard explains. Continue Reading
-
News
20 Apr 2018
Digital factory strategy needed to support omnipresent IT
Digital factories, framed as a business process re-engineering strategy for our tech-centric economy, reflect how the IT function continues to evolve to meet business demands. Continue Reading
-
News
20 Apr 2018
MIT Sloan: Finding your digital business model
Companies may understand the threats and opportunities a digital economy presents, but research from MIT Sloan suggests many don't have a clear sense of how to make digital revenue. Continue Reading
-
News
20 Apr 2018
Four digital business models and the capabilities they demand
Research scientist Stephanie Woerner expounds on the digital business models companies are using to compete in the digital economy and the capabilities required to succeed. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Apr 2018
Fostering human-machine collaboration is a CIO's job
Uncover why human-machine collaboration was singled out in a Forrester Research report that says it's time for enterprises to embrace AI in the workplace -- and IT has a special role to play. Continue Reading
-
News
17 Apr 2018
At Accenture, benefits of public cloud are business benefits
In this Q&A, infrastructure chief Merim Becirovic reports on the consulting company's cloud journey, discusses new technologies cloud will make possible and offers some getting-started advice. Continue Reading
-
News
17 Apr 2018
Bold cloud computing plan puts Accenture on fast track
Three years ago, the consulting company aimed to go from 10% in the public cloud to 90%. How's it faring? Infrastructure chief Merim Becirovic tells in this interview. Continue Reading
-
Tip
17 Apr 2018
How CIOs can support black box testing techniques
Ben Clark, Wayfair's chief architect, offers advice to CIOs on how to knowledgeably support AI endeavors in the enterprise, including the use of black box testing. Continue Reading
-
Feature
17 Apr 2018
CIOs won't own enterprise machine learning -- they'll enable it
How can CIOs support an enterprise machine learning initiative? They can start by building a data lake. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Apr 2018
Onus is on CIOs to address limitations of artificial intelligence
Recognizing the limitations of artificial intelligence is step No. 1 for CIOs aiming to reap its benefits, according to AI luminaries at the recent EmTech Digital conference. Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 Apr 2018
Security debt: Why you should pay attention
Akamai's Dave Lewis -- a speaker at the upcoming RSA Conference 2018 -- discusses how organizations build security debt over time and its potential risks. Continue Reading
-
Tip
13 Apr 2018
How to measure usability when selecting an RPA tool
If an RPA tool isn't user-friendly and isn't built for the long term, chances are the dividends won't be immediate. Read this before choosing your RPA tools. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Apr 2018
Twitterverse debates necessity of chief transformation officer role
IT pros on Twitter have questions about the chief transformation officer role. For starters: Isn't that role already filled by other C-level execs? Continue Reading
-
Tip
12 Apr 2018
Enterprise digitization's secret ingredient: Fusion teams
Cross-functional or 'fusion' teams are critical to meeting fast-changing digital challenges. Here are the four must-have team attributes for successful enterprise digitization. Continue Reading
-
Feature
10 Apr 2018
CIOs dissect what makes their artificial intelligence projects tick
AI has been described as the ultimate disruptor. These three IT leaders are prepping for the shake-up with artificial intelligence projects designed to harness that potential. Continue Reading
-
Feature
09 Apr 2018
Readying your IT shop for RPA software
IT's role in an RPA implementation varies depending on the scope of the project and the company's enterprise architecture. Here's how Fannie Mae, Duke Energy and Abbyy handle RPA. Continue Reading
-
News
06 Apr 2018
Voice computing goes to work with Microsoft Teams addition of Cortana
Microsoft is integrating Cortana into its Teams collaboration platform. Will it be the baby step voice computing needs to gain traction in the enterprise? The jury is out. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
05 Apr 2018
Data, the cloud and its impact on the job of CIO
Cloud computing has made it so easy to create data and move into and out of business, according to one tech vendor exec, it's changed the focus of the job of CIO. Continue Reading