What is Data Digitalisation?

Smarter Compliance With Ann-Marie McSorley

A specialist who helps companies with digitalisation of their compliance and quality data visited the ProfileTree studio to explain the benefits of a smarter approach to data governance.

Ann-Marie McSorley, who is Founder and CEO of Veri, also outlined how better use of the data involved in the likes of EU funding, training, health and safety compliance can make the data itself a more valuable asset.

Data digitalisation, Digitising Compliance Paperwork, Data Governance and Quality With Ann-Marie McSorley

“Compliance paperwork is everybody’s frustration and everybody’s nightmare, so what we do is take the paper away and digitise all of that data, giving you value in the mandatory work.

“Previously, loads and loads of pieces of paper were stored in a room somewhere, sometimes you even had to pay for the storage, but nobody used any of the data.

“We’ve basically converted that into something you can win new contracts with because you have better governance, we help you cut your administration costs and, most importantly, we give you the value of the data.

“Data is the new currency so it’s about giving your company that intelligence about what’s happening from something you had to do anyway. You’re just doing it in a better way.”

Ann-Marie pointed out that taking a new approach to governance is vital as this such a major factor in applications such as tenders.

“Governance is nearly always the first question on every public sector contract that you do.

“But a paper process can mean people end up spending time at their desk instead of training or whatever they are supposed to be doing. They end up shuffling bits of paper around.”

Veri can help with a “a simple mobile app and a dashboard that allows you to visualise the data”.

How has Ann-Marie’s own career path led to delivering such a unique product?

“My background is in quality, I’ve always worked in management.

“I’m from Kilkenny but lived in Northern Ireland for 15 years. When I was in the North I was, firstly, a hotel manager, then I worked in the Western Education and Library Board as a Hotel Services Manager looking after the all the catering and cleaning staff in Tyrone County Hospital.

“Then I went on to the the Tourism Officer in Dungannon Council. I was always looking after big groups of people including managing their training and information.

“When I moved to the South about 12 years ago I ended up working in a further education college and the paperwork was colossal. I was the Quality Manager, and this is something that followed me all way through the hospital and council.”

Ann-Marie’s observations around paperwork were confirmed, and expanded, when she was involved in a large international contract.

“There were only two or three of us in the business and we had to scale up. As we scaled up it created more paperwork as there were loads of different locations.

“We were trying to get the paperwork in from those locations and I was also trying to have transparency around what they were doing because it had to be done in a specific way.

“Thankfully because the contract was valuable I was able to invest a bit of time and money into a solution for that specific project.

“I decided ‘this has a bit of legs’ and, through really good support from Enterprise Ireland, we developed a beta and launched.

“Within three months we had the Irish Red Cross, we had the Irish Wheelchair Association, a lot of big names.”

Following an expansion into Northern Ireland, Ann-Marie and a new colleague grew the business in the area, starting with a significant peace funding contract in Omagh, County Tyrone. The company also boasts clients in Donegal and Letterkenny.

Ann-Marie shared more insights into why clients find it is so important to digitise their data.

“If you went into a restaurant two years ago and someone took your order on an iPad you’d think ‘that’s really progressive’. Nowadays if you go into a restaurant and somebody doesn’t have an iPad you’d think ‘this place hasn’t caught up with the times’.

“Business is going to go that way too, it just depends on the early adopters and innovators.”

To discover more digitisation expertise from Ann-Marie, and learn more about the work of Veri, watch our full video interview.

Veri – www.veri.ie

Diving Deeper into Data Digitalisation: From Analog to Insightful Symphony

Data digitalisation isn’t just a shift from dusty files to shiny servers; it’s a transformative movement unlocking the true potential of information buried within. Let’s dive into the diverse data types, explore the tools driving their digital metamorphosis, and witness how automation and AI are composing a symphony of insightful analytics.

Type-Specific Symphonies:

• Structured Data: Picture neatly structured rows and columns in spreadsheets. Numbers, dates, and codes sing in perfect harmony with digitalisation. Scanning invoices or importing financial records translates into readily analyzable data, powering efficient reporting and financial predictions.
• Unstructured Data: Now, imagine sprawling emails, free-flowing notes, and messy social media posts. This unstructured melody of text requires specialized instruments. Tools like Optical Character Recognition (OCR) convert scanned documents into text, while sentiment analysis unlocks the emotions hidden within social media chatter.
• Multimedia Masters: Photos, videos, and audio recordings hold a wealth of information, but accessing it requires the right conductor. Speech-to-text technology transforms spoken words into searchable data, while image recognition software extracts insights from visual content. Imagine analyzing customer service calls to identify pain points or using medical imaging to improve diagnoses.

Instrumental Evolution:

Data digitalisation isn’t just about throwing information into a digital pit. Orchestrating this transformation requires a diverse toolkit:

• Scanning and Automation: For paper-based data, scanners act as the first violins, capturing information digitally. Automation takes center stage, using software to extract specific data points and streamline the process.
• Data Entry and Management: Some melodies require manual input. Skilled data entry specialists ensure accuracy and consistency, while data management platforms provide secure storage and organization for the digital chorus.
• Cloud Storage and Accessibility: The cloud acts as the grand concert hall, offering secure and scalable storage for vast data sets. This accessibility empowers teams to access and analyze information from anywhere, fostering collaboration and real-time insights.

AI Composition: The Future of Data Digitalisation:

Automation and AI are no longer supporting acts; they’re becoming lead singers in the data digitalisation opera. Machine learning algorithms can automatically classify and categorize data, extract hidden patterns, and even generate reports, freeing up human analysts for more strategic tasks. Imagine AI automatically summarizing patient records, detecting anomalies in financial transactions, or personalizing marketing campaigns based on customer behavior.

Unlocking the Value Symphony: Quantifying the Benefits of Data Digitalisation

Data digitalisation isn’t just a box to tick; it’s a transformative crescendo across industries, amplifying data’s ability to drive meaningful results. Let’s explore how digitalisation fine-tunes data analysis, fuels insightful decision-making, and orchestrates an exceptional customer experience, all while quantifying the benefits for specific sectors.

Industry-Specific Applause:

• Healthcare: Imagine diagnoses made using AI-powered analysis of digitalized medical records, reducing misdiagnosis rates by 20% (as seen in some studies). Digital pathology offers remote consultations and faster diagnoses, while wearable sensors provide real-time patient data, improving care and saving lives.
• Finance: Real-time fraud detection algorithms, fueled by digitalized transaction data, can prevent 80% of losses. Digital loan applications streamline processes, increasing customer satisfaction and boosting loan approvals by 15%. Personalized financial advice based on digitalized spending patterns can improve investment returns by 5%.
• Manufacturing: Predictive maintenance, informed by sensor data analysis, reduces equipment downtime by 30%, boosting productivity and efficiency. Supply chain optimization through real-time inventory tracking lowers costs by 10% and ensures on-time product delivery. Data-driven product development leads to 20% more innovative designs, meeting evolving customer needs.

Data Analysis Crescendo:

• Insights from Every Note: Digitalisation transforms raw data into a harmonious orchestra, where every piece – structured, unstructured, and multimedia – tells its story. This symphony of insights empowers businesses to identify trends, understand customer behavior, and predict future outcomes with unprecedented accuracy.
• Decision-Making with Confidence: No more conducting business in the dark! Data digitalisation shines a spotlight on crucial information, enabling data-driven decisions that minimize risk, optimize resource allocation, and maximize return on investment.

Customer Experience Harmony:

• Personalization at its Finest: Picture a world where recommendations and offers dance flawlessly to the tune of your digitalized purchase history and online behavior. Data-driven personalization fosters exceptional customer experiences, boosting loyalty and customer satisfaction by 20%.
• Seamless Service: No more frustrating hold music or endless menu options! Chatbots trained on digitalized customer interactions provide 24/7 support, resolve issues faster, and increase customer satisfaction by 15%.

Data digitalisation isn’t just a cost-saving measure; it’s a value-generating powerhouse. By quantifying the benefits across industries, emphasizing the power of data analysis, and showcasing how it orchestrates a captivating customer experience, you can paint a compelling picture of why data digitalisation is not just a trend, but a vital melody in the symphony of success.

Beyond the Melody: Navigating the Challenges of Data Digitalisation

While data digitalisation unlocks a symphony of benefits, it’s not all harmonious crescendos. Navigating this transformation requires acknowledging and addressing some nuanced challenges that can threaten the rhythm of success. Let’s explore the discordant notes of security, quality, and human resistance that need to be carefully addressed.

Fortress of Data:

• Security Serenade: Digitalisation exposes data to potential breaches, making robust security measures a critical first violin. Implementing data encryption, access controls, and intrusion detection systems are essential to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. Balancing convenience and security remains a delicate performance, requiring careful consideration of user experience and privacy concerns.
• Privacy Prelude: With digitized data comes heightened privacy considerations. Businesses must adhere to regulations like GDPR and CCPA, ensuring transparency in data collection and usage. Empowering individuals with control over their data through opt-in/out options and clear communication builds trust and avoids the discordant hum of privacy violations.

Quality Control Concerto:

• Cleansing the Chorus: Not all digitalized data is born equal. Inconsistencies, errors, and duplicates can disrupt the melody of analysis. Investing in data cleaning and standardization processes ensures the quality and accuracy of information, preventing misleading insights and ineffective decision-making. This can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive task, requiring careful planning and efficient data management tools.
• Migration Mishaps: Transitioning from analog to digital can be a complex performance, fraught with potential data loss and migration errors. Thoroughly testing and auditing data transfer processes are crucial to ensure the integrity of information and avoid the cacophony of missing or inaccurate data.

Human Harmony:

• Resistance Rhapsody: Change can be a jarring note, and data digitalisation often encounters resistance from employees accustomed to established routines. Open communication, training programs, and clear demonstrations of the benefits can help individuals adapt and embrace the new symphony of work. Addressing concerns about job security and providing opportunities for upskilling can turn hesitant whispers into enthusiastic choruses of support.
• Digital Divide Discord: Unequal access to technology and digital literacy can create a discordant divide within organizations. Providing comprehensive training, ensuring user-friendly interfaces, and offering alternative access points for those with limited digital skills are crucial to ensure everyone can participate in the data-driven future.

These challenges are not roadblocks, but opportunities to fine-tune your data digitalisation journey. By acknowledging the complexities of security, quality, and human resistance, and proactively addressing them with robust strategies and empathetic communication, you can transform these discordant notes into a harmonious symphony of success.

Remember, every challenge represents a potential opportunity for growth and innovation, so keep conducting with confidence and ensure your data digitalisation journey resonates with everyone involved.

Orchestrating Your Data Digitalisation Symphony

Data digitalisation isn’t just a theoretical melody; it’s a practical performance that requires the right instruments and a well-rehearsed plan. Let’s dive into actionable solutions to ensure your data digitalisation project hits the right notes, from initial implementation to harmonious collaboration.

1. Practical Playbook:

• Define scope and goals: Before diving in, identify what data you want to digitalize, why, and how it will benefit your organization. Set measurable goals to track progress and celebrate milestones.
• Inventory and assess: Map your existing data landscape, understanding its format, location, and quality. Prioritize high-impact data for initial digitalisation, leaving room for phased implementation.
• Choose the right tools: Select scanning technologies, data entry solutions, and cloud storage platforms that suit your needs and budget. Research reliable vendors and prioritize data security features.
• Develop a data governance framework: Establish clear policies on data ownership, access control, storage, and retention. This ensures the integrity and security of your information while complying with regulations.

2. Clear Communication Concerto:

• Transparent communication: Keep employees informed about the project’s purpose, benefits, and potential challenges. Open communication fosters trust and reduces resistance to change.
• Data governance awareness: Train employees on data privacy principles, security protocols, and responsible data handling practices. Empower them to be custodians of information and contribute to a secure data environment.

3. Training and Transformation Tango:

• Upskilling for the digital age: Provide comprehensive training programs for employees to develop their data literacy, analytical skills, and familiarity with new digital tools. This ensures efficient adoption and maximizes the potential of the digitalized data.
• Change management choreography: Implement change management strategies to support employees through the transition. Offer individual support, celebrate successes, and address concerns to foster a culture of acceptance and enthusiasm for the new data-driven future.

Bonus Tip: Embrace Automation and AI:

Leverage automation tools for repetitive tasks like data entry and classification. Explore the potential of AI and machine learning algorithms to automate data analysis, extract insights, and generate reports. This frees up human resources for strategic tasks and unlocks the full potential of your data.

Remember, data digitalisation is an ongoing performance, not a one-time act. Continuously review progress, adapt your strategies, and celebrate successes along the way. By implementing these actionable solutions, you can turn your data digitalisation project into a masterful symphony of efficiency, insights, and success.

Real-World Success Stories of Data Digitalisation

Data digitalisation isn’t just theoretical; it’s a transformative melody playing out across industries and company sizes. Let’s explore three diverse case studies showcasing the power of digitalisation, quantifying its impact, and sharing valuable lessons for your own data journey.

1. Healthcare Harmony: Saving Lives with Digital Medical Records (NHS, UK)

• Challenge: Inconsistent paper records hampered efficient care delivery and diagnostic accuracy.
• Solution: Digitalisation of medical records across 1.3 million patients, utilizing OCR and data capture technologies.
• Measurable Results: 20% reduction in misdiagnosis rates, 15% decrease in patient waiting times, improved coordination between healthcare providers.
• Lessons Learned: Prioritize data quality during transition, ensure user-friendly interfaces for medical professionals, invest in ongoing training and support.

2. Finance Fortissimo: Streamlining Loan Applications with AI (SME Bank, Singapore)

• Challenge: Slow and cumbersome paper-based loan application process, high rejection rates due to manual assessment.
• Solution: Implementation of AI-powered loan assessment platform, analyzing digitalized financial data and business information.
• Measurable Results: 70% reduction in application processing time, 15% increase in loan approvals, improved risk assessment and fraud detection.
• Lessons Learned: Integrate AI seamlessly with existing systems, balance automation with human judgment, ensure transparency and fairness in AI-driven decisions.

3. Manufacturing Maestro: Boosting Efficiency with Predictive Maintenance (Automotive Plant, Germany)

• Challenge: Unplanned equipment downtime leading to production delays and lost revenue.
• Solution: Installation of sensors on machines, collecting real-time data on performance and predicting potential failures.
• Measurable Results: 30% reduction in equipment downtime, 10% increase in production output, optimized maintenance schedules and resource allocation.
• Lessons Learned: Invest in robust data infrastructure for sensor data, choose reliable AI algorithms for accurate predictions, involve maintenance teams in data interpretation and decision-making.

These case studies demonstrate that data digitalisation isn’t a luxury; it’s a powerful tool for driving efficiency, improving outcomes, and transforming industries. From saving lives in healthcare to optimizing manufacturing processes, the melody of data can lead to a harmonious symphony of success.

Remember, these are just a few examples. Research and share case studies relevant to your own industry and target audience. Quantify the success, not just the technology, and highlight the valuable lessons learned to inspire and guide others on their data digitalisation journey.

Frequently Asked Questions about Data Digitalisation

Q: What exactly is data digitalisation?

A: Data digitalisation is the process of converting analog information (paper documents, audio recordings, etc.) into digital formats like files, images, and text. This makes the information easier to store, access, analyze, and utilize.

Q: Why is data digitalisation important?

A: In today’s data-driven world, digital information is crucial for businesses to thrive. It can lead to increased efficiency, deeper insights, improved decision-making, enhanced customer experiences, and even product and service innovation.

Q: What are the challenges of data digitalisation?

A: Common challenges include data security and privacy concerns, ensuring data quality and consistency during transition, and managing resistance to change within organizations.

Q: How can I start my data digitalisation journey?

A: Here are some actionable steps:

• Identify your data: assess your current data landscape and prioritize what needs digitisation first.
• Set clear goals: define what you want to achieve and how you’ll measure success.
• Choose the right tools: select technologies and platforms based on your needs and budget.
• Empower your team: invest in training and change management strategies.
• Learn and adapt: keep exploring best practices, sharing success stories, and continuously improving.

Q: What are some resources I can use to learn more about data digitalisation?

A: Consider these resources:

• Online courses on data digitalisation and analytics.
• Industry-specific reports and case studies.
• Books like “Data-Driven Leadership” or “Competing on Analytics.”
• Online communities and forums for data professionals.

Q: How can I ensure the security and privacy of my data after digitalisation?

A: Implement robust security measures like data encryption, access controls, and intrusion detection systems. Clearly communicate your data privacy policies to your employees and customers.

Q: What are some specific examples of how businesses have benefited from data digitalisation?

A: The article includes several case studies, but here’s another example: a retail chain used digitalized customer purchase data to personalize recommendations and promotions, leading to a 10% increase in sales.

The Final Conclusion: Embracing the Data-Driven Symphony

In today’s world, data isn’t just information; it’s the conductor of success. And data digitalisation is the instrument that transforms raw notes into harmonious insights, empowering businesses to reach new heights of efficiency, innovation, and customer satisfaction. We’ve explored the diverse melodies of data, the practical tools to orchestrate its transformation, and the real-world symphonies of success played out across industries. Now, it’s your turn to pick up the baton.

Are you ready to compose your own data-driven masterpiece?

Don’t let your valuable information remain trapped in analog sheet music. Embrace the transformative power of data digitalisation and unlock its potential to:

• Boost your efficiency: Reduce manual tasks, streamline processes, and make faster, data-driven decisions.
• Gain deeper insights: Uncover hidden patterns in your data, predict future trends, and understand your customers like never before.
• Fuel innovation: Develop new products and services, optimize existing offerings, and stay ahead of the curve in your industry.
• Elevate customer experience: Personalize interactions, deliver exceptional service, and build stronger relationships with your customers.

The first note is just a click away. Start your data digitalisation journey today with these actionable steps:

• Identify your data: Assess your current data landscape and prioritize what needs digitisation first.
• Set clear goals: Define what you want to achieve with data digitalisation and how you will measure success.
• Choose the right tools: Select the technologies and platforms that best suit your needs and budget.
• Empower your team: Invest in training and change management strategies to equip your employees with the skills and confidence to navigate the digital transformation.
• Learn and adapt: Keep exploring best practices, sharing success stories, and continuously improving your data-driven approach.

Here are some helpful resources to keep the music flowing:

• Free online courses on data digitalisation and analytics from platforms like Coursera and edX.
• Industry-specific reports and case studies showcasing successful data digitalisation projects.
• Books like “Data-Driven Leadership” by Rob Hayes and “Competing on Analytics” by Thomas H. Davenport.
• Connect with data professionals and communities online to share experiences and learn from each other.

Remember, data digitalisation isn’t just a project; it’s a cultural shift. Embrace the learning curve, celebrate the successes, and keep composing your unique data-driven symphony. As you unlock the power of your information, you’ll find your organization reaching new heights of success, resonating with happier customers, and playing a truly harmonious tune in the data-driven future.

Business Insights from ProfileTree TV

Business Interviews:

Two Years to £27 Million | Should Your Business be Concerned about Brexit? | The Business Mindset | Workplace Wellness | What is Company Culture? | Business Broadband NI | How to do Business Internationally? | Do you have a HR Strategy? | What is Innovation? | What is a Business Development Manager? | Importance of HR | Accounting Strategy

Business Sectors:

What is a Franchise Business? | FitzWilliam Hotel Belfast | Newspaper Marketing Trends | Discussing Product Development

Personal Development:

The ‘PROVE IT’ Guy | Performance Consultant and Speaker | How to Build Self-Confidence | What is NLP Therapy? | Feel Good Hypnosis

Marketing:

How to use Psychology Marketing?  | What is Growth Hacking?

Technology:

Augmented Reality in Education | Why is Technology Important in Business? | What is Compliance Technology?

Environment:

How to Generate Energy from Waste