Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on digital transformation

This is confirmed by the latest report by Polcom and Intel developed by Computerworld. According to 59 percent of the respondents, the pandemic significantly increased the role of IT in companies.

Divided opinions

However, not everyone is of the opinion that the pandemic has accelerated business transformation. 34 percent of those surveyed, when asked about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the digital transformation of their companies, responded that it did not have a significant impact on digitization processes.

On the other hand, 8 percent of respondents claim that the pandemic has actually had the opposite effect – it has slowed down digital transformation, which may be related to the introduced restrictions, such as lockdown measures.

A chance for some

According to Mariusz Juranek, Sales Director at Polcom, some managers have noticed opportunities for implementing certain projects during the pandemic.

Efficient managers could have seen the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to carry out projects related to digital transformation, such as remote work (digital workplace), process digitalization and automation, or improving customer service quality, including the ability to handle many matters online without the need for personal contact. A common response from companies to the pandemic was, among other things, migrating systems to the cloud, which enabled smooth communication and business continuity despite the exceptional circumstances. The most difficulties and challenges were faced by companies that had not previously planned for such actions and were completely unprepared for them.

Changing role of IT managers

In recent years, the approach and role of IT managers have also changed. They are now individuals who should function as catalysts for innovation, introducing new technologies to organizations. This is stated by as many as 94 percent of participants in the study conducted for the report “IT Investments for the Development of Polish Companies in 2021-2022: Cloud and New Technologies.”

On the other hand, 83 percent of respondents note that an efficient IT manager must be able to bridge the world of technology with the world of business.

Today, a good IT manager is a strategic business partner who not only initiates the introduction of new technologies but also leads the company through the process of digitalization. Many previously held functions and tasks are delegated to an external provider, giving them time and space to focus on business-critical activities and supporting the company on its path of digital transformation – noted Piotr Wieczorek, IT Business Partner at Grupa Neuca.