April 25, 2022

This paid piece is sponsored by Dakota State University.

The pace of advancements in technology today is unprecedented, and this can be seen through digital transformation.

Digital transformation is the use of digital technologies to support existing business practices and processes or create new ones, mainly through the utilization of data.

“I think at the heart of it, digital or cyber transformation is about leveraging technology to change and improve how we do things,” said Dr. Omar El-Gayar, professor of information systems at Dakota State. “It is really how technology changes and transforms people’s lives.”

El-Gayar said digital transformation is essential to businesses moving forward in today’s world. The abundance of data, explosive growth in computing power, advances in algorithms, coupled with ubiquitous connectivity, have increased interest in digital transformation.

Digital transformation is not really new, El-Gayar said. It dates back to the 1950s with the advent of computers and use by businesses. Previously, it was associated with back-office operations such as payroll or processing invoices and payments. The difference today is the pace of change, along with the penetration and pervasiveness of that change.

Companies that have moved forward with digital transformation include the banking industry, for example, El-Gayar said. Banks began with brick-and-mortar locations and advanced to online and internet banking. Now, some have transformed into what are known as internet banks. There is no physical presence; all services are digitally provided and enabled.

Other businesses utilizing digital transformation include Uber, which transformed the transportation industry, and Airbnb, which changed the hotel industry. They utilize unused vehicles and spaces from others, providing a service without owning the inventory like a car rental agency or hotel.

In addition to new businesses, digital transformation also has led to the development of new positions in businesses and organizations. The chief digital officer is one position that has emerged through these advancements. Its role, El-Gayar said, is to combine technology with the business aspects to create solutions that weren’t envisioned before.

Opportunities continually will open up for businesses and organizations, including governments and individuals, to leverage these technologies in ways that we might not even be able to speak of right now, El-Gayar said.

Digital transformation will impact virtually every aspect of our lives, including business, retail, manufacturing, travel and health care.

El-Gayar is proud of the programs available to DSU students that prepare them for digital transformation as they go out into the world.

“DSU is actually uniquely positioned to provide education and learning experiences for our students,” he said.

The computer information systems program at DSU helps students become proficient in business and technology, working with programming languages, application development, database administration, data analytics, networking, project management and more.

“They become very versatile and very competent with respect to the underlying technical skills and knowledge,” he said.

El-Gayar enjoys working with the students, introducing them to the technology and then observing how they leverage technology in innovative ways. In this field, El-Gayar said, “the sky’s the limit.”