The Importance of Data

A digital transformation project is only successful if a comprehensive and holistic approach and digital transformation strategy is applied from the outset

Transformation encompasses all processes, interactions, and transactions, as well as a multitude of internal and external factors unique to an organisation. Get it right, and the benefits are plentiful, including the consolidation of processes and operations, greater collaboration across departments, increased agility, and data-driven insights, which will result in improved customer experiences and cost savings through greater efficiencies.

Digital transformation provides businesses with real-time information and greater visibility into operations, particularly when it comes to the performance of people and assets. Armed with this data, organisations can gain an accurate understanding of precisely who their customers are and how they behave, as well as enable them to identify trends, influence change, and make the necessary and immediate improvements that will drive efficiencies and reduce costs.

Data is at the heart of the digital government transformation. According to Gartner, the transition to digital government requires careful planning of a digital transformation strategy and a focus on outcomes. To be successful, government CIOs must guide the digital journey, tackling both the strategic and tactical challenges with a relentless focus on using and sharing data to make government services more proactive, and its operations more efficient.

Data in Action

Version 1 partnered with Northern Ireland’s largest public transport provider Translink, responsible for over 81 million bus and rail passenger journeys each year.

The transportation industry has experienced transformative change within the area of data in recent times, with the introduction of onboard sensors, data collection points, vehicle location, ticketing, fare collection, and scheduling management systems.  Translink, with its vision ‘To be your first choice for travel in Northern Ireland’, partnered with Version 1 to gain maximum value from the huge amounts of data captured from these different sources. Within 10 weeks of working with Translink, Version 1 developed a modern data platform using software from the Microsoft technology stack.

We simplified the process of analysing data across Translink’s entire estate, allowing its employees to drive efficiencies and add value to its business and customers.  The results were impressive, with Translink reporting a 95 percent reduction in data report preparation time and a dramatically improved customer experience. Paul McGrattan, Information & Technology Manager at Translink, said:

Engaging with a highly-skilled and collaborative Version 1 team and leveraging their expertise in the Data and Analytics space, we were able to implement – within 10 weeks – a Microsoft analytics solution that covered multiple areas of our business. This is a significant first step towards our ambition to become a modern data-driven transport organisation.