With an overwhelming amount of information generated daily, all of which is available at the click of a button, organizations are drowning in data. And, as a result, many businesses are struggling to tap into the potential of data insights for innovation and growth. This, in turn, leads to missed opportunities, financial losses, and an impact on digital employee experience (DEX). So, how can we use data to drive improved DEX?
When it comes to DEX, harnessing data is key to unlocking transformative business outcomes. In this blog, we’ll explore the data dilemma, and how leveraging hidden or unused data can help improve digital employee experiences.
The challenge of data overload
The digital age has brought with it an explosion of data. According to the latest estimates, 402.74 million terabytes of data are created daily. This growth introduces a new challenge for organizations; Data overload.
Data overload refers to the overwhelming volume of data generated across platforms, devices, and applications. It’s no surprise then, that masses of data go unused or unseen by businesses. The inability to process and use this data leads to wasted resources and missed opportunities. As explained by Forbes, “the sheer quantity of information available compromises the quality it aims to enhance, overwhelming management instead of enabling more informed decision-making.”
Another reason data might go unused is that it’s trapped in disparate systems, like legacy on-prem databases or a data lake that has become disorganized.
The cost of unused or overlooked data can be considerable for a business. Financially speaking, poor data management and unleveraged data can cost businesses up to $12.9 million annually. Organizations will also see an impact on DEX, affecting employee productivity and efficiency. These costs stem from inefficiencies, poor decision-making, and disruptions to operations caused by bad or unused data.
So, what can be done? Providing IT with the means to tap into this wealth of information can unlock insights, empower businesses to solve complex problems, drive innovation, and enhance their digital experiences. Making data-driven decisions and utilizing real-time insights works to decrease downtime, speed up problem resolution, and improve employee productivity.
Unlocking the Potential: DEX Magic 8 Ball
We’ve covered the ‘what’, now let’s look at the ‘how’. How can your organization unlock the hidden potential of data? How can you benefit from the enhanced digital experiences this data yields? The answer lies in letting your DEX tools become a conduit for leveraging those overlooked and unused data insights.
There are three key areas of DEX tools to consider:
- Observability – observation, typically through data
- Impact – how can we use data to make an impact
- Report – using data to understand progress and the overall sentiment of users
The DEX Magic 8 Ball
Most of us are familiar with the Magic 8 Ball; a game designed for those seeking advice. The ball responds to questions with answers that encourage lateral thinking from the asker.
Now, imagine having a Magic 8 Ball that provides thought-provoking answers to complex workplace problems. DEX tools can serve a similar function, using unused or overlooked data to surface critical insights. These tools give you access to otherwise unnoticed data. They help organizations make informed decisions, anticipate future challenges, and "think outside the box" to solve pressing issues.
For example:
- Edge and cloud AI tools provide you with end-user computing insights and data. This helps you make informed decisions and anticipate and resolve IT problems before they become IT friction.
- Experience analytics tools provide data around end-user experiences on endpoints and software. This helps you spot and resolve IT issues faster, using both historical and current insights to monitor friction factors that affect the digital workplace.
- IT Asset Management (ITAM) tools provide real-time software and hardware inventory data. This helps you make data-driven decisions about devices and software in your environment.
By investing in DEX tools, and building your own ‘DEX Magic 8 Ball’, you'll gain a powerful ally in turning unused data into actionable outcomes. This assists in preparing for future demands, establishing proactive IT practices, and contributing directly to improved digital experiences.
The ROI and benefits
Now for the ‘why’. Why invest in DEX tools? Why prioritize unused data?
The real value of DEX tools lies in their ability to transform data insights into actions that improve overall business performance:
- Optimize application performance: By identifying bottlenecks and areas for improvement through hidden or unused data, DEX tools help improve the efficiency of critical applications.
- Enhance network connectivity: Data insights can reveal connectivity issues and enable IT teams to make necessary adjustments to improve employee access.
- Improve device usability: Insights into device performance help organizations ensure that employees are working with optimal technology, minimizing frustrations.
- Boost employee satisfaction: ultimately, improved DEX as the above examples outline, leads to happier, more productive, and more engaged employees.
Bringing together data and DEX solutions yields tangible business results, including increased productivity, reduced operational costs, and improved customer satisfaction. By enhancing the digital experiences of employees, businesses can see significant ROI, both in terms of efficiency and long-term growth.
Real-world examples of DEX-driven actions
- Identifying and addressing performance issues before they impact productivity.
- Optimizing IT infrastructure to ensure better connectivity and device functionality.
- Improving employee support by analyzing data on common issues and streamlining responses.
By focusing on outcomes, DEX tools help businesses make informed decisions that directly improve the day-to-day experience of employees. This translates to a more efficient, effective workplace.
Data responsibility
It’s important to remember that as organizations continue turning to data to inform their DEX strategies, we must do so responsibly. Only collect the data needed to drive outcomes.
Once you have the tools and infrastructure in place, you need governance policies and frameworks to outline the methods people can use to access and analyze data. By committing to responsible data practices, businesses can use data without compromising trust and security.
Conclusion
Leveraging the full potential of unused or overlooked data is essential for improving DEX and driving meaningful business outcomes. By tapping into unused data with your DEX tools—or DEX Magic 8 Ball, businesses can proactively resolve IT issues, streamline operations, and create a more effective, seamless digital environment. These tools can be powerful in guiding decision-making, predicting future needs, and addressing challenges with a data-backed approach.
Ultimately, integrating DEX solutions offers a high ROI, translating to lower operational costs, greater employee engagement, and long-term growth.
