Question

Write a short note.

Characteristics of digitalisation

Answer 1

1. Computerisation: There is an expansion of the use of computers in all walks of life. Processes which were earlier manual or cumbersome, have now been simplified through programming, information technology and computer science. This has aided the process of computerisation, which in turn has digitised processes for several sectors, for example, education, banking, revenue, taxation, marketing etc.
2. Frequent change: Digitalisation had led to frequent changes in business models due to growth in technologies. For instance, artificial Intelligence is used for various purposes such as production, manufacturing, robotics, designing etc.
3. Speed and accuracy: Digitalisation has escalated the speed of processes with a far greater extent of accuracy. For instance, data mining, data processing, data analysis, enable faster speeds, higher degrees of accuracy. These in turn aid enhanced efficiency in various sectors - governance, medicine, trade, commerce, banking, insurance, real estate, stock markets, communication and transportation systems.
4. Technology driven: Needless to say, digitalisation is based on technology, innovation, research and development. For instance, today we talk of fifth generation microprocessors as against 386 and 486 microprocessors in the 1980s. In the world of mobile technology, we are now shifting to 5G technologies.
5. Spurred creativity: The need for instant data and quick solutions to problems, has encouraged human minds to invent, innovate, patent and create. For instance, in the context of pilot training, simulators enable the trainees to get a cockpit experience before they actually fly aeroplanes. It had to be a creative mind that invented the cockpit simulator.
6. Importance to customers: Digitalisation is finally meant to have utility value to the end users, i.e. the clients who are recipients of such processes. All processes such as filing income tax returns, obtaining birth and death certificates, declaration of election results etc. make use of digitalisation. It has radically transformed the processes as compared to those used just a few decades ago.