The Enterprise Architecture Blog

The words ‘digital transformation’ can be heard everywhere. Constantly mentioned in a business context, it may seem as if digital transformation is here to overthrow entire industries. At LeanIX, we view digital transformation as an important tool to redefine your business and catapult your organization swiftly into the digital age.

What exactly is digital transformation, and why is it key for enterprise architects to get involved?

In a previous post, we highlighted three use cases solved with Enterprise Architecture: Integration Architecture, Technology Obsolescence, and Data Compliance. For a full overview of these Enterprise Architecture use cases, and specialized EA tools may help, see this post. 

This third and final installment of the 9 uses cases solved with Enterprise Architecture; we highlight the following four use-cases: Standards Governance, Monolith to Microservices, Cloud Transformation, and IoT Architecture.

In a previous post, we highlighted two use cases solved with Enterprise Architecture: Post Merger Harmonization and Application Rationalization. For a full overview of these Enterprise Architecture use cases, and specialized EA tools may help, see this post. 

This second installment of the 9 uses cases solved with Enterprise Architecture; we highlight the following three use-cases: Integration Architecture, Technology Obsolescence, and Data Compliance. 

What value proposition does enterprise architecture provide? Three short years ago, the demand for Enterprise Architects was on the decline - leaving many to believe that the days of Enterprise Architecture were over. Currently, digital transformation has uncovered the true value of Enterprise Architecture. With correct Enterprise Architecture Management in place, organizations can build a holistic view of their strategy, processes, information, and IT assets to support the most efficient and secure IT environment.

86% of corporate professionals cite lack of collaboration or ineffective communication as the main reason for workplace failures, and 94% feel collaboration is essential in today’s workplace. 97% of professionals believe a lack of alignment within a team directly impacts the outcome of a task or project.

The correct enterprise architecture supports the needs of various stakeholders. Each stakeholder has different informational needs that can be solved by enterprise architecture.

For example:

• Which applications support my processes? (BPO)
• What risks are posed by technological obsolescence? (CTO)
• Which applications contain sensitive data? (CISO)

There has long existed a barrier between those who need a technological solution and those who provide one. As previously discussed, IT departments were once known only for their business enablement and operational support. The business side would slowly form a directive of things needed, and IT would respond by providing the technical support.

IT departments were once known only for their business enablement and operational support. If you were locked out of your workspace, you’d call the IT department. If you needed to set up a new network, Bob from IT was at your service. Due to the impact of digitization, many analysts predict that IT departments will play a more strategic role in supporting their companies through technology-based business innovation and digital initiatives.

Global business processes demand that information be shared quickly and efficiently across many different software, tasks, and applications. LeanIX internal research indicates that large enterprises with more than €1 billion annual revenue have an average of 650 applications deployed at one time. The 10% largest companies have an average of a staggering 3400 applications.

Maybe you didn't invest $100 in bitcoin in 2011, rendering you a multi-millionaire now, but there are more exciting outcomes on the way from the technology that supports Bitcoin - blockchain. Blockchain is a revolutionary technology that is sparking innovation across various industries. According to a recent study, 10-15% of all transactions will be based on blockchain by 2025.