The digital transformation landscape is rapidly evolving, with organizations worldwide recognizing the necessity of integrating advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency and meet the ever-growing demands of modern society.

The convergence of cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data management platforms has become a pivotal focus, driving innovations that promise to streamline processes and deliver real-time insights. This paradigm shift is particularly evident in sectors where timely and accurate data processing is crucial, such as disaster relief and community support services.

“We’re living in this digital world now, and I think a lot of charities have not really recognized that you need to shift into that digital mode. Without doing it, you will still operate, but you won’t be as efficient or as fast as you can be,” said Brett Wilson (pictured, left), chief information officer of the Australian Red Cross.

This statement underscores the urgency and necessity for organizations, especially in the non-profit sector, to adopt a digital-first approach to remain relevant and effective in their missions.

Brett Wilson and Thomas Lai discuss the Australian Red Cross’ digital transformation at Boomi World.

Wilson and Thomas Lai (right), vice president of global accounts at Boomi LP, spoke with theCUBE Research executive analyst John Furrier at Boomi World, during an exclusive broadcast on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. They discussed how digital transformation, through AI and cloud computing, is revolutionizing disaster relief and business operations, with insights from the Australian Red Cross and the Asia-Pacific and Japan markets. (* Disclosure below.)

Digital transformation in disaster relief

The Australian Red Cross, operating across 192 national societies, has recently completed a significant digital transformation. Over the past 12 to 18 months, the organization has focused on building a robust digital foundation to enhance its emergency and disaster relief operations.

“We did seven platforms in 12 months,” said Wilson, highlighting the ambitious nature of their project. The transformation aimed to streamline processes, improve data flow and integrate legacy systems with modern technology.

“Now, we’re really focusing around how do we leverage off emerging technologies that are coming through, such as AI,” Wilson added.

This transformation has not only been about upgrading technology, but also about rethinking how the organization operates at its core. The Red Cross has moved entirely to the cloud, a decision driven by the need for agility, speed and efficiency.

“One of the key things for us is we want a platform approach, so for us it was around how do we get more out of a platform rather than best of breed,” Wilson explained.

This strategy has allowed the organization to leverage data across multiple platforms, providing staff and end users, particularly those in the field, with timely and accurate information.

The shift to cloud computing has also introduced challenges, particularly in managing costs.

“It’s so easy to spin up another service or something else like that, and you don’t see the cost until the end of the month,” Wilson said.

Thus, cost optimization remains a critical focus, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently while maximizing the benefits of cloud technology.

Navigating the APJ market

The APJ markets face unique challenges and opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic had a more pronounced impact in this region, with extended lockdowns and stringent travel restrictions.

“The COVID situation was much more amplified there and much more of an extended duration,” Lai said. “They even had rules where people couldn’t travel between various counties and states.”

This context has driven a surge in digital adoption as organizations strive to avoid the disruptions experienced during the pandemic.

“All of these organizations are in the quest to catch up to not go through that ever again,” Lai added.

The APJ market is characterized by a mix of smaller businesses and medium-sized enterprises, contrasting with the larger multinationals commonly seen in North America. This diversity necessitates a tailored approach to digital transformation, often involving phased implementation strategies.

Boomi’s role in this landscape has been instrumental, providing the necessary tools and platforms to facilitate seamless transitions to the cloud. Making these solutions accessible and straightforward for smaller businesses is critical.

“We’ve been successful in both contexts, either figuring out a phased approach or in the midsize business making it so shrink-wrapped in nature and packaged that it’s easy for them to say yes to,” Lai said.

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE Research’s coverage of Boomi World:

(* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for Boomi World. Neither Boomi LP, the sponsor of theCUBE’s event coverage, nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE