KT, Digital-X Summit 2021... 'Strategies for Successful Corporate DX Implementation'
[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] “Start small. Collaborate with companies equipped with digital capabilities. Build an agile organization and culture.”
Shin Sujeong, Head of KT Enterprise Division (Vice President), said this during her keynote speech titled “Strategies for the Successful Promotion of Corporate Digital Transformation (DX)” at the ‘Digital-X Summit 2021’ held online on the afternoon of the 16th.
Shin recommended three measures for successful corporate DX. First, she advised to “start small.” She said, “Some companies try to change all their infrastructure to the cloud and apply artificial intelligence (AI) in every area for DX. Instead, it is necessary to start small and allow employees to accumulate experiences of small successes.”
Furthermore, since most companies lack digital capabilities, she emphasized collaboration with companies that possess such capabilities. Proper DX is possible when a joint partnership is immediately established with specialized companies that can advise on which areas should be digitized with which technologies.
Lastly, she stressed the need for an ‘agile’ organization and culture. Shin said, “DX is not simply a technological issue but a cultural one,” adding, “DX will succeed only when a culture that experiments with small things and does not fear failure is established.” She also emphasized that these aspects cannot be achieved overnight and that DX is a journey.
“Digital technology is a means to successfully implement DX”
She pointed out the need to properly define DX. Shin explained, “Many people tend to think of DX as digital technologies such as AI, big data, and cloud. However, DX is not these technologies themselves but how to use these technologies to change a company’s business model and transform the way of working.” The goal of DX is to create new value for customers, and digital technology is just one means to realize DX.
She summarized the reasons why DX is a hot topic with two keywords: ‘survival’ and ‘growth.’ She cited the example of how competitors for automobile companies have shifted from other automobile companies to digital companies like Uber and Tesla, emphasizing that DX is an unavoidable choice for survival. She also stated that even if there are no digital competitors in the industry, DX is essential to secure new growth engines and continue sustainable growth.
“KT will provide 14 core DX areas to support customized DX”
Shin clearly stated that KT will be a partner for survival and growth. She said, “KT integrates digital technologies such as AI, big data, and cloud with communication infrastructure to support customized DX by industry and customer,” adding, “To this end, we provide 14 core DX areas.”
Shin also introduced KT’s case of promoting DX in the transportation sector in Jeju Island. She explained, “We established the concept of a digital road in Jeju, enabling communication between all vehicles on the road. In emergencies, the location of the vehicle with the patient is sent to the central control center, which then confirms the location and controls traffic lights to prioritize reaching the destination.”
Previously, KT built the next-generation transportation system (C-ITS) in Jeju Island. This project involves constructing a communication network over approximately 300 km of major roads in Jeju, creating a digital road where vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-road communications are connected via a network. It provides real-time traffic conditions and road/weather information to drivers and warns of hazards such as fallen objects or traffic accidents. Notably, the emergency vehicle priority signal service, a representative technology of C-ITS, allows ambulances to control traffic lights, enabling rapid transport of critically ill patients to hospitals.
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