Why Digital Transformations Commonly Fail & How CentralSquare Can Help

Organizations across North America are undergoing a digital transformation as part of an effort to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Paper-based systems are being replaced with digital ones, and computer-based processes that rely on multiple vendors, in-house servers and a large IT staff are being replaced by cloud-based systems that offer increased security, accessibility and third-party management. The trend is particularly apparent in public agencies and public safety organizations that constantly face staffing shortages and budget constraints.

Although a digital transformation can aid in improving efficiency and service delivery, such efforts occasionally fail. In many cases, problems can be traced back to the technology partner with which the organization chooses to work. When it comes to a digital transformation in the public sector, here are some reasons why digital transformations fail, and how working with CentralSquare can help avoid those failures.

Unclear Digital Transformation Goals

Often, public agencies become enamored with the latest technology without a clear understanding of their digital transformation goals and what they hope to accomplish. Some public safety software packages are limited in scope, meaning the agency ends up working with multiple vendors on multiple solutions that overlap in functions or don’t communicate with each other. Those solutions often require constant attention from internal IT staff. The result is that instead of improving, efficiency actually decreases.

Those issues are eliminated with CentralSquare’s Public Safety Suite, the world’s first plug-and-play public safety suite. Everything a municipality needs to manage services, from 911 to CAD to asset management software and more, is provided in a single easy-to-use cloud-based platform.

Lack of Expertise in the Public Sector Field

Other digital transformation challenges include the fact that some software vendors have little experience in the public sector space, meaning communities often end up paying for the vendor to learn. Unfortunately, that lack of experience tends to show up when a community is counting on that vendor to deliver. Failures due to lack of experience can end up costing lives.

CentralSquare’s solutions are already being used in more than 7,500 communities around North America. A partnership with CentralSquare on public safety or public administration software means you’ll benefit from CentralSquare’s experience in the public sector, not the other way around.

Inability to Scale

The population of the United States grew by more than 7% between 2010 and 2020, with some communities seeing growth rates exceeding 20% over that time. What that means is that public sector agencies are providing services to more and more people. If an agency’s software can’t scale up as resource demands grow, municipalities will have no choice but to scrap their existing software in favor of one that’s up to the task.

CentralSquare’s platform leverages the scalability of the cloud and the ability to easily add new modules, meaning functionalities can easily keep pace with the community as it grows.

Minimal Resources and Training

All too often, vendors provide the initial solution but lack the capability to provide training and educational resources. The result is that staff aren’t able to effectively use that software, resulting in frustration and inevitable failure.

CentralSquare’s Education Services team avoids this issue with training and education resources designed to fit every need. Options for training include on-demand, eLearning courses, live virtual training events, in-person training and hybrid learning events. And as new features are added, CentralSquare will be there to provide additional education.

The CentralSquare Difference in Digital Transformation

CentralSquare is the leading public sector software company, providing modern cloud-based solutions that enable government agencies to build safer, smarter and more connected communities. We’ve already partnered with hundreds of communities on their digital transformation. Whatever you hope to accomplish with your digital transformation, CentralSquare will be with you every step of the way to help ensure that transformation is a success. Interested to learn more? Contact us or book a demo today.