How A Digital Adoption Platform Benefits Your Business

Adding new software to your business operations isn’t easy, especially when you’re a small team that has no clue where to begin using it. Time spent learning is time spent not making the cogs of business turn, and that’s bad news for small businesses who can completely grind to a halt when a new process needs to be added to their operations. Luckily, there’s a solution that can help you with learning how to use new software and cutting down on mistakes; digital adoption platforms.

What Is A Digital Adoption Platform?

A digital adoption platform, or DAP for short, is an interface that sits on top of the existing software in order to make it easier to use. The idea of a DAP is to make learning quicker and easier for the user, all without having to read tedious manuals or consult any advisors who probably won’t be able to get back to you straight away.

The DAP also has its uses for the development team, as the data it provides shows how users think when interacting with the software. From there they are able to extrapolate into what shortcuts, tool integrations etc. are likely to be received well by their customer base, and adjust their development plans accordingly. It’s a win-win for both of you, though you will end up footing the cost.

What Can A Digital Adoption Platform Offer You?

A DAP is a significant investment if you’re a small business, but you’ll usually find that they’re worth the expenditure. The main cost of implementing new software into your business comes in two parts; the cost of purchasing the software itself and the revenue lost when you’re having to learn how to use it instead of being productive.

Below we’ve picked out the main benefits we see of utilizing a DAP, and how you can get the most out of them. Hopefully these will help you see that a DAP is worth it:

• Saving Time Learning / Learning While Working

When you’re learning how to use a new piece of software that’s going to be crucial to your daily runnings, you’ll often find your productivity drop like a stone while you’re trying to get to grips with it. By using a DAP you can reduce the time spent learning greatly, since its AI powered help tools can actually determine what it is you’re trying to do and adjust their hints and tips accordingly. You can even learn on the job with a DAP, since it provides assistance that reduces errors and keeps your workflow moving.

Every bit of time spent not working has a cost associated due to lost revenue, but there can also be a literal cost if you’re relying on outside assistance to learn how to use your new software.

• Customized Assistance

There’s a very personal factor involved with using a DAP, since the AI can recognise what it is you’re trying to do and tune it’s output in order to match what you’re trying to achieve.

The interface of a DAP can also be customized from the very beginning with the specific needs of your business in mind. Depending on your skillset, and that of your team members, you will be able to increase or decrease the amount of help given depending on what’s required. Nobody likes pop-ups within software that try to teach you things you already know, but keep in mind that not everyone is going to have your knowledge so removing these hints for them might be detrimental.

• Easy Access To Shortcuts And Loopholes

Even further on down the line when you’ve gotten to grips with the software, the assistance a DAP provides can be extremely valuable thanks to the AI engine’s insight into the way you think and how your processes work. You might find the DAP suggesting alternate ways of achieving a task that are shorter and more efficient than the method you’re currently using.

The AI on a DAP updates in real-time too, so you will find your tips and hints changing if you pivot and start performing a different task. Over time, some processes might even be able to be automated as the AI recognizes exactly what you’re trying to do and offers to perform the task for you. Overall, a DAP isn’t just useful for getting started, it’s something that you can carry with you as you become attuned.

• Better Understanding Of The Software

The information a DAP has access to includes, among other things, exactly how the software functions on a code level. When you’re attempting to perform a task but can’t due to limitations of the software, the DAP will be able to tell you exactly what went wrong and exactly why it did so.

By taking in this information, you’ll be able to intuitively understand how the software works and which actions are forbidden or will simply turn up error messages as the software fails to process it. Remember, each piece of software works differently – that’s a part of copyright law after all – so actions that you’re used to performing easily in one piece might be extremely difficult in another.

You won’t truly be a pro with any piece of software until you understand what works and what doesn, but more importantly why it doesn’t.

A Few Final Thoughts

Using a digital adoption platform is a must if you’re trying to implement a new piece of software without causing delays and problems with your day to day operations. The cost of doing so might put you off initially – after all who wants to pay for something when you can just try and do it yourself – but in the end, it’s a toss up between the money you spend on it and the money you lose in wasted time. Not everyone needs a digital adoption platform, but unless you’re a software pro you should definitely consider it.