Respondents stated that in contrast to last year's surveys, where the most important were the procurement of the GDPR and data security, this time they took into account, among others integration, automation, leading with AI/ML, and collaboration.

M-Files was appreciated i.a. for the same licensure for on-premises and cloud deployments. End-users were also satisfied because of common and automated updates, which do not need IT assistance. Moreover, system is repository – neutral. That means that it allows to have an access regardless of location, while maintaining data security, including GDPR compliance.
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In response to the needs of automation, Deltek presents the Business Process Automation (BPA) solution that saves both time and specific foaming by automating many previously performed manually, repetitive, daily tasks or repetitive business processes. Tasks are started according to the created schedule.

A significant plus of the solution is the fact that Maconomy BPA is directly in the application. There is no need to purchase additional modules, workflow automation software or integration with a third party.
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Already today, the millennials are the largest generation among all employed in the world. Next year, according to PwC's report Workforce of the future, their number will exceed half of all employees. The eldest of them are starting to enter the top management team.

The generation often referred to as digital natives, has a different approach to life, work and technology compared to its older colleagues. Although the differences between generations are generally not exceptional, in this case, from the business point of view they have quite serious consequences, due to the revolutionary changes that the dissemination of digital technologies causes -. It should not surprise anyone that many international corporations adapt their organizational culture to the specific needs of the dominant generation. If they want to attract young talents, they need to adapt to the new rules of the game. However, it may seem somewhat surprising that generational change also requires a new approach to business application design.
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The general availability of computers, the Internet and mobile technologies has made great progress in eliminating paper from business processes but it is still very difficult to achieve full digitization of the work environment.

According to the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) data a few years ago, US offices consume an average of 10,000 sheets of paper per year. It is worth considering whether you need such amount of paper to print your documents, and then how you organize, control and store them. By the way, it is worth adding that Xerox studies show that nearly half of the paper documents are discarded into the recycle bin within 24 hours of printing.
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Business is increasingly digitized. IDC analysts predict that by 2022 60% of global GDP will be "digital". At the same time, growth in all industries will be driven by enhancing the offer, operations and relationships using digital technologies. * Manufacturing companies are trying to adapt to this trend and not to lag.   Business leaders see the fundamental growth engine and the opportunity for competitive advantage in new technologies. Cloud computing, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, the internet of things and mobile technologies are just some of the "tools" available to transform not only individual organizations but ecosystems and the industry.

However, the experts observe that digital transformation is a serious challenge that is not always a success. One of the main causes of failure is the lack of adequate preparation. The transformation must be well planned, and to plan it, it is necessary to understand the situation of the company.
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Maybe instead of attempting to count the ROI, it is better to analyse the effects of the implementation  and identify areas that were improved by the implementation of the ERP system and review to what extent the stated objectives have been achieved.  When considering the results of the report carried out in 2018 by Panorama Consulting you can enumerate 5 main implementation benefits indicated by ERP systems users.


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The boundaries between the analogue and digital world are becoming more fluid and new information and communication technologies open previously unimaginable possibilities to provide customers greater value. Digitalisation means not only new services but also new models of delivering them. However, it is not free from threats and many companies with professional services are not well prepared to challenge digital transformation. This was confirmed by Insight to Action report: The Future of the Professional Services Industry* prepared by Deltek which shows that 81% of senior managers are not ready for the risk arising from the implementation of the breakthrough technology.

So how should professional services industry be prepared for digital transformation? They have to particularly focus on foundations. The implementation of CRM and ERP integrated systems helps to generate more sales leads and facilitates better resource management. As the number of profits shrinks and their costs rise, competent, based on current information, assessment of the situation becomes crucial. The survey conducted by Deltek shows that even 58% of companies spent “hundreds of hours” on preparing the reports to provide increased performance and planning improvement. At the same time, more than half of the representatives of the companies acknowledge that these reports focus more on the past than on the future and, moreover, they are available too late - key decisions that should be relied upon them are taken previously. Therefore, there is a need to focus on sales, projects and people: when and which contracts are needed, how much will their delivery cost and whether we have the relevant resources available. 
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According to the research carried out by the Pew Research Centre from 2011 number of Americans who use smartphones rose from 35% to 77%, while 95% has any mobile phone[1]. At the same time, there are more and more opinions that the use of Blackberry smartphones should be limited. Is this true?

First, it should be noted that the commitment to smartphones started with their increasingly developed features and capabilities used both in private and professional life, including even such simple functions as notes or calculator or photo camera. Being online in practically anytime and anywhere significantly enhances and speeds performing various daily activities such as shopping, placing orders, reservations and many more. Convenience and comfort that the smartphones give us made us use them more and more and have them with us practically all the time, which unfortunately leads to addiction. The very rapid development of mobile devices and online services created many new addictions and civilization diseases such as nomophobia - the fear of inability to use a mobile phone, phonoholism - which, according to research conducted by CBOS, affects 92% of Poles[2], network addiction, internet sociomania, FoMO (fear of missing out[3]) etc. "SecurEnvoy, a security company, carried out research which showed that in the United Kingdom 66% of people has some form of nomophobia. 41% of research participants have at least two devices so that they stay in touch".[4]
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2019 Professional Services Maturity™ Benchmark* latest report prepared by the analytical company SPI Research shows that last year professional services industry recorded a growth of revenues of 9.7%. In the group of 622 surveyed organizations employing a total of 380 thousand consultants average annual income for each of them was 206 thousand USD.

Investigated organizations can also boast of consistently rising for a few years gains - the average annual net profit estimated from 2016 at the level of: 14,2, 16,8 and 18,5 %. How was this achieved? Primarily it is the result of growth of the so-called returned income and expenditure limitation of general and administrative expenses.
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A similar phenomenon can be noted in business. Technological progress is huge and accelerates every year. Digital transformation entails negative effects as well as opens new possibilities. However, it must be acknowledged as a fact and the company should be adjusted to the current reality. This is a large and unavoidable challenge for managers.

Above all, customer requirements have changed, and that must be answered in order to remain on the market. A good example of this situation is Uber that created the platform for ordering drivers and severely endangered some taxi corporations. E-commerce, online payment platforms, online visits scheduling and electronic banking are also developing in dizzy speed. The real revolution is also noted in the way of marketing and advertising. Huge changes have also occurred in the recruitment process – the selection of different channels and methods - as well as in the development and training of workers - e.g. webinars.
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