The ongoing digital revolution will not be kind to those who refuse to modernise, according to one speaker at this year's ITB Convention.

Sven Kaiser, geschäftsbereichsleiter for marketing and markenstrategie at Optimal Systems Group, said that companies and organisations within hospitality and tourism should try to benefit from the current situation.

In particular, he said that an examination of internal processes was needed because while many companies had digitised well in their communications with clients, often their internal processes left much to be desired.

He said, “There's one thing I'd like to point out�"when talking about digitalisation, we talk about how it's all interlinked and networked, but no one is looking at the companies and providers of services and their internal processes. We have companies in our portfolio where emails are printed so as to get the okay from the boss or colleague. I wonder how authentic a company that talks about apps can be when itself is still completely immersed in paper.”

He said that digitalisation was here to stay and that eventually everyone would digitise. He added, “We have to get used to that fact because the generation after us will see it as completely normal.”

Kaiser said that many processes within organisations have already been digitised, citing invoice payments. He also heralded the benefits of having automated contract renewal systems in place, saying that otherwise was 'burning money'.

He added, “Everything can be done through it such as processing and invoices. You can now receive and send them digitally. It's not a problem in Europe. You can read up on electronic invoice processing. Sometimes, the customers use it in such a manner that they can save money. They are able to do the complete processing and have control of invoices in just a few days.”

Kaiser cited how those issuing invoices will often give a discount of three to four per cent for early payment, adding, “If you do it for so many invoices, you can pay for your Christmas party. It would be lavish party.”

But the biggest stumbling block may be the human element. He pointed to a survey that showed a disconnect between the wants of companies and employees: 61 per cent of companies favoured some form of digital working, while over three-quarters of employees said they prefer to work at an office desk.

We always want to be accessible, Kaiser said, despite us not really wanting that. 

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