Karl Fischer, CTO at Obsidian Systems.

We’ve all heard the expression ‘to drink their own cold-drink’ in discussion about ICT integration and deployment in business. It means whatever the company is selling, they’re actually using and it is based on the notion ‘you wouldn’t sell something you don’t entirely believe in-or would use yourself’. When open source software solutions company, Obsidian Systems intensified its initial community chat service capability and used it more aggressively as a media-rich and highly practical platform, the company possibly did not realise how much of an example it would be to the market as demonstrating a business that truly benefits by enjoying its own ‘tech champagne’.

As a market leader, Obsidian Systems is used to setting trends and trailblazing in the world of digital transformation. The company is a recognised Atlassian Partner, an alliance that has helped to anchor its own internal and external messaging service and capability.

Karl Fischer, CTO at Obsidian Systems is no stranger to media attention and is often quoted when referring to the company’s technical capability and approach to solutions.

He recently provided insight into how the company switched its messaging platform HipChat to Stride and, utilising its alliance with Atlassian, eventually to the Slack application and really did leverage the evolution of this platform.

Obsidian first used Slack as a stand-alone tool, before quickly seeing the advantages and then integrating the platform with other services, apps etc.

The company has been more than impressed with the chat platform’s functionality and usability. They’ve openly said before that any tech being considered for integration must have the built-in ability to be used across multiple touch-points in the business, devices, etc.

It represents a strong use case for the technology. Obsidian was strategic in its thinking and once the switch was made, it began to integrate other services with the application.

Since it began operations, the open source specialist has remained consistent in its messaging to the market about the advantages of flexible, efficient software and how this can be customised to serve as a powerful channel for services.

This is exactly what the company did with its chat services capability and platform management.

Fischer explains that the migration of its chat platform and functionality highlighted the almost dual role of chat service within the business – not only an instant messaging and communication service, but also a record of sorts that reflects a timeline of the ‘how, when, why and where’ of digital correspondence.

Dealing with realities of tech migration

Obsidian has also painstakingly emphasised that there is no such thing as a ‘silver bullet’ in tech software integration and implementation.

Even under the eye of seasoned veteran tech experts and highly experienced OS and software engineers, there are challenges and problems that readily crop up and must be dealt with.

In Obsidian’s experience, to secure full engagement was the biggest challenge.

The varied level of digital awareness and skill within a business’ staff complement is another significant roadblock for many businesses having to modernise their infrastructure and digitise.

Not all employers are entirely comfortable with digital tools, some may not be as ‘tech-savvy’ as others and the metamorphosis from traditional communication channels to email and then to fully automated, real-time instant messaging and/or video platforms, is often a stretch.

However, for technology companies like Obsidian, chat functionality within operations is really second-nature. The company has always been a tech front-runner, so adoption was not a problem. This is really what businesses have in mind- and what they aim for in migration.

But the process to procure and implement technology should be calculated and methodical. There are several questions to keep in mind before simply acquiring a tool, says Obsidian. This helps to choose the right solution at the right time and once the investment pays off with tech advantages, the migration no longer becomes a headache.

If an organisation is able to select the right solution for the right reason and at the right time, there is absolutely no doubt that there will be benefits. Automation, interaction, user buy-in, real-time communication are competitive advantages. Technical acumen, digital dexterity and agility define the modern business and modern corporate communication. Progressive companies like Obsidian Systems show the way.

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