Illustration showing a flow of gears, brain, and AI chip representing automation and artificial intelligence.

Technology alone doesn’t change a business; it’s how you apply it that matters.

At True9, we focus on three connected pillars that drive real progress: Modernisation, Transformation, and Automation & Applied AI. Each plays a role in helping established organisations move forward, whether modernising legacy systems for the first time or refining what they already have.

Our mission has always been simple: to help people and businesses thrive through technology. That means creating solutions that don’t just improve systems, but empower the people who use them every day.

Too often, we meet teams who know technology could help but aren’t sure where to start, or who feel held back by legacy systems, disconnected data, or manual processes that drain time and energy.

They’re not alone. According to the Sage “Digital Britain” Report (2023):

40%

of UK SMEs admit they’re lagging behind in adopting new technology.

It’s a reminder that progress isn’t about moving faster, it’s about moving smarter.

We help solve these kinds of challenges because when technology is applied thoughtfully, it becomes more than a tool; it becomes a catalyst for growth, collaboration, and lasting change.

So, what do we actually mean by Modernisation, Transformation, and Automation & Applied AI? Let’s take a closer look at each.

Team of professionals smiling and collaborating in a modern office meeting, representing modernisation.

What is Modernisation?

Evolution, not revolution.

Modernisation is about updating what already exists, bringing legacy systems, processes, and infrastructure up to modern standards.

The Purpose:

To improve efficiency, reliability, and compatibility with current technology, laying the groundwork for future growth.

Typical focus areas:

  • Moving from paper-based systems to digital workflows
  • Migrating on-premise systems to the cloud
  • Upgrading legacy software and frameworks
  • Replacing outdated hardware and platforms
  • Enhancing performance, scalability, and security

Modernisation starts with getting the basics right and improving the foundations on which everything else depends.

That might mean replacing manual data entry with connected tools, integrating spreadsheets directly into a CRM or finance system, or consolidating scattered platforms into one unified hub that provides real-time visibility and reduces duplication.

It’s not always the most glamorous stage, but it’s essential. Without solid foundations, transformation can’t take root.

Digitally mature companies grow revenue

5x faster

than their less advanced peers

Research shows digitally mature companies grow revenue five times faster than their less advanced peers (Deloitte Digital Maturity Index). For us, that underlines how powerful the first step of modernisation can be — it’s where real growth begins.

If you’d like to explore this in more depth, we’ve written about why embracing technology is vital to business survival.

Businesswoman presenting growth charts to a team, symbolising business transformation through technology.

What is Transformation?

Reinvention through technology.

Transformation is about fundamentally changing how a business operates through the strategic use of technology. It’s not just technical, it’s cultural and operational too.

Purpose:

To enable new capabilities, business models, and ways of working that align technology with long-term goals.

Typical focus areas:

  • End-to-end digital transformation projects
  • Redesigning customer experiences through digital channels
  • Creating data-driven decision-making processes
  • Integrating IoT or emerging technologies that redefine products or services
  • Preparing for automation and AI adoption

Once the groundwork is laid, transformation begins, where strategy and technology meet to align systems, data, and people around better ways of working.

That might involve rethinking how information flows through your organisation, building custom portals or dashboards connecting teams, or simplifying complex processes to improve staff and customer experience.

For us, transformation isn’t about starting from scratch. It’s about evolving what already exists, bringing structure, visibility, and momentum to change. The result isn’t just a better system, but a more confident, capable business.

You can see what this looks like in practice through our work with an international loyalty provider, where we helped them drive engagement at scale through intelligent transformation.

Engineer in high-visibility gear monitoring digital systems in a control room, representing automation and AI in industry.

What is Automation & Applied AI?

Turning efficiency into intelligence.

Automation and AI are about building smarter, self-improving systems that blend speed with intelligence, freeing people to focus on strategy, creativity, and innovation.

Purpose:

To streamline operations, reduce manual workload, and use data to predict, adapt, and continuously improve performance.

Typical focus areas:

  • Workflow and process automation
  • Intelligent data capture and reporting
  • Predictive maintenance and forecasting
  • AI-powered assistants, chatbots, and analytics
  • Machine learning models that enhance decision-making

With the right foundation and mindset, automation and AI unlock new levels of efficiency and insight. It’s the natural next step once processes are streamlined and data is reliable.

That might mean introducing automated workflows to handle repetitive tasks, auto-generating reports, syncing systems in real time, or sending notifications when key metrics change. For others, it’s about leveraging AI to predict maintenance needs, forecast demand, or uncover trends in customer behaviour that lead to smarter decisions.

Whether it’s predictive analytics, intelligent workflows, or real-time insights, automation and AI help organisations scale smarter and respond faster, without losing the human touch that drives great businesses forward.

You can see this in action through our work with a global stairlift manufacturer, where we helped transform their operations using IoT and automation for smarter, data-led decisions.

Our Process and Ethos

At True9, we don’t push technology for technology’s sake. Every project starts with understanding, taking the time to learn how a business works, what challenges people face day to day, and where technology can make a meaningful difference.

Our approach is collaborative from the outset. We ask questions, listen carefully, and get to the heart of the problem before suggesting a solution. It’s about aligning technology with purpose and ensuring every improvement helps people do their jobs better, faster, or more confidently.

Progress should feel empowering, not disruptive. That’s why we focus on solutions that are intuitive, scalable, and built around real human needs. When people thrive, businesses thrive, and that’s what drives us to keep innovating.

Meeting Businesses Where They Are

Not every business follows the same path. Some come to us ready for automation; others are beginning their modernisation journey. What matters most is starting at the right point, solving the problems that exist now while planning for what’s next.

To help with that, we offer a Discovery Service, a structured but accessible process designed to bring clarity and direction. We spend time within your business, reviewing key processes, and speaking directly with the people who use them every day.

From there, we produce a clear, actionable report highlighting where your systems and workflows can improve, and outlining the practical steps to move forward, whether that’s modernising what exists or planning a roadmap for transformation and automation.

If that sounds like something your organisation could benefit from, get in touch. We’d be happy to discuss how a Discovery could help shape your next steps.

Two colleagues discussing work in a bright modern office, symbolising teamwork and innovation.

In Summary

Modernisation. Transformation. Automation & Applied AI.

Three connected stages that, when applied thoughtfully, can reshape how businesses operate and unlock new potential.

Businesses that invest in automation see an average

30% increase

in productivity within the first year.

The numbers tell their own story, organisations that invest in automation see an average 30% increase in productivity within the first year (McKinsey Global Survey, 2024). But beyond the metrics, what really matters is how people work: more clarity, more time, and more confidence to make the right decisions.

At True9, our role is to make that journey practical, meaningful, and human, embedding technology in a way that genuinely improves how people work and think. We help organisations cut through the noise, focusing on the changes that make the biggest difference: building efficient workflows, connecting teams through data, and creating systems that scale effortlessly as the business grows.

What’s Next?

Many of the teams we speak to face the same challenges, knowing that automation or AI could help, but not being sure where to start, or feeling that their technology has fallen out of step with their goals.

If that sounds familiar, our Discovery Service is the perfect first step.

If it feels like your business could benefit from a fresh perspective, get in touch, we’d love to start the conversation.

Success Story

To find out more about our work why not take a look at this success story.

We pride ourselves on solving meaningful problems that move businesses forward, from streamlining factory operations to building platforms that scale.

See how we've delivered measurable outcomes for clients across sectors.