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An employee spends hours searching for a missing file among papers, while a crucial decision awaits his signature; this was the reality of most institutions decades ago, as administrations relied on paper documentation and manual steps in every process. Since the 1950s, change came slowly with the advent of mainframe computers, followed by the era of personal computers and the web in the 1980s and 1990s, marking the first steps of digital transformation that paved the way for rethinking how institutions operate.

With the beginning of the millennium (2000–2010), the scene changed more rapidly: email, e-commerce, and process tracking systems rearranged the priorities of institutions, as digital transformation became not just a support tool, but a means to increase efficiency, track customers, and accelerate services. Institutions that adopted these tools became capable of meeting market needs at speeds that were not possible with traditional methods.

Then came the last decade (2010–2020), which revealed the depth of "digitization" in institutional work: big data, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things became partners in decision-making and process management. The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of these systems, as remote work, customer management, and supply chain tracking through digital systems became vital for the continuity of institutions.

Today, institutions are not satisfied with merely improving processes; they are building integrated digital environments, smart systems that assist them in making strategic decisions. Technologies like blockchain provide transparency, and interactive digital spaces like the metaverse allow employees to work as one group and communicate simultaneously from any location in the world. Thus, digital transformation has become a comprehensive redefinition of how institutions operate, from documentation and logistics to planning and future growth.

Between the paper past and the digital present lies the essence of institutional transformation: the ability of the institution to adapt quickly, invest in technology wisely, and create new value that ensures survival and competitiveness in a rapidly changing world.