Digital Transformation / How to Start?

Digital transformation has evolved from a passing trend into a strategic priority for manufacturing and trading companies that want to stay competitive and agile in a rapidly changing market. Yet many organizations still grapple with a fundamental question: Where do we begin? Should the focus be on new technologies, process reengineering, or building team capabilities?

This article explores the key elements of launching a digital transformation initiative, approached with intention, tailored to the realities of the industry, and achievable step by step. It’s designed for business owners, executives, managers, and specialists navigating digitalization in the manufacturing and trading sectors.

What Is Digital Transformation And Why Does It Matter?

Digital transformation is the process of using digital technologies to fundamentally reshape how companies operate, serve customers, and create value. It’s not just about adopting new tools, it’s about rethinking operations, business models, and organizational culture to meet the demands of a digital economy.

In practice, it begins with foundational changes: automating document approvals, centralizing product data with a PIM system, integrating ERP, CRM, and WMS platforms, enabling automatic KPI reporting, establishing structured team communication via intranets and tools like Teams or Slack, and digitizing sales through B2B e-commerce, D2C channels, inventory systems, and e-invoicing. Advanced technologies like AI and robotics only deliver value when these essentials are in place and powered by clean, reliable data.

Digital transformation delivers benefits such as:

• Faster time to market and reduced errors
• Lower operating costs through automation
• Real-time, data-driven decision-making
• New revenue streams through digital sales and services
• Improved customer experiences and loyalty
• A stronger competitive edge

Key Areas Of Digital Transformation

Digital transformation impacts multiple layers of an organization. It typically spans three core areas:

• External area: new digital channels, product configurators, real-time order tracking, and B2B portals
• Internal area: system integration, automated reporting, standardized data, and clear performance indicators
• Strategic area: monetizing data, launching product-related services, and building partner ecosystems

Assessing Your Digital Maturity

Before diving into transformation, it’s important to evaluate your current digital maturity. The Digital Maturity Measure (DMM) helps assess your progress in two dimensions: management digitalization and technology readiness.

DMM includes:

• DM (Digitalization Measure): how digitized your management processes are
• TAM (Technological Advancement Measure): how advanced your technology stack is

Management (DM)

• Monthly review of KPIs using system-generated data (not spreadsheets)
• Clear ownership of data, definitions, validation rules, and correction workflows
• Automated procurement and finance workflows (requests, approvals, POs, 3-way match)
• Structured initiative management (roadmaps, owners, metrics, decisions)
• Security protocols (MFA, access policies, training, phishing tests)
• Clear accountability (RACI roles, up-to-date intranet procedures)

Technology (TAM)

• API and ESB integrations and webhooks instead of manual imports; error monitoring
• Product data centralized in a PIM with validation and publishing workflows
• Office automation including e-signatures, invoice OCR, and digital shipping labels
• Advanced analytics: data warehouse, ELT, BI dashboards, and data catalog
• Real-time sales and inventory visibility via B2B and D2C portals and EDI
• Reliable systems supported by tested backups, monitoring, and alerting

Scoring scale (0–3): 0 = Manual/no process • 1 = Ad hoc/partial • 2 = Standardized/documented • 3 = Integrated/measured/improving

Evidence sources: Screenshots, logs, backup tests, BI reports, documented procedures, ERP or PIM samples

Quick checklist:

• Are key processes documented and measured?
• Do you have a single source of product and customer data?
• Are your systems integrated?
• Are you tracking key metrics (OEE, OTIF, lead time, complaint rates)?
• Is your data secure and backed up?
• Are digital skills being actively developed within your team?

Common Digital Transformation Challenges

The key IT challenges for companies are security, system integration, and cost reduction. Integrating diverse IT systems is one of the main problems, and efforts to unify them or create universal solutions are common. Despite growing pressure to adopt AI technologies, some of large and medium-sized enterprises are unable to identify specific areas for applying artificial intelligence, even though expectations around AI focus on improving data analysis and reducing operating costs. Concerns about reliability, AI effectiveness, high costs, and data security remain significant barriers.

On top of this, there are organizational challenges: internal communication in many companies still relies heavily on email, slowing the flow of information and hindering team collaboration. Projects are often managed without modern tools and proven methodologies, which increases the risk of delays and errors. Data is stored in a scattered manner, across different systems, files, or departments, making it impossible to analyze comprehensively or use effectively to adjust business strategy.

Why Consulting Support Makes A Difference

Digital transformation is complex, but companies don’t have to do it alone. Consulting partners can ease the process, especially during the early stages.

Here’s how external experts can help at every step:

1. Clarifying Priorities

Smaller companies often struggle to define digital goals. Consultants guide teams through market trends, lead workshops, and help identify key focus areas like system integration and data security.
How they help: strategic education and discovery workshops

2. Mapping Your Current State

Before taking action, you need to know where you stand. Experts analyze your processes, data structures, and tech stack to find gaps and opportunities.
How they help: audits, diagnostics, employee interviews

3. Building A Strategy

Based on the diagnosis, consultants craft a realistic, phased transformation roadmap aligned with your company’s goals and capabilities.
How They Help: Strategy development and customization

4. Launching Pilots

Pilot projects are essential for testing tools and gaining buy-in. Consultants help manage change, support your team, and coordinate implementation.
How they help: project execution and change management

5. Measuring Results and Scaling

Post-launch, it’s vital to track performance. Consultants analyze KPIs and help plan next steps.
How they help: Reporting, KPI review, growth recommendations

More manufacturing companies are turning to experts for good reason. Transformation isn’t just about techit’s about people, processes, and smart planning.

Smart First Steps For Industrial Companies

Digital transformation can seem daunting, but with the right priorities, the path becomes clearer:

• Audit digital maturity: pinpoint your current level in both management and technology. A consulting partner can guide the process.
• Develop a data strategy: integrate data across departments and apply analytics tools to enable smart, automated decisions.
• Secure your information: tech adoption must go hand-in-hand with cybersecurity.
• Upskill your team: train both leaders and staff in data, strategy, and digital tools
• Automate where it matters: target quick wins like production line monitoring with sensors or automating repetitive tasks
• Work with experts: companies like Univio offer strategy and implementation support that reduces risk and accelerates results

What’s Next?

Digital transformation isn’t a one-time project. It’s a continuous evolution. Companies that use data effectively, automate operations, and adapt quickly are shaping the future of their industries.

Technology and know-how are the foundations of competitiveness, not tomorrow but today.

If your company is ready for a practical roadmap, Univio offers support at every stage, from audits to strategy to full implementation.