Digital transformation in industry is nothing more than the strategic application of technology to factory processes in order to achieve one or more of the three fundamental pillars in the industrial sector:
- Produce more (Productivity)
- Produce at a lower cost (Efficiency)
- Produce better (Quality)
Spain ranks 24th in the index for adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies (World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report 2021). In addition, the Spanish government promotes the adoption of Industry 4.0 through initiatives such as the Spanish Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2021–2027, which includes a plan to foster digitalization and Industry 4.0 in companies.
Although there is data indicating that we are a country with great potential for growth and government-backed actions, digital transformation remains a major challenge for the industrial sector, as it is extremely difficult to know where to start and how to project technology into the future so that it is consistent with the processes of each specific sector and with the company’s business strategy.
This is not just about investing in technology, but about driving a cultural change in the organization and in the people that supports the company’s long-term growth strategy.
A specialized digital transformation consultancy must always start from the industrial process itself, by studying all the operations that take place within the company—from receiving an order or planning stock, to delivering the finished product. In this analysis, all points with potential for improvement will be identified, pursuing the three pillars mentioned above:
“Remember: digitizing a poorly optimized process is like wearing a face mask under your nose.”
– Javier Arias, Commercial Director at Geprom | Part of Telefónica Tech –
Once the process map and improvement points have been identified, the next step is to study how the technological capabilities available on the market can cover all these points in the best possible way and in alignment with the plant’s ecosystem (communications, business, systems, etc.). In this way, we always move from need to technology, ensuring the success of future project implementations.
Along this journey, it is essential that the company’s management actively participates, ensuring a cultural change that lasts over time and translates into the expected results. It is also crucial to involve as many people as possible.
“Sometimes, the line operator’s point of view is the cornerstone that technology is built on.”
– Borja Rubio, Digital Transformation Consultant at Geprom | Part of Telefónica Tech –
Phases of a specialized digital transformation consultancy | Industry 4.0
The main phases of a industrial consulting service in digital transformation are as follows:
- Diagnose
- Identify opportunities for improvement
- Technology projection (prioritized Roadmap)
- Support during implementation
At Geprom, we offer our clients the experience of industry experts who have worked in different factories and have extensive knowledge of the technologies available on the market, to help them successfully embark on their digital transformation journey.
“The question being asked today in executive committees is no longer whether to digitize or not, but when—and with whom.”
– Javier Arias, Commercial Director at Geprom | Part of Telefónica Tech –
