In today’s age of industrial automation, the buzz around digital transformation (DX) is undeniable. According to Gartner, 80% of manufacturing CEOs are increasing investments in digital technologies such as AI, machine learning, IoT, and data analytics, aiming to navigate economic challenges and propel growth. Yet, only 8% claim success in their digital endeavors. What’s the missing link? It’s not technology but organizational readiness that often falters.

Manufacturers embarking on this digital transformational journey must heed vital principles. Cross-functional digital transformation teams, spearheaded by smart manufacturing operations, blend expertise from engineering, supply chain, and material operations. IT becomes the linchpin, ensuring data’s reliability and security, essential to fuelling data-driven manufacturing.

Data demands strategic handling. Centralization ensures a singular truth source, while targeted collection tailored to specific manufacturing challenges optimizes resources. Equally crucial is democratizing data, delivering pertinent information to individuals — from operators to maintenance leaders — empowering precise decision-making.

However, technology’s human element cannot be ignored. HR plays a pivotal role, bridging generational gaps and ensuring everyone understands the purpose and benefits of digital transformation. Financial realism is equally paramount; ongoing costs, often underestimated, necessitate meticulous accounting to prevent implementation hurdles.

Above all, leadership must champion this shift, preserving the company’s ethos. By fostering a culture of decentralized, data-driven decision-making, organizations can harmonize tradition with technology. As we tread the path to digitalization, JR Automation, a Hitachi Group company stands as a beacon, guiding industries worldwide toward a future where innovation and tradition coexist seamlessly.

In summary, cross-functional teams, IT partnerships, HR support, and visionary leadership are critical to achieving a seamless and culturally aligned transition and ensuring the success of digital transformation initiatives in manufacturing.