Manufacturers in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa region experienced significant gains from digital transformation projects
Manufacturers in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa region are experiencing significant gains from their digital transformation projects but could improve efficiencies according to a new IDC info brief ‘Future of Manufacturing: Driving Transformation in the Age of Industry 4.0’, sponsored by Infor.
The IDC brief revealed that 48 percent of manufacturers in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) realized cost efficiencies from their digital transformation initiatives, while 47 percent achieved productivity improvements, and 39 percent saw increased revenues. The info brief also stressed that manufacturers stand to increase the effectiveness of their digital initiatives if they follow the correct steps at the planning and implementation stage.
IDC recommends that manufacturers start their projects with a detailed assessment covering operations, systems, data, skills, organization, and infrastructure, and create a DX roadmap with short-term and long-term goals and KPIs to measure progress. It also recommends that organizations build a cross-functional team from various departments to drive the plan and make periodic reassessments and updates.
“It’s vital for organizations to achieve successful digital transformation due to changing customer profiles, business models, the proliferation of apps, smartphones, and other digital devices,” said Jebin George, program manager, IDC. “With the right approach, digital transformation can help manufacturers automate, add immense value to their business, and position them to prosper in the age of 4th Industrial Revolution.”
The info brief also revealed common pitfalls to avoid, including initiatives that are not well integrated with the rest of the business’ strategy; undermining the perception of DX as being everyone’s responsibility; a lack of understanding of existing data assets; and siloed technology environments.
The 4th Industrial Revolution is gaining significant momentum, giving even greater impetus for organizations to get their digital initiatives right. IDC predicts that 60 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) will be digitized by 2022.
