D4M Mini-Sode 10: Digital Transformation – Where Do I Start?

Alan: I don’t want this conversation to come off condescending regarding digital transformation; after all, our audience is made up with manufacturers, manufacturing engineers, operations executives, etc., who are probably already familiar with this concept.

Alan: However, though companies can be familiar with the concept AND are starting efforts or are already underway with efforts to expand the digital transformation for their organizations, they’re still looking at things like “where do we go? How do we do this?” And, of course, the topic that we’re discussing here today is, “where do you start?”

Alan: In my experience, the first thing we need to do is take stock of what the current operations and what are the key areas where we think digital technologies can drive the most impact. But, if this is the case, how would you even start?

Alan: Guys, what are some of the things that customers and manufacturers should be looking at in terms of taking stock of the current operations? Jean-Yves, knowing you I think I already know where you’d start: data. Did I guess right?

Jean-Yves: Of course I’m going to say data!

Jean-Yves: Joking aside, looking at this process beyond data, your question is as crucial as you say, because lots of corporations are looking at these changes, and at the end of the day is, they do not know where to start! Because the technology that’s available out there today is endless; and this is not just in terms of technology, but price range.

Jean-Yves: I mean, you do have to look at it realistically and say, “I cannot buy every technology out there. Which one is right for us and which one are categorically unnecessary?” To me, this process starts with a solid business goal and/or business objective, and then, try to boil down what would be relevant to your business. Once you zoom in on what’s relevant very shortly after, what’s going to catch up with you is “what are the prerequisites to this process?” Because for any type of technology, there is always prerequisites and you have to put something in place before you get to where you want to go. Perfect example? Robots.

Jean-Yves: The case for robots the case for AI is the ultimate case example. When people tell me, “oh, we want to go AI!” My reaction is always, “have you thought about all the prerequisite that you need to have before you get hungry?”

Alan: Taking stock with the environment you’re being presented.

Jean-Yves: Correct. So, to me, a good start would be a good inventory of what you have in your own shop in relation with your business goal. Of course, this requires some time to think about where you’re going to put your money and what technology are the most relevant to your business.

Alan: Have a solid understanding of your current operations and identifying the key areas where you think digital transformation/technologies could drive the most impact.

Chuck: To me, the first place to start should be your raw material. What I hear Jean-Yves saying is look at the raw material you have today in your environment.

Chuck: To me, the business objectives, right? That could be coming from the customer. It could be coming from efficiencies, etc., right? So, look at those, and then sandwiched in between there are your processes that have evolved over time and of course, your data, the raw material of the data and the process/use cases and then you look at “what do you need to focus on to then achieve the objectives”, right?

Chuck: The gentleman who owns the large manufacturing company was basically saying, “okay, here is my major KPI.” And that put his organization on notice that that’s the KPI. So that is our guiding light. Now everything that we do needs to move us towards, towards that, right? And keeping us in alignment with that.