Steps to becoming a smart company: how to transform your company and make data the pillar of its strategy
Data-driven organisations: the path to becoming a smart company
The most successful organisations know how to adapt to changing circumstances and make the most of the power of data. Accurately collecting digital information is not enough; companies also have to be able to transform data into recommendations that can improve decision-making and automate processes, thus improving their responsiveness.
To successfully turn a company into a data-driven organisation, a series of changes must be made focused on optimising and automating data processes, intelligent cloud-based networks, data-driven sustainability, end-to-end transformation and expert advising.
Data governance, management and security technology
Collecting digital information is not as complicated as it may seem. The real challenge is to make sure that the collected data provides value. Using sensors, IoT devices or internal statistics, a number of companies are already collecting large volumes of data to drive decision-making. However, if data is obtained from different sources or is in different formats, this can create problems for data management, governance or security. Therefore, adequate measures and technologies must be implemented in order to optimise and automate data-driven processes.
SAP offers technologies that have been specifically designed to help organisations become smart companies, and in particular a tools package to optimise data-driven processes via analytics, machine learning and automation.
Some of the tools it offers include:
- SAP HANA, one of the company’s flagship products, which offers in-memory databases capable of accelerating decision-making by offering real-time data.
- SAP ANALYTICS CLOUD, a cloud-based business analytics tool that can optimise data search capabilities.
- SAP MASTER DATA GOVERNANCE, a tool enabling data quality monitoring.
Intelligent networks and cloud-based work
As we have seen, simply collecting data the right way is not enough on its own: companies also have to manage and store it using the right knowledge and tools. Furthermore, internal data management is not enough. In order to be as agile as possible, smart companies need a plan to obtain value from data during its entire lifecycle. This plan must be based on real supply chain needs, encourage seamless collaboration between all stakeholders, enable optimised production and reduced inventory, and pave the way for a change in business culture, always with a client-centric focus.
Once again, one of the most effective ways to face all of these challenges is hand-in-hand with SAP. Through SAP Business Network, SAP has integrated all previously separate supply chains into a unified and collaborative intelligent network. These elements include purchasing, assets, manufacturing and logistics networks.
In addition to this SAP solution, at NTT DATA, we offer our clients a single, agile and connected platform based on a novel way of looking at the cloud, designed to meet the needs of this new digital, global supply chain.
Data-driven sustainability
Growing concern for sustainability and environmental protection is also having an impact on companies. In this sense, data can play a key role in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Some SAP-based CSR tools that NTT DATA offers include:
- Umbiombu, a platform for tracking CSR projects and compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Blockchain technology to manage environmental certificates.
- IoT Trace for product traceability through blockchain.
- A carbon credit registry and Marketplace to manage carbon credit transactions.
These tools allow companies to monitor and manage processes as well as to evaluate key sustainability indicators. As a result, they can take measures to mitigate their potential negative effects on the surrounding environment.
A company-wide shift
Using cutting-edge technology is not the only step in becoming a smart company. Corporate culture and transforming the mindset of staff members are also key factors allowing a company to become a data-driven organisation. Doing so also involves modifying legacy systems in parallel. Moreover, security is a fundamental pillar and not an isolated feature of this new ecosystem.
Once again, in order to achieve a comprehensive shift of this type, SAP offers a series of tools such as S/4HANA, Ariba, Supply Chain, Ǫualtrics and SuccessFactors Suite, which make a dual positive change possible: on one hand, they make it easier for clients to understand new ecosystems, and on the other hand, they optimise relationships with employees.
Furthermore, NTT DATA has different SAP solutions that allow companies to design customised action plans. For example, preconfigured S/4HANA templates enable a company to make its investment in SAP profitable rapidly.
Taking steps to become a digital company hand-in-hand with the experts
Last of all, the final step in becoming a smart company consists of working with experts who provide their advice throughout the entire process. At NTT DATA, we offer the perfect combination of technology knowledge (including on machine learning, AI, automation, cybersecurity and more) and business skills.
We have the best digital talent and are constantly training our consultants to enable their continuous professional growth. They will conduct an in-depth analysis of your company’s needs and will guide you throughout the transformation process.
In short, data can help you optimise decision-making and gain a competitive advantage, and SAP tools are the starting point for doing so. Using the SAP tools offered by NTT DATA and with our expert consultants’ support, you can make your investment profitable over a shorter timeframe and can truly turn your company into a data-driven organisation.
