Transformation and the role of AI and digitalisation: efficient business processes, sustainability and successful reporting

Today, AI-supported technologies can simplify more and more processes and make them more efficient in order to support specialists in their tasks and relieve them of time-consuming, manual work. For example, AI-supported systems can be used to analyse a large number of data sets simultaneously and in real time, and the analysis results can be used for decision-making and to improve products and processes. Based on relevant and up-to-date market and customer data, companies can, for example, adapt existing products and services, introduce new products or personalise and optimise their customer approach for customer acquisition and retention.

The topic of sustainability is also a driver of transformation in companies and the company’s own ecological footprint has now become a key performance indicator. Which investments and economic activities are ecologically sustainable and enable companies to differentiate themselves positively in the market? The preparation of sustainability reports is also becoming increasingly important for supervisory authorities and regulators. However, successful sustainability management and reporting requires consistent data collection and processing across all business processes. Here too, selected software solutions can help companies to comply with legal requirements and automate many processes.

To navigate these opportunities and challenges, experienced experts are essential in designing and implementing digital processes. Yet, SMEs often operate with small IT teams, limited budgets, and are acutely affected by a significant skills shortage. This shortage is compounded by demographic shifts, as many skilled workers from the Baby Boomer generation are set to retire over the next five to ten years.

Moreover, there is a substantial modernisation backlog in IT systems. For instance, in the insurance sector, companies often rely on systems that are 20 years old or more. Pressure is mounting for these companies to update their systems, or they risk becoming unviable within five years. Similarly, in the industrial sector, many firms rely on legacy IT systems, often built on outdated SAP stacks with bespoke adaptations rather than the modern HANA architecture, limiting the integration of new cloud solutions.

Implementing transformation projects effectively

Reliable and experienced partners are therefore needed to provide companies with comprehensive support for their transformation projects based on their expertise and industry knowledge. IT components and digital business processes are just one important component of the transformation. SMEs in particular need partners on an equal footing who can offer them sustainable solutions through comprehensive organisational and process consulting so that the technology used in the company can develop its full potential. The human factor is always important in any transformation endeavour. After all, employees are the pillars that support change in the company and must be convinced of its benefits for the project to be a complete success.