22 Apr Smart Factory and Human Centrality in the Internationalization: A Winning Strategy for Global Competitiveness.
In the context of business internationalization, creating a new Legal Entity requires careful organizational planning. This process must ensure flexibility and reliability while integrating digital transformation with new business models. The goal is to respond effectively to the needs of the international market through a service-oriented rather than a product-oriented approach. This strategic vision not only enhances business competitiveness but also ensures long-term sustainability.
Internationalization and Smart Factory: A Winning Synergy
Internationalization represents a complex challenge for many companies, especially those facing highly competitive and regulated markets. In this scenario, the Smart Factory emerges as a key element to facilitate expansion abroad. By digitizing processes and integrating technology with production, companies can significantly reduce adaptation times to new market realities.
Digitalization enables companies to efficiently replicate their production models in international contexts while ensuring remote control of operations and integrated resource management. This approach allows maintaining high quality standards and ensuring operational continuity even thousands of kilometers away.
Digitalization and Service Value
In recent years, digitalization has radically transformed how companies conceive production. It is no longer just about creating physical products but about offering integrated solutions that dynamically and personally meet customer needs. The Smart Factory thus becomes a crucial point in the value chain, thanks to the adoption of articulated architectures and cyber-physical systems that enhance the interconnection between machinery, devices, and management systems.
By implementing advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), companies can monitor and optimize performance in real-time. This approach not only increases operational efficiency but also allows for more accurate data management throughout the entire supply chain. The tangible benefits include reduced downtime, resource optimization, and a greater ability to quickly adapt to market changes.
IT and OT Convergence: A Strategic Pillar for International Expansion
One of the most crucial aspects of digital transformation is the convergence between IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology). This integration process is essential for continuous monitoring and efficient management of business activities, minimizing downtime and operational costs. The adoption of unified platforms that integrate MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems ensures a holistic view of production processes, with direct benefits for decision-making capabilities and resource optimization.
In the international context, this convergence becomes even more relevant as it enables centralized management of operations distributed across multiple countries, maintaining a unified view of business performance. This approach allows for rapid response to local market needs without losing control over global operations.
Dynamism and Flexibility: The Strength of SMEs in Internationalization
SMEs have demonstrated a greater capacity to adapt compared to large companies, especially in internationalization processes. This dynamism allows them to respond more proactively to global market challenges, offering personalized and timely solutions. Unlike large enterprises, often constrained by rigid structures, SMEs can quickly adjust strategies and processes, turning flexibility into a genuine competitive advantage.
A successful example is represented by companies in the precision mechanics sector that, by adopting Smart Factory models, have increased production by 30% while keeping operational costs low. This has been possible thanks to advanced automation and intelligent management of human and technological resources.
International Supply Chain Management
Managing the supply chain in an international context requires a holistic and integrated vision. The Smart Factory enables constant monitoring of the entire supply chain, reducing risks related to logistical fragmentation and ensuring effective coordination between production and distribution sites. This allows companies to respond promptly to disruptions or changes in local demand while maintaining overall efficiency.
Robotics and Human Centrality
Despite the growing use of collaborative robots (cobots) and automation, humans remain at the center of the Smart Factory. Technology should not be seen as a threat but as a tool that supports human intelligence, freeing up time for higher-value activities. Robots perform repetitive and physically demanding tasks, allowing workers to focus on strategic and creative tasks.
Investing in skills is essential. Continuous training and professional development are crucial tools to ensure a qualified workforce ready to face the challenges of Industry 4.0.
Cultural Change and New Skills
Beyond technological transformation, it is necessary to promote cultural change. Cross-functional skills such as adaptability, virtual communication, and critical thinking are essential for tackling a constantly evolving international context. Companies must invest not only in cutting-edge technologies but also in developing employees’ soft skills, fostering a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach.
Conclusion
The Smart Factory represents a revolution not only in technology but also in culture, enabling companies to become more resilient and competitive on an international level. Adopting a model based on digitalization, technological integration, and human resource enhancement means ensuring sustainable long-term growth. Companies that embrace this transformation will be ready to seize opportunities offered by global markets, remaining leaders of change.
Angelo Avellino – Senior Manager IA International Advisors
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