The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things and cloud computing is revolutionising operations across industries in unprecedented ways. From smart inventory management in retail to predictive maintenance in manufacturing, organisations are leveraging digital innovations to solve complex operational challenges. However, as businesses accumulate vast amounts of data and implement sophisticated technologies, they face new hurdles in infrastructure and implementation.
At the start of September, Datos Insights was invited to Hitachi Digital Services’ Analyst & Advisor day, where the company showcased the myriad digital innovations taking place across retail and other sectors. Here are some of the key takeaways from the event:
Creative Digital Innovations Are Solving Organisational Challenges
The power of emerging technologies to solve complex organisational challenges is becoming increasingly evident across diverse sectors. From manufacturing to healthcare, innovative digital solutions are driving measurable improvements in efficiency, safety and sustainability. Here are three compelling examples which were highlighted at the event, showing digital transformation in action:
- Food waste reduction: Innovative predictive analytics are tackling the critical issue of food waste. Through partnerships with technology providers like OneThird, retailers are leveraging sophisticated data models to accurately predict the shelf life of fresh produce, enabling more precise inventory management and reduced waste.
- Healthcare efficiency: Digital patient journey tracking is transforming hospital operations. By implementing comprehensive digital monitoring systems, healthcare providers are streamlining patient care, reducing wait times and optimising resource allocation across their facilities.
- Manufacturing safety and quality: AI and robotics are reshaping quality control and workplace safety in train manufacturing facilities. Advanced systems now automatically detect production faults while simultaneously monitoring staff safety, creating smarter, safer factory environments.
Insights Can Help Solve (but Also Create) New Challenges
The retail and hospitality sectors are experiencing a dramatic transformation in how they gather and utilise customer data. While these insights offer powerful solutions to traditional challenges like cost management, waste reduction and loss prevention, they also present new complexities in data management and infrastructure. Here are some ways in which Hitachi’s clients are responding to these challenges:
- A pioneering quick-service restaurant chain has deployed Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to monitor facility conditions and staff movement. This enables immediate response to potential safety hazards, such as spills, while optimising operational efficiency.
- Theme parks and luxury retailers are leveraging real-time data analytics to personalise customer experiences. From sending wait-time updates to park visitors to enabling sophisticated customer engagement in high-end retail environments, data-driven solutions are reshaping consumer interactions.
Cloud Migration: Strategic Planning for Digital Success
The journey toward digital transformation frequently centres on cloud adoption, yet the path is rarely straightforward. While cloud-based systems offer compelling benefits in data management, operational agility and scalability, the migration process demands careful consideration. Recent industry data reveals that over 50% of organisations exceed their planned migration budgets, with nearly two-thirds experiencing unexpected timeline extensions.
Success in cloud migration requires more than technical expertise. Organisations must do the following:
- Clearly define business objectives before migration
- Assess infrastructure readiness and compatibility
- Anticipate potential challenges and prepare mitigation strategies
- Select appropriate partners with proven expertise in their industry
- Plan for scalability and future technological advances
The Future of Digital Transformation: Balancing Vision with Agility
As digital transformation continues to reshape industries at an unprecedented pace, success requires a delicate balance of strategic vision and operational adaptability. From retail to healthcare, manufacturing to supply chain management, organisations are leveraging advanced technologies to solve complex challenges and create new opportunities. However, the journey demands more than just implementing new technologies – it requires clear business objectives, robust infrastructure, effective data management and comprehensive change management strategies.
As Yoshinori Hosoya, CEO of Hitachi Cloud Services Platforms Business Unit, aptly noted, organisations must “adapt to change with foresight and agility”. Those that can master this dual approach will be best positioned to build digital foundations that evolve with emerging technologies and changing business needs, ultimately thriving in our increasingly digital future.
To learn more about innovation in the global retail and hospitality sectors, you can check out Datos Insights’ retail technology research.
Hitachi Digital Services provides cloud and data, applied AI, enterprise application services, managed services and sustainability, along with Industry 4.0 services. It operates in a range of industries from manufacturing to healthcare to retail to energy.
