Busting Common Myths of Rapid Digital Transformation in the Bottling Industry

Digital transformation is often met with skepticism in traditional industries like bottling. Misconceptions about the complexity, cost, and impact of digitisation can hinder progress and keep companies reliant on outdated tools like Excel spreadsheets. However, platforms like Softools are challenging these myths, offering scalable, integrated solutions that streamline operations and boost efficiency. In this blog, we will debunk common myths about digital transformation in the bottling industry, supported by real-world case studies.

Myth 1: Digital Transformation is complex and can take months/years

Truth: 

Softools can simplify your digital transformation journey, creating Apps in Softool's App Studio, with our intuitive drag-and-drop interface, saves time and removes reliance on IT resources.

Consider a major North American bottling company with over 30 facilities and 1,000 employees. The Quality Management team faced the daunting task of maintaining high standards using Excel spreadsheets, which made data entry, analysis, and reporting cumbersome and error-prone. By implementing Softools applications for audits, corrective/preventative action plans (CAPA), and root cause analysis, the company automated data collection and reporting in less than 2 weeks. 

This transformation enabled real-time visibility and collaboration, simplifying the entire quality management process. The results were immediate: faster issue resolution, improved real-time visibility, simplified analysis of inspections, and enhanced knowledge sharing. The myth of complexity was thoroughly debunked.

Myth 2: Digital Transformation is Expensive

Truth: 

No more reliance on hard-coded solutions that need external resources to change. Softools apps are customisable without the need for code so changes can be made to adapt to user feedback or changing business needs.

Take the example of a manufacturing company burdened by time-consuming, manual facility inspections. Recording results, generating reports, and assigning actions were laborious tasks managed through disparate spreadsheets, complicating accountability and oversight. By deploying an audit app on the Softools platform, the company enabled on-the-go data collection via mobile devices. 

This streamlined data consolidation and automated reporting, significantly reducing manual labor. The benefits were clear: immediate issue resolution, enhanced visibility, trend analysis, and improved collaboration. These improvements not only streamlined operations but also proved to be cost-effective by cutting down on manual processes and error-related costs.

Myth 3: Digital Transformation Disrupts Operations

Truth:

Implementing IT solutions often means business processes need to change to fit the way the system operates. Softools application platform is well suited to digitising existing processes with little or no process changes needed because the App Builder can create a solution that supports existing ways of working.

Asia's most successful bottling businesses, with over 100 facilities and a workforce of 6,000 employees, ran a Kaizen program for continuous improvement where employee-generated ideas were captured using an Excel template.

Softools enabled the creation of an advanced web solution for capturing ideas in the same format as the original Excel templates. Over time the application has evolved to reflect changing business needs and has incorporated AI capabilities to automate analysis of 6000 ideas a month bringing untapped insights and learnings to leaders.

The transition was smooth and the results were remarkable: centralised monthly KPI reporting, capture of improvement ideas from thousands of employees, support for recognition programs, and accelerated sharing of best practices. The myth that digital transformation disrupts operations was clearly dispelled.

Myth 4: Digital Transformation Leads to Loss of customisation

Truth:

Many companies worry that adopting digital solutions means sacrificing customisation. Softools dispels this myth by offering 100% customisable applications tailored to unique business processes.

Returning to the North American bottling company, the need was for a system that could adapt to its specific quality management needs without losing established processes. customising Excel to meet these requirements was challenging and inefficient. Softools allowed the company to design applications that mirrored their bespoke processes while providing the flexibility to adapt to regulatory changes and internal standards. The outcome was the preservation of the company’s unique quality management processes coupled with enhanced efficiency and real-time data. Softools' customisability ensured that the company's originality and adaptability were maintained.

The myths surrounding digital transformation in the bottling industry are just that—myths. We offer scalable, customisable, and cost-effective solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing operations. By automating workflows, centralising data, and enhancing real-time visibility, Softools debunks these myths and paves the way for a more efficient and innovative future in the bottling industry.

Embrace digital transformation with Softools and unlock the reality of enhanced operations and limitless potential.

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