How to excel in digital transformation with strategy, software

Digital transformation project management insights

• Benefits of business-value-driven digital transformation for industrial companies were explained by Hexagon at the 2024 ARC Industry Forum.
• Hexagon’s HxGN Advant X is a software and business strategy that can help industrial companies with digital transformation.
• Hexagon HxGN EAM Databridge Pro is a module for enhanced data integration.

Industrial companies are having trouble overcoming barriers to industrial transformation, according to Jason Vick, Hexagon executive director of strategy enablement and portfolio management. Hexagon’s HxGN Advant X is a software and business strategy that can help industrial companies with digital transformation, as Vick explained in a Feb. 5 preview to media and analysts at the 2024 ARC Leadership Forum in Orlando.

Business value driven digital transformation for industrial companies

Within industrial facilities, Hexagon’s Smart Digital Reality is helping to digitally transform clients’ businesses across asset lifecycles using more than 60 applications, involving safety, quality, efficiency and productivity, Vick said. A major challenge for industrial companies has been to overcome barriers to successful digital transformation. Vick cited a KPMG CIO Survey that said:

• 82% see no business impact to digital transformation projects chosen

• 73% see business value delivered from digital transformation projects

• 18% are effective in using digital technologies to enhance business strategy.

For better results, industrial companies should ensure business values are aligned to goals and objectives of digital transformation initiatives. Hexagon HxGN AdvantX is a business strategy and enabling technology, Vick explained.

Business strategies should be aligned to sales excellence processes, standardized, be efficient and effective, differentiate and be designed for the future.

Technology should align to the customer journey, be standardized, scalable, usable and secure.

Time is a limited resource.

Business strategy has three phases.

1. Value discovery: Invest where it matters. Showcase strategic value. Demonstrate financial value and investment feasibility, document and communicate the business case.
   Vick said Seth Godin said: Not adding value is the same as taking it away.

2. Value delivery enables investment strategy with a requirements analysis and design, phased implementation, acceptance and go-live. Adoption support and periodic health checks are required.
   Vick said Thomas Edison said: Vision without execution is hallucination.

3. Value realization is the longest stage, proving the investment’s value. It requires business case alignment, value realization discovery, substantiating the investment’s value, as well as documenting and communicating value realization.
   Vick said Winston Churchill said: However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.

Value realization is less common, Vick said because many grab the money and run. A business case often is not created. Almost no one does value delivery.

Figure 1: A smart digital reality accounts for digital projects and assets, as well as how to plan, design, execute, operate, maintain and secure, explained Jason Vick, Hexagon executive director of strategy enablement and portfolio management. Hexagon’s HxGN Advant X is a software and business strategy that can help industrial companies with digital transformation, Vick explained to media and analysts at the 2024 ARC Leadership Forum in Orlando. Courtesy: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering

Hexagon introduces HxGN EAM Databridge Pro, a module for enhanced data integration

In related news, Hexagon’s Asset Lifecycle Intelligence division Feb. 7 announced the release of HxGN EAM Databridge Pro, a new middleware and integration broker module.

HxGN EAM Databridge Pro is enterprise asset management technology powered by Apache NiFi, a leading open-source data flow automation platform. The software provides enhanced data integration capabilities by introducing new features for configuring data pipelines, managing endpoint connections and providing better visibility for efficient troubleshooting and debugging.

Databridge Pro empowers users across an organization, from data architects and engineers to system administrators and operators. It caters to two distinct personas: those that shape the data landscape and those responsible for the smooth operation of systems. This dual-focus approach significantly reduces errors and unexpected outcomes in the integration processes, allowing users to concentrate on core strengths, the company said.

Databridge Pro has three main components:

1. Dataflow Studio: A user-friendly interface for secure, custom data flows between EAM and enterprise systems with versatile connection options.

2. The Endpoint Catalog: A centralized registry for configuring and managing essential application connections, seamlessly integrated within HxGN EAM for a user-friendly experience. The Endpoint Catalog ensures synchronization between Dataflow Studio and EAM changes, such as adding or removing fields, tables or business objects.

3. 360 Transaction View: A comprehensive, EAM-integrated overview of Business Object Document (BOD) message journeys in integration flows, enhancing visibility and offering detailed insights for troubleshooting and operational management.

Key benefits include enterprise integration; data transformation, routing and distribution; and real-time processing.

Figure 2: Value realization is the longest stage in digital transformation, proving the investment’s value. It requires business case alignment, value realization discovery, substantiating the investment’s value, as well as documenting and communicating value realization, said Jason Vick, Hexagon executive director of strategy enablement and portfolio management at the 2024 ARC Leadership Forum in Orlando. Courtesy: Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering

Mark T. Hoske is content manager, Control Engineering, CFE Media and Technology, mhoske@cfemedia.com, with materials from Hexagon.

KEYWORDS

Open, interoperable automation architecture; distributed control node

CONSIDER THIS

How sure are you about succeeding with industrial digital transformation?

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our WTWH Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.