{"id":10050,"date":"2021-12-16T06:53:13","date_gmt":"2021-12-16T04:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ca.syspro.com\/blog\/?p=10050"},"modified":"2021-12-22T10:50:05","modified_gmt":"2021-12-22T08:50:05","slug":"digital-transformation-for-africas-manufacturing-and-distribution-cio-and-cfo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ca.syspro.com\/blog\/digital-business-and-erp\/digital-transformation-for-africas-manufacturing-and-distribution-cio-and-cfo\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital transformation for Africa\u2019s manufacturing and distribution CIO and CFO"},"content":{"rendered":"

SYSPRO listens to different perspectives at two events in Kenya – one the CIO view and the other the CFO view on Digital Transformation \u2013 both November2021. Here we shared our experiences<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking at the CIO<\/strong><\/h2>\n

SYSPRO Africa first visited Mombasa Kenya at the main gathering in East Africa of CIOs – CIO 100. Hot sun directly overhead, huge humidity, white sands and a coral reef 1km offshore. The ideal location to let the ideas flow. So here is what we picked up:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. The importance of IT and infrastructure security<\/strong><\/p>\n

IT and infrastructure security <\/strong>came out strong. Whether in the cloud or on-premise or both, security of access, data and supplier integrity are paramount with digital transformation<\/a> \u2013 but solid security is also required to create customer\u2019s confidence in deployment of any Business IT. When 27% of security\/access is listed as user errors, and 9% are mistakes but 18% are malicious, users are twice as likely to intentionally harm data than make genuine errors. How do you mitigate this risk?<\/p>\n

Relook business processes and opportunities \u2013 yes pick the low hanging fruit \u2013 but only if it\u2019s a priority for your company and it brings significant improvement and returns. <\/strong>Too many organizations reach too near and see little return \u2013 it\u2019s called Digital Transformation not Digital Tickling. Remember you cannot learn to swim by paddling in the shallow water. To get to value<\/strong>, transformation brings people-pain, and you have to go through it, so make sure the change is relevant, important, and valuable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Investing in digital transformation training<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are essential benefits from different types of training<\/strong> needed for digital transformation. Sure, train software use, train software system-admin, all essential, but just as important is to expose the implementing techies to your business. They need to really understand your business and not just the generic traits of your industry. Salespeople, executives, and implementation teams must get into the trench with you, and dependent on each other to get to the end. So do a couple of days on-site being led round your customers\u2019 operations to see, hear, touch, smell and taste what matters.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking at the CFO<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Next SYSPRO<\/a> moved to Nairobi where, with ICPAK (The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya), we delivered the results of the INDUSTRY 4.0<\/a> regional research into manufacturing and distribution companies during the Covid-19 period to date. One point you should keep in mind is that the Kenyan economy includes a large Food & Beverage sector which grew by 43% in 2021 and accounted for 46% of exports.<\/p>\n

These are the key findings which may apply to a degree globally.<\/p>\n

Recovery in and from covid affected business <\/strong><\/p>\n