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Manufacturing and Value Chains A new manufacturing paradigm is emerging where sustainability, intelligence and resilience are mutually reinforcing strengths. Image: Getty Images Kiva Allgood Head, Centre for Advanced Manufacturing & Supply Chains, Member, Exec. Committee, World Economic Forum Share: Our ImpactWhat’s the World Economic Forum doing to accelerate action on Manufacturing and Value Chains? The Big Picture Explore and monitor how Advanced Manufacturing is affecting economies, industries and global issues Stay up to date: Advanced Manufacturing This article is part of: World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Supply chains are at a transformative crossroads where the convergence of sustainability and innovation requirements is reshaping value creation. Digital innovation in manufacturing is enhancing, not replacing, human capabilities. Business performance and ecological benefits are often naturally aligned in the new paradigm. As we gathered at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, one thing became abundantly clear: Manufacturing and supply chains stand at a pivotal moment, comparable to the rise of the internet a generation ago. Just as that transformation fundamentally reshaped how businesses operate and engage with customers, today’s convergence of sustainability imperatives and digital innovation is revolutionizing how we think about production and value creation. We are witnessing […]

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Industry leaders discuss the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation at Tech & AI LIVE New York 2024 At Tech & AI LIVE New York experts from leading organisations came together to discuss how businesses can embrace digital transformation to stay competitive. The panel featured Leo Rajapakse, Business Technology Director of Cloud Center of Excellence at Bimbo Bakeries USA and Brian Comiskey, Senior Director of Innovation and Trends at Consumer Technology Association. They explored the necessity of digital transformation, its impact on business operations and customer experience, and the challenges of implementation. Digital Transformation Panel – Tech & AI LIVE New York The necessity of digital transformation Digital transformation is no longer a luxury—it is a fundamental requirement for businesses. Brian explained that core technologies such as cybersecurity, cloud computing and AI have evolved from being optional upgrades to business essentials. “Like water and electricity are essential to operating a building, these technologies are now the foundation of modern enterprises,” he said. Leo provided insight into Bimbo Bakeries USA’s transformation journey. As the world’s largest bakery, operating across 35 countries with over $20bn in annual revenue, the company has undergone a major shift. “We’ve transformed our entire infrastructure to […]

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Domhnaill Hernon, Global Lead at EY’s Metaverse Lab explores the hype cycle of technology at Tech & AI LIVE New York 2024 At Tech & AI LIVE New York Domhnaill Hernon, Global Lead at EY’s Metaverse Lab, discussed the reality behind the hype cycle of emerging technology, offering insights into how businesses can navigate trends and make informed investment decisions. Demystifying the hype cycle Domhnaill began by explaining the hype cycle concept, a model attributed to Gartner that outlines the journey of new technologies from initial excitement to real-world application. He described its stages, from the ‘peak of inflated expectations’ through the ‘trough of disillusionment’ and ultimately to the ‘plateau of productivity’, where meaningful adoption occurs. "Every emerging technology follows this cycle," Domhnaill stated. Domhnaill Hernon, Global Lead at EY’s Metaverse Lab The metaverse: Dead or evolving? Addressing the metaverse , Domhnaill noted that while media narratives claim it is ‘dead’, it is simply moving through the trough of disillusionment. He positioned the metaverse as the next evolution of the internet, making digital interactions more immersive and spatial. He broke the metaverse down into three distinct categories: Consumer metaverse – Primarily seen in gaming, where younger generations are already […]

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Published: 3rd February 2025 Share A recent survey by Ridecell , provider of fleet orchestration solutions for fleet and leasing management, unveils key industry trends revealing consumer expectations and technology adoption as top priorities for financial institutions. The Ridecell survey gathered insights from senior leaders across banks and captive finance companies, to identify the transformative trends shaping the automotive financial services industry in response to evolving consumer expectations and technological advancements. The survey found that 47.8% of respondents identified the increasing demand for digital services as the most significant market shift. Lenders are prioritising enhanced digital transparency, with 58.7% already integrating advanced digital features such as mobile apps and consolidated platforms to streamline the customer experience and boost operational efficiency. “Digital transformation is now a critical driver of success,” said Mark Thomas, EVP Alliances & Marketing at Ridecell. “This survey confirms what we see across the industry and in our discussions with captive finance and asset finance companies: technology adoption is essential to meet modern consumer demands. It’s clear that lenders who adapt quickly will lead in this competitive market.” As consumer expectations evolve, 41.3% of respondents highlighted the need for more flexible financing options. This aligns with global […]

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ERP upgrades present a perfect opportunity to fully modernize your tax operations. ← Blog home The rapid pace of innovation means powerful new tools and capabilities are waiting for tax teams—if they can take advantage. Unfortunately, uneven tax modernization leaves many departments working across disparate, disconnected solutions. Meaningful transformation requires carefully re-evaluating tax platforms for gaps or overlaps, and asking some important questions: Do my tax tools integrate well with each other and the business? Are we missing opportunities to automate processes and best practices? Are we able to leverage new innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) ? Decision-makers often seek ways to work smarter, but finding the right time to switch can be challenging. Big transformation events like ERP upgrades offer a perfect opportunity to enhance functionality and fully modernize tax operations. Highlights: Integrate tax tools during ERP upgrades for seamless modernization. Strategic planning minimizes disruption during cloud migrations. Dual-track modernization aligns tax and ERP transformations. Jump to ↓ Embedded systems should ensure peak operational performance Upgrading your ERP? What about tax transformation? Align leaders on core issues and share transformation resources A dual-track modernization strategy helps minimize business disruptions Seizing tax transformation opportunities in the digital age […]

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Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Digital transformation has emerged as the key for manufacturers to meet rising demands, achieve sustainability goals, and increase efficiency. As a result despite this, 45% of manufacturers plan to adopt smart technologies within the next year and avoid falling behind competitors. In this report, discover the top 10 digital transformation technologies driving the manufacturing industry. This article also provides a step-by-step guide to digitizing your operations to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality. Key Takeaways The Time to Act Is Now : Manufacturing is under pressure from economic challenges, performance demands, and shifting customer expectations. Top 10 Digital Transformation Technologies in the Manufacturing Industry 3D Printing or Additive Manufacturing Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR and VR) Robotics Digital Twins Edge Computing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Connectivity Technologies Cybersecurity Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Key Benefits : Digital transformation enhances quality, increases process efficiency, and increases profit margins. Step-by-Step Guide : With only 42% of leaders adopting digital transformation, manufacturers need to define goals, assess […]

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photo of an iphone showing a melting pot tiktok ad Ongoing investments in advanced data segmentation and marketing technology give franchisees with the fondue franchise a competitive edge in the modern restaurant industry. 1851 Franchise Contributor SPONSORED In the consistently evolving and increasingly competitive restaurant industry, delivering even the best guest experience is no longer the only demand an owner or operator must pay attention to. As digital media has become a more prevalent part of the public’s daily experience, success increasingly depends on a brand’s ability to leverage digital technology and data-driven insights. However, with consumers’ media consumption becoming more fragmented and personalized than ever, restaurant companies must evolve beyond traditional marketing approaches to reach their audiences effectively. Melting Pot has positioned itself at the forefront of this digital transformation, making significant investments in technology and digital platforms. This includes bringing on Heather May as director of digital last year, demonstrating its commitment to data-driven innovation in the restaurant industry. "Media, in general, has moved away from a model where the publishers are driving the narrative," May said. "People are self-selecting their media. Rather than publishing information blindly and hoping it’s delivered to the right person, we’re following […]

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Sathya Narayanan Annamalai Geetha Tech leaders aim to envision and define the future, not just stay ahead in an industry that is changing faster than ever. Sathya Narayanan Annamalai Geetha , a cloud architect at Google, is doing precisely that. With nearly two decades of experience, he has consistently helped enterprises reimagine how they use emerging technology, turning challenges into opportunities and pushing the limits of what is possible. A Spark Turns into a Tech Powerhouse Sathya earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics from Anna University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from Symbiosis Institute. Not one to stop there, he later honed his leadership skills through Stanford’s prestigious LEAD program. With top-tier certifications like TOGAF and advanced cloud credentials from Google Cloud, AWS, and Oracle, Sathya has built a strong foundation. "Education is more than just a degree," Sathya says. "It is about developing a mindset that helps you adapt and thrive." Changing What Digital Transformation Looks Like At Virtusa, Sathya developed capability design models for a major telco that revolutionized master data management that set the bar high. Then, during a decade at Oracle, he worked with leading Fortune 500 companies across industry verticals to […]

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ASTANA — Kazakhstan, a frontrunner in digital transformation, is no longer just adopting the world’s best practices—it is emerging as an enabler, said Vincenzo Aquaro, chief of the Digital Government Branch at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), in an interview with The Astana Times. Vincenzo Aquaro, the chief of the Digital Government Branch at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). Photo credit: UN Photo/Cia Pak Pioneer in digital governance “Rather than simply adopting strategies from advanced digital nations, Kazakhstan seeks to facilitate an open and transparent dialogue with peer leaders. This approach strengthens the country’s position as a global leader in digital governance and AI-driven economic growth, reinforcing its commitment to responsible, inclusive and future-oriented technological development,” said Aquaro. The 2024 UN E-Government Survey identified six key drivers for successful digital governance. This includes digital leadership and policy support, collaboration, data-centricity and regulatory frameworks, digital identification systems, robust digital infrastructure, and effective e-government services. According to him, Kazakhstan has integrated these principles and should continue strengthening them to sustain progress. “Kazakhstan has been a pioneer in digital governance, appointing chief information officers (CIOs) as vice ministers and establishing a coordination […]

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Nazrin Abdul Nazrin Abdul The implementation of Decree No. 718 by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, dated June 3, 2019, titled “On Measures to Establish the ‘Government Cloud’ (G-cloud) and Provide ‘Cloud’ Services,” is ongoing, Azernews reports. The Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA), under the Ministry of Economy, is the latest state agency to transfer its information systems and resources to the Government Cloud as part of the Decree’s implementation. SMBDA has fully integrated its information systems and resources into the Baku Data Center, managed by “AzInTelecom” LLC, under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport (MIND). “AzInTelecom” LLC provided SMEDA with Virtual Server (IaaS) and Backup-as-a-Service (BaaS) “cloud” services, ensuring high availability for the agency’s critical systems. It is important to note that the Ministry of Information and Communications oversees the “Government Cloud” project, with “AzInTelecom” LLC as its executor. As part of the project, state institutions are migrating their IT systems to Baku and Yevlakh Data Centers owned by “AzInTelecom,” resulting in reduced IT costs and improved system productivity. This migration enhances information system security, strengthens IT infrastructure, and ensures high-quality service delivery, with 24/7 operational coordination and monitoring. Additionally, “AzInTelecom” […]

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