Ako rozmýšľajú firmy, ktoré sa rozhodli ísť cestou digitálnej transformácie

A survey of 100 Slovak companies showed that digital transformation has shifted from a buzzword to a part of strategy. Businesses are starting from the basics, gradually moving on to working with data and seeking value from it. At the same time, they encounter weak support for education and the fact that green solutions are introduced mainly where there is a clear financial motive.

Who is digitizing and how they start

The survey was conducted by Slovenské centrum digitálnych inovácií, one of five European Digital Innovation Hubs in Slovakia. It focused on small and medium-sized enterprises with up to approximately 500 employees and 100 million euros in turnover that are already taking concrete steps in digitization. Managers in these companies state that digital transformation is aligned with business objectives and that they are prepared to adjust processes and organization if technologies require it.

Companies typically start by deploying “commodity” solutions: almost all have internet access and a website, after the pandemic they use collaboration tools en masse, and 93 % of companies communicate electronically with the government. They most often digitize administration, human resources, logistics, marketing, and customer services. Encouragingly, 59 % of companies also invest in cybersecurity; they are pursuing not only functionality but also resilience.

From data collection to analytics and artificial intelligence

Managers recognize that without data, intelligent management is impossible. Interest in data collection (approximately 58 %) significantly exceeds other advanced technologies, which suggests a healthy sequence: sensors or “retrofitting” machines first, then models and automation. Companies are also beginning to perceive the value of their own data and plan to leverage it in practice.

In the survey, only 44 % of companies neither use nor consider data for analysis and decision-making, which means that most are already thinking about how to use it. The trajectory is clear: collect, clean, connect, and only then deploy business intelligence or AI. The art is not to “have AI” but to embed it into an ecosystem of applications, data sources, and processes that genuinely help the company.

People, education, and the green “twin” transformation

Companies also invest in people: they support education, often in the form of on-the-job training, and are willing to cover it for employees. What is missing, however, is systematic measurement of digital skills and an accessible offering of quality programs; sectoral councils are working on this methodology, but state support, including lifelong learning, is weak for now. That is why some companies pay for courses from their own resources, yet they struggle to find suitable formats on the market.

Management involves people in changes in practical ways: it enables flexible work, provides technical support, and takes into account the experience of workers directly from operations. The connection between digital and green transformation manifests in practice mainly where money is at stake: for emissions, waste, or transport and packaging, “smart” solutions gain ground more quickly. However, thousands of companies remain out of scope—they do not make themselves known and existing schemes do not fit them; instead of complex projects, they would often need just simple tools and services, from warehousing to accounting.

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How Companies Think When They Choose the Path of Digital Transformation

Who is digitizing and how they start

From data collection to analytics and artificial intelligence

People, education, and the green “twin” transformation

Emil Fitoš

How Companies Think When They Choose the Path of Digital Transformation

Who is digitizing and how they start

From data collection to analytics and artificial intelligence

People, education, and the green “twin” transformation

Emil Fitoš

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