Digitalization affects companies in every sector. The impact to industries such as commerce and publishing is evident, but the challenges to the industrial sector are somewhat more obsure (Industry 4.0). Nevertheless, companies can become significantly more profitable and efficent if they pursure digital solutions – the challenge is determining how to optimize existing processes and selecting the right solutions.

The rules of the game have changed. Digital products, consisting of a blend of both hardware and services can be created and delivered in a very short amount of time. Consequently, sales opportunities improve, but this means the number of potential competitors also rises. The result of the digital shift will be a full transformation of existing business models and a greater need for higher investments. A signficant challenge facing many companies is the digitalization of key processes along the supply chain.

Due to the worldwide interconnection of customers, both companies and their products are becoming more transparent. Businesses are facing pressure to make their products mobile, provide big data capabilities and to have data/applications available in real time from any location (Cloud).