From Barriers to Success: A Natural Next Step
After reading Arthur Blom’s recent blog Overcoming the Top 5 Barriers to Industrial Digital Transformation, I started thinking about the natural next step. Arthur, Business Development Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions, provides valuable insights drawn from his field expertise and customer experience. Once we understand what holds industrial digital transformation back, the logical question becomes: how can organizations achieve it?
With so many companies still hesitant to begin the process, it’s worth exploring what success actually looks like in practice. This follow-up blog breaks down the key components of successful industrial digital transformation and shows how one company put these into action.
What You’ll Learn in This Blog
By the time you finish reading, you’ll understand:
- Why digital transformation feels uncomfortable at first — and why that signals progress.
- What the six essential components of a successful industrial digital transformation are.
- How Italian bakery Forneria Genovese modernized its bakery operations without losing its artisanal identity.
- What tangible results digital transformation delivers: visibility, efficiency, productivity, security, and profitability.
- How your organization can apply these blog lessons to achieve measurable outcomes.
The Fitness Analogy: From Short-Term Pain to Long-Term Gain
Embarking on an industrial digital transformation is a lot like starting a serious health and fitness program. At the beginning, the process feels daunting. hanging habits and adopting new routines can feel uncomfortable, even painful, as the body adjusts to physical fatigue and soreness while the mind wrestles with uncertainty, doubt, and dips in motivation.
Moments of resistance inevitably arise when the old way feels easier, familiar, and less demanding. As much as I roll my eyes at the saying “no pain, no gain,” it’s true in this case. The only way through is forward, but the rewards are well worth it.
This makes sense. The reason people stick with fitness is simple: the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial discomfort. Improved health, strength, stamina, focus, sleep — even longevity — make the effort worthwhile. You feel better. Your mind and body simply perform better.
Digital transformation works the same way. The short-term effort is an investment that delivers measurable, lasting improvements. Yet many organizations hesitate, not from fear of change, but because they lack a clear picture of what success looks like. Once success is made visible, the path forward becomes clearer, easier, and far more compelling to follow.
So, what does a successful industrial digital transformation look like? I’ll show you.
The Core Components of a Successful Industrial Digital Transformation
Organizations probably know that digital transformation can make operations smarter, faster, and more competitive. But without clarity, many never get started — and if they do, execution often stalls. What separates a successful transformation from a failed initiative is a repeatable set of components: a mix of strategy, technology, and culture that delivers measurable value.
To bring this to life, let’s look at a real-world example: the Drago Forneria Genovese’s digital transformation success story.
Introducing Drago Forneria Genovese
Drago Forneria Genovese is a family-run bakery based in Genoa Pegli, Italy. For more than three decades, the company has produced breadsticks, panettone, and its famous crispy focaccia. Over time, Drago grew from a small artisanal bakery into a large-scale food production company — all while preserving and protecting its heritage of craftsmanship.
But growth brought new challenges. Their production plant relied on machines from many different vendors, making it difficult to unify operations or integrate with their enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Reporting was manual and inefficient; visibility was limited; and operational costs were rising. To stay competitive, Drago needed to modernize with a SCADA solution that would:
- Unify data across all equipment and production lines
- Improve visibility and reporting with real-time monitoring
- Reduce operational costs while boosting productivity
- Enable scalability for future enhancements
With these goals in mind, Drago embarked on its industrial digital transformation. Here’s what their success looked like — and the key components that made it possible.
1. Clear Business Objectives
Industrial digital transformation without a destination is just experimentation. The first step toward success is defining measurable business goals — whether that’s reducing costs, improving productivity, or scaling operations. Clear objectives provide alignment across teams and keep projects focused on outcomes, not just technology.
Drago’s objectives were crystal clear: unify production processes, cut operating costs, and connect a diverse fleet of machines to their ERP system. These goals created a roadmap that guided every decision, from choosing technology to selecting integration partners. With a strong “why” in place, their transformation had purpose and direction.
2. Unified Data and Real-Time Visibility
Industrial operations run on data, but fragmented systems and siloed machines keep that data hidden. Success requires breaking down those silos—making information accessible, actionable, and available in real time to achieve full operational visibility. With integrated monitoring and visualization, organizations can instantly detect anomalies, optimize performance, and minimize downtime.
Drago’s outcome: previously disconnected machines of varying models were unified into a single system. Operators now see real-time dashboards that display performance data and production trends. Instead of guessing or waiting for manual reports, Drago’s team can act on live information, boosting responsiveness and reliability.
3. Trusted Partnerships
Technology alone doesn’t guarantee success. Digital transformation succeeds when organizations choose trusted partners who bring both technical expertise and business insight. A strong system integrator and consulting partner can help translate vision into reality, avoiding pitfalls and accelerating progress.
Drago’s approach: the bakery partnered with SINTIA LAB, an experienced system integrator, and StG, a management consulting firm. Together, they provided technical implementation, data integration, and operational expertise. This collaboration ensured that Drago’s transformation addressed not only technology but also process and business strategy.
4. Scalable, Flexible Technology Platforms
Industrial organizations can’t afford to invest in rigid systems that become obsolete in a few years. A successful transformation is built on automation SCADA platforms that are modular, scalable, and adaptable — able to grow with business needs and integrate with future technologies.
Drago’s choice: GENESIS64, the automation SCADA platform from Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions, implemented by SINTIA LAB. GENESIS64 centralized monitoring, automation, and reporting into one platform. Even better, it was designed for scalability — enabling Drago to plan future enhancements such as energy monitoring and machine-hour tracking. The platform not only solved today’s problems but also set the stage for tomorrow’s growth.
👉 Take a closer look at how GENESIS drives industrial digital transformation — read our brochure.
5. Workforce Alignment and Culture
Industrial digital transformation fails when people resist change. Success comes when employees view technology as a tool that supports their work rather than threatens it. Balancing tradition with innovation fosters a culture where staff embrace new systems while preserving the identity and values that define the business.
Drago’s experience: even though their production processes became more digital, the company was able to preserve its artisanal craftsmanship. Employees saw GENESIS64 not as a replacement for their skills, but as a way to strengthen quality, efficiency, and pride in their work. The result was cultural alignment — where tradition and technology worked hand in hand.
6. Tangible Results That Prove Value
Success must be visible and measurable. Organizations that complete industrial digital transformation don’t just talk about innovation; they see it in their daily operations. The most common results include:
- Real-time operational visualization, monitoring, and control → instant insight into processes, equipment, and production performance.
- Improved efficiency → streamlined workflows reduce downtime and wasted resources.
- Increased productivity → automation and data-driven decisions enable higher throughput without additional labor.
- Reduced costs → optimized energy usage, fewer reporting errors, and minimal manual intervention lower expenses.
- Higher reliability and resilience → early detection of leaks, anomalies, and performance issues prevents costly disruptions.
- Data-driven decision making → ERP integration enables smarter business management at every level.
- Enhanced security and compliance → robust reporting and access control safeguard operations.
- Long-term profitability → efficiency and productivity gains compound over time, strengthening margins and competitive advantage.
Drago’s reality: the company now monitors operations in real time, automatically generates reports with almost no manual effort, reduces costs, increases productivity, and improves security. Most importantly, they achieved all this while honoring their heritage and continuing to deliver the artisanal quality their customers expect.
Their transformation success is best described in the words of Martina Drago, the company’s Plant Innovation Manager:
“Our collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions, SINTIA LAB, and StG has marked a pivotal moment in Drago Forneria Genovese’s journey towards digital transformation and operational excellence. Leveraging GENESIS software has not only streamlined our processes but also unlocked unprecedented levels of productivity and efficiency across our production lines. This strategic initiative has empowered us to uphold our commitment to craftsmanship while embracing the innovations of Industry 4.0. It’s a testament to how traditional businesses can evolve without losing their essence, ensuring that our beloved bakery products with authentic taste and quality continue to delight customers.”
— Martina Drago, Plant Innovation Manager
A Successful Digital Transformation Leaves a Clear Trail
Industrial digital transformation can feel as daunting as a new fitness journey — uncomfortable at first but ultimately rewarding. The difference between stalled efforts and real results comes down to following a set of proven components:
- Clear objectives → defining the “why” behind transformation
- Unified data → making fragmented systems visible and actionable
- Trusted partners → bringing expertise and guidance to the journey
- Scalable technology → ensuring platforms adapt and grow with the business
- Workforce alignment → creating cultural buy-in and employee engagement
- Measurable outcomes → proving value through tangible, lasting results
Drago Forneria Genovese shows what success looks like in practice. By modernizing their bakery operations with GENESIS, they gained real-time visibility, streamlined reporting, cut costs, improved productivity, and strengthened security — all while preserving the craftsmanship that defines their brand.
Their story proves that digital transformation is not abstract — but achievable, repeatable, and measurable. With the right strategy and technology, any organization can modernize operations, strengthen resilience, and position itself for long-term growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What makes digital transformation so challenging for industrial companies?
Legacy equipment, siloed systems, and manual reporting make it hard to integrate data and scale efficiently without a clear plan and platform.
How long does a typical industrial digital transformation take?
Timelines vary, but organizations often see results in months by starting with practical steps like automating reporting or centralizing data.
Is digital transformation only for large enterprises?
No. As Drago’s story shows, even mid-sized and family-run businesses can achieve measurable success with the right strategy and tools.
What role do employees play in the success of transformation?
A critical one. Transformation succeeds when employees embrace new tools as enablers. Training, communication, and cultural alignment are key.
How do we know if our digital transformation has been successful?
By results: real-time visibility, efficiency gains, cost reductions, productivity improvements, and long-term profitability.
Should we start with a pilot project?
For many organizations, yes. Running a pilot allows teams to test integration, measure results, and build employee buy-in before scaling across the enterprise. While Drago successfully moved directly into a full-scale transformation, a phased pilot approach can reduce risk and provide early proof of value in more complex environments. Start small, prove success, and scale from there.
Success Is Practical, Measurable, and Attainable
These questions highlight a common theme: success is not theoretical — it’s practical, measurable, and within reach when the right steps are taken. Organizations that define clear objectives, align their people, and choose scalable technology platforms see results sooner than they expect.
Ready to see what success could look like for your business?
👉 Explore more customer success stories or reach out to our team to start shaping your own transformation journey today.