Digitalization a Top Priority, but Reality Lags Behind
Manufacturing Industry Research Reveals: Strong Ambition, Weak Execution
Digitalization a Top Priority, but Reality Lags Behind
Manufacturing Industry Research Reveals: Strong Ambition, Weak Execution
Many manufacturers find themselves caught in a dilemma: they recognize the urgency of digitalization but struggle to take meaningful action. Recent research by IFS (2025) shows that 71% of manufacturing companies consider themselves digital laggards. At the same time, 92% of respondents in a Zebra Technologies survey identify digitalization as a strategic top priority. The ambition is clearly there — but the gap between vision and execution remains wide.
Disruptive Leap or Step-by-Step Progress?
Peter de Haer, Managing Director at HAI, understands why many manufacturers hesitate. “Large digitalization projects raise a lot of questions: do we have the people, the time, the budget… and when will it pay off?” he says.
He adds: “You can go all-in or start with standalone specialist tools — but without proper phasing, you either get stuck in costly investments or end up with a patchwork of disconnected systems. At HAI, we see every day how the right phasing combined with smart technology delivers quick wins — while keeping all the room you need to scale and make smarter use of your data.”
This isn’t about massive, disruptive projects — it’s about a practical, future-proof approach that delivers results fast. The HAI Cloud Platform is used by leading manufacturers in sectors such as food, chemicals, and packaging.
What do they value most? For sure, that’s the real-time insight into exactly what is happening on the production floor — in terms of speed, quality, consumption, and losses. As one of the manufacturers put it: “You can immediately see where your process deviates and where the opportunities lie to reduce waste. It brings both peace of mind and control.”
“You can immediately see where your process deviates and where the opportunities lie to reduce waste. It brings both peace of mind and control.”
Simplicity with Advanced Capabilities
This cloud-based insight gives operators, engineers, and managers full control over the production process — enabling sustainable, cost-effective, and optimized manufacturing.
The real power lies in the combination of simplicity and advanced capabilities. The HAI Cloud Platform is easy to implement and grows step by step into a powerful solution with increasingly smart, factory-wide applications of data.
Cloud Computing & Digital Twins
One striking insight from the IFS research is the difference in perspective within organizations. While 94% of executives see cloud computing as the key enabling technology, 85% of frontline employees prioritize digital twins. HAI bridges that gap by combining real-time operational data with the strength of cloud technology.
The technology is ready. The success stories are real. The question is no longer if digitalization is needed, but rather:
How can you start unlocking its potential today — without losing control of tomorrow?
Get inspired
Interested in more best practices of smart use of factory data, in the Food, Chemical and pharmaceutical Industry?
Get inspired by successes of others when it comes to software to facilitating a data-driven approach, a digital factory with A.I., OEE, quality, positive release, golden batch, CIP-cleaning, operator support, factory data anaytics, in-line measurements, production & technology dashboards… and much more.
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