Data integration and management mindset drive digital transformation

The integration of accurate, standardized data is essential for building digitalized industrial plants and implementing advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Currently, many manufacturing facilities face a “data nightmare” due to fragmented information stored across various systems, formats, and even paper records. This fragmentation makes it difficult to create a unified interface for digital applications.

To resolve this, experts suggest that data standardization must begin during the project implementation phase. Requiring specific data formats, software, and ownership rights in bidding documents and contracts can ensure that 3D models, CAD drawings, and maintenance information are linked to a central database. This unified core serves as the necessary foundation for AI and machine learning to function effectively.

Beyond technical infrastructure, there is a critical need for a shift in management mindset. Dr. Tran Quang Huy from the FSB Institute of Management and Technology notes that in the era of Big Data and AI, relying solely on intuition or past experience poses significant risks. Leaders must move away from decision-making based on sentiment and instead adopt a data-driven approach. A common bottleneck is the lack of a clear methodological framework, where managers either delegate entirely to IT departments or adopt AI tools without a strategic integration mindset.