At the Indonesia Manufacturing Symposium 2025 held at The Westin Surabaya, digital industry practitioner Yundi Tenggono offered a comprehensive analysis of the challenges often encountered in the journey of digital transformation within industries. According to Tenggono, these challenges span from entrenched legacy systems and limited IT infrastructure to a shortage of skilled digital human resources. He underscored the critical importance of real-time data visibility and seamless supply chain integration as foundational pillars for achieving operational efficiency in modern manufacturing.
Tenggono emphasised that the success of Smart Manufacturing 4.0 hinges on a multifaceted approach encompassing a clear digital strategy, robust leadership, integrated IT and operational technology systems, and the strategic use of artificial intelligence and analytics. Equally pivotal is a sustained commitment to upskilling the workforce to bridge the digital talent gap that persists in many companies today. This viewpoint aligns closely with industry observations that digital transformation is as much about people and processes as it is about technology.
Matthew Addley, a manufacturing industry expert featured at the event, reinforced this narrative by stating that successful digitalisation requires the harmonisation of people, processes, and technology into a measurable, sustainable roadmap. This perspective echoes broader research on digital transformation challenges, which identifies resistance to change, unclear leadership, and fragmented organisational silos as major barriers to progress. Addressing these issues requires clear communication, strong sponsorship from leadership, and an inclusive approach that engages employees across all levels.
Digital industry observer Indra Kurniawan highlighted the role of platforms like Infor CloudSuite in providing companies with real-time factory performance monitoring, predictive downtime management, and comprehensive supply chain oversight. Such technologies are fast becoming essential in managing the complexities of supply chains, especially in a post-pandemic era where disruptions have underscored the need for agile and transparent logistics networks. Financial Times coverage similarly highlights the growing demand among executives for ‘control tower’ views enabled by AI and machine learning, to preempt disruptions and optimise operations.
However, the shift towards digital transformation is not without its softer, human-centric challenges. Industry specialists caution against what has been termed ‘transformation fatigue,’ a state where employees become disengaged due to rapid and poorly managed change initiatives. This fatigue is often exacerbated by top-down mandates that fail to involve frontline teams early on, thus reducing ownership and trust in the transformation process. Experts advocate for a product-led, incremental approach to change, focusing on clear outcomes and continuous improvement rather than one-off projects.
Further insights from broader digital transformation studies reveal that organisations frequently stumble due to unclear business objectives, insufficient leadership involvement, and an absence of a coherent strategic roadmap. To overcome these pitfalls, companies must define precise digital goals aligned with their broader business strategy, nurture a culture that embraces change, and invest in ongoing workforce development and infrastructure upgrades.
This message was encapsulated by Tenggono’s call for collaboration between industry players and technology providers. He stresses that Indonesia’s place in the global industrial revolution depends on partnerships that deliver integrated solutions—from software and hardware to infrastructure and technical support—tailored to local needs and ready for immediate deployment. Such collaborations are seen as catalysts for overcoming the technical and cultural hurdles that stand in the way of wide-scale digital transformation.
In sum, the Indonesia Manufacturing Symposium 2025 underscored that digital transformation is a complex, multidimensional challenge. While technology innovation remains vital, the human elements of leadership, culture, strategy, and continuous engagement ultimately determine the success or failure of these initiatives. With digital platforms becoming more sophisticated and interconnected, the need for a unified, strategic, and inclusive approach to transformation has never been more critical.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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