Scalable operations through digitalisation in a micro-SME: lessons from a lightweight traceability pilot
Roberts, Christopher (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121536196
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121536196
Tiivistelmä
This study reports on a development project in a Finnish micro-SME beverage producer that introduced a lightweight digital step to manage product handoffs. The literature review frames the work through business process management, socio-technical fit, and digital readiness in small firms. The goal was not to build a complex system but to make routine work easier to execute during busy periods.
The solution used a simple authoritative index and clear events to guide creation, placement, picking, and release. Evidence was gathered during the season through observation, logs, and short operator feedback. Four practical indicators were used to gauge effects on daily workflow: handoff access time, workflow search incidents, identification and recording error rate, and time-to-proficiency for new staff.
Results were indicative but consistent with the aims. Staff found items faster, search interruptions fell, errors were easier to spot, and onboarding became more predictable. The project shows how small, well-fitted digital steps can deliver business benefits without heavy tooling. The thesis concludes with design principles and a compact scorecard managers can carry forward across seasons so that gains are maintained when staff rotate and demand spikes.
The solution used a simple authoritative index and clear events to guide creation, placement, picking, and release. Evidence was gathered during the season through observation, logs, and short operator feedback. Four practical indicators were used to gauge effects on daily workflow: handoff access time, workflow search incidents, identification and recording error rate, and time-to-proficiency for new staff.
Results were indicative but consistent with the aims. Staff found items faster, search interruptions fell, errors were easier to spot, and onboarding became more predictable. The project shows how small, well-fitted digital steps can deliver business benefits without heavy tooling. The thesis concludes with design principles and a compact scorecard managers can carry forward across seasons so that gains are maintained when staff rotate and demand spikes.