Digital transformation in businesses to improve competitiveness

There was a time when digital transformation was considered a “costly game” for large enterprises. But the reality in recent years in Thanh Hoa shows the opposite. It is small and medium enterprises, OCOP enterprises and traditional production facilities that feel the benefits of technology most clearly when applied to management and sales, thereby forming a widespread digitalization wave.

Customers use their phones to scan the QR code to trace the origin of Le Gia fish sauce before choosing. Photo: Chi Pham

According to the Department of Science and Technology, by 2025, more than 63% of small and medium-sized enterprises in the province will have used at least one digital platform in management; the number of enterprises implementing ERP, electronic invoices, accounting and sales software will increase rapidly every year. According to the e-commerce report of the Vietnam E-commerce Association in early April 2025, Thanh Hoa ranked 14th out of 63 provinces and cities in terms of e-commerce index in 2025; B2C transactions alone ranked 9th nationwide. These numbers clearly reflect the change in the operational mindset of businesses, especially when consumers increasingly prioritize online shopping and products with transparent traceability.

A notable highlight is that many businesses have proactively taken the lead in applying technology to solve core bottlenecks such as administration, production and quality control. Tien Nong Agricultural and Industrial Joint Stock Company - one of the province's large agricultural enterprises has digitized most of its production and distribution processes. Since 2024, Tien Nong has applied a GPS raw material management system, allowing real-time monitoring of fields, soil and water conditions and yield forecasting. Along with that, the enterprise has put into use a fertilizer traceability platform using QR linked with ERP software, helping to reduce order processing time by about 30 to 35%, and coordination costs by 10 to 12%. Many agents have recorded almost zero errors in delivery thanks to all data being updated in real time. Strong application of technology has helped Tien Nong expand its distribution system while maintaining effective operating costs, while increasing its competitive advantage over competitors in the industry.

Not only large enterprises, OCOP business groups, local products are also showing resilience in digital transformation. In recent years, Le Gia Food & Trading Service Co., Ltd. has invested heavily in digitizing the product chain. From 2023-2025, Le Gia deployed QR codes to trace the origin of all fish sauce, shrimp paste, floss products... to help customers check information on raw material areas, fermentation time, and processing procedures. Data transparency not only enhances reputation, but also helps products easily access retail systems and e-commerce platforms. Enterprises also build online sales channels, conduct regular livestreams, and use order management and logistics software, helping online revenue increase by more than 40% in just two years. This is clear evidence that digital transformation can completely help OCOP products expand their markets, escaping dependence on traditional retail.

Director of Le Gia Food & Trading Service Co., Ltd. - Mr. Le Anh, said: "The digital transformation process has created an important change for a traditional manufacturing enterprise like Le Gia. Previously, monitoring the fermentation process, checking shipments or tracing quality was mainly done manually, leading to difficulties in expanding the distribution system. Applying QR codes to all products, combining order management software - logistics and online sales channels, has helped the business's operations become more transparent and accurate. The number of errors in delivery has decreased significantly, customers trust more thanks to fully disclosed information, and businesses have more advantages when connecting with retail systems and e-commerce platforms."

Despite many positive results, digital transformation in Thanh Hoa enterprises still faces certain difficulties. Nearly 60% of small and medium enterprises lack technology-savvy personnel; many units are still confused in choosing the right system, or deploying it in a fragmented, unsynchronized manner. The issue of data security and information security also poses an urgent requirement when enterprises expand their online operations.

To remove these barriers, Thanh Hoa province has implemented many practical support policies. In the 2025-2026 period, the province will continue to provide consulting on the digitalization roadmap for small and medium enterprises; support 30 to 50% of the cost of using made-in-Vietnam digital platforms; organize training on digital skills, data analysis, e-commerce; and promote supply-demand connections through digital fairs and online platforms. The Department of Industry and Trade coordinates with major e-commerce platforms to organize online sales training courses for OCOP enterprises, helping many local enterprises expand their markets beyond the province.

For digital transformation to truly become a driving force for improving competitiveness, businesses need to change their mindset towards data-centricity. Businesses should start with easy-to-implement steps such as accounting, warehouse management, sales, etc. before moving on to more advanced solutions such as ERP, IoT, or big data analysis. At the same time, investing in digital human resources, building an operations team, and ensuring data security are extremely important to avoid risks during implementation.

Chi Pham

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chuyen-doi-so-trong-doanh-nghiep-de-nang-cao-suc-canh-tranh-271168.htm