People in tech: Simon Hjortsberg, Wolters Kluwer
Automation, the technology used to automate work processes, is reshaping both everyday life and business models. However, many organizations get stuck in pilot projects without moving forward. Simon Hjortsberg, Business Intelligence Manager at software company Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, believes that the key to success lies much less in the technology than many people think.
- The technology is ready. What matters is the organization's ability to think big, start small - and scale fast," says Simon Hjortsberg.
What do you see as the biggest obstacle to the success of automation?
- Many companies have started and tested, but get stuck in the proof-of-concept phase. They pilot individual processes but don't move to the next stage. This is often because they have not thought about scaling from the start. No provision has been made for connecting more flows, or there is a lack of responsibility and structure around data ownership. Those who succeed start small - but with an architectural approach that allows them to scale up. They have shifted their focus from systems to processes, and are building solutions that are flexible enough to adapt to new regulations, business models or markets. And they have clear KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) that link automation to actual business benefits. It is not enough to automate for the sake of it.
A common misunderstanding is that it is about automating as much as possible. "
Is it a technical issue or an organizational one?
- It is almost always organizational. Technology is not the bottleneck today. What matters most is whether the company has a culture that encourages testing, reflection and scaling. Those that succeed are often good at creating collaboration between IT, business and data managers - and have a clear shared vision. A common misconception is that it's about automating as much as possible. But automation is a means - not an end. The real benefit lies in what we choose to do with the time freed up. It's about making better decisions faster, not about taking people out of the equation.
What would you like to send to start-ups?
- Start simple but with a plan for how to build on it. Make sure you have the right data in place, that someone owns the processes, and that there is a business logic behind why what you are automating is important. It doesn't have to be complicated. But it does need to be deliberate.
What are the benefits of membership in TechSverige?
- TechSverige is an important unifying force for the industry. For us at Wolters Kluwer, it means a professional network where we can exchange experiences with other companies in tech and digitization.