At Manchester Digital, we like to interview our members to find out a bit more about what they do and their work in the Greater Manchester digital and technology sphere. This week we're speaking with Steven James, Business Development Director at Hitachi Solutions Europe.
Welcome to Manchester Digital! Could you tell us a bit about Hitachi Solutions Europe and the solutions you offer?
Hitachi Solutions is a global IT company that provides digital business transformation solutions with a human-centric approach. The company offers a range of services across various sectors, including finance, professional services, retail, manufacturing, media, and public sector. The services include financial transformation, application modernisation, strategic low-code applications, and AI and data-driven transformations leveraging Microsoft cloud technologies.
The company also employs customer-focused methodologies, such as Design Thinking and Change Management, to support clients throughout their digital overhaul. Hitachi Solutions leverages its partnership with Microsoft as a Global Systems Integrator and Inner Circle partner, to incorporate advanced Microsoft technologies, such as Azure, CoPilot for AI, Dynamics 365 Business Applications, and custom development to lead its clients through revolutionary changes. The company has a worldwide reach with regional knowledge, which allows it to offer unmatched value to its customers by applying universal excellence with a keen eye on local market intricacies.
Hitachi Solutions Europe has a global presence. Why did you decide to join Manchester Digital and what excites you about the regional digital and tech ecosystem in Greater Manchester (GM)?
Hitachi Solutions established an office in Manchester to leverage the region's vibrant technology ecosystem and to become the region’s number one Microsoft AI partner. The company has ambitious expansion plans for Greater Manchester, aiming to harness the skills and capabilities of its 3,000-strong global workforce.
The decision to set up an office in Manchester was driven by several factors:
Collaboration and Innovation: Hitachi Solutions aims to collaborate with local stakeholders, including the Greater Manchester Combined Authorities, Manchester Digital, academia, the public sector, and the broader business ecosystem.
Technology Talent Pipeline: The company is focused on nurturing the city's technology talent pipeline and integrating AI as a core component of digital transformation strategies.
Strategic Location: Manchester provides a strategic location with a substantial community of employees and access to a rich pool of technology talent.
Overall, Hitachi Solutions is committed to driving business transformation and social innovation in the Greater Manchester region.
We're particularly interested in your AI Kickstarter initiative. Can you explain what this program is and how it helps businesses utilise Co-Pilot?
The Hitachi AI Kickstarter initiative is a program that helps customers maximise the use of Copilot, a generative AI tool that is infused into Microsoft products, within their business applications and processes. The program consists of four main offerings:
Kickstart: A two-day free engagement where Hitachi helps customers understand what Copilot is, how it can be applied to different scenarios and industries and generate ideas for potential use cases.
Design Sprint: A one-week fixed engagement where Hitachi helps customers focus on a specific problem area and build a prototype using Copilot studio, a low-code tool that allows creating custom Copilots. The prototype is then tested with users to validate the value of AI before scaling to production.
Prototype to Copilot: An engagement where Hitachi helps customers scale their prototype to a fully-fledged Copilot solution, using the best practices of AI delivery and extending to broader Microsoft services when needed.
Copilot Governance: A resource augmentation engagement where Hitachi helps customers put in place the technical and organisational controls to manage their Copilot solutions, such as data readiness, security, compliance, and change management.
The Hitachi AI Kickstarter initiative helps businesses utilise Copilot in their organisation to drive transformation by enabling them to:
• Explore the possibilities of generative AI and Copilot for their specific needs and challenges.
• Test the value of AI solutions with minimal risk and investment, using a design sprint approach and Copilot studio.
• Focusing on the needs of regional businesses, how does Hitachi Solutions Europe's expertise help to deliver quicker results for businesses and is this a recent business trend?
Hitachi Solutions leverages its expertise to deliver quicker results for regional businesses through tailored solutions, expedited discovery phases, experienced consultants, innovative methodologies, and a focus on results.
We provide business-tailored services that guide organisations through their transformation journey, ensuring alignment with specific needs and challenges. By conducting expedited discovery phases, we assess project viability and forecast potential ROI, quickly identifying and addressing business problems.
Our team of experienced consultants advises on the best way to employ technologies like AI, advanced analytics, and low-code developments, accelerating time to value. Using well-developed methodologies, we manage planning and execution stages, ensuring reliable outcomes. Understanding the culture and ways of working of our clients, Hitachi Solutions works in harmony to define and solve business problems innovatively, focused on results.
This approach aligns with business trends including digital transformation, AI adoption, customised business solutions, and a focus on sustainability.
To remain competitive companies are enhancing business processes, customer experiences, and overall operations through technology and data utilisation. AI is increasingly used in customer support to reduce operational costs. Businesses are adopting customised solutions to address unique challenges and improve operational efficiency. There is also a growing focus on sustainability and integrating data analytics and AI to drive business growth.
Overall, Hitachi Solutions's expertise aligns with these trends, helping organisations stay competitive and achieve their business goals efficiently.
Looking ahead, how do you see AI playing a role in the future of the digital and tech ecosystem in Greater Manchester?
Hitachi Solutions envisions a significant role for AI in the future of the digital and tech ecosystem in Greater Manchester. Here are some key points:
Driving Innovation: AI is seen as a catalyst for innovation, enabling businesses to develop new products and services. Hitachi Solutions aims to leverage AI to drive innovation across fast growing sectors in the region like Advanced Manufacturing, Retail, Finance & Professional Services, Creative, Media and Digital sectors.
Enhancing Business Processes: AI technologies such as machine learning, predictive analytics, and intelligent automation can optimise business processes, reduce operational costs, and improve efficiency. Hitachi Solutions is committed to helping businesses in Greater Manchester integrate AI into their operations to achieve these benefits.
Improving Customer Experience: AI-powered solutions like chatbots, virtual assistants, and personalised recommendation systems can enhance customer experience by providing timely and relevant information. Hitachi Solutions is focused on deploying these AI solutions to help businesses in Greater Manchester deliver better customer service.
Supporting Education and Skills Development: Hitachi Solutions recognises the importance of investing in education and skills development to ensure that the workforce is equipped with the necessary AI skills. We are actively involved in initiatives to promote AI education and training in Greater Manchester partnering with Manchester Young Professionals to drive AI adoption in the region.
Collaborating with Local Ecosystem: Hitachi Solutions is committed to collaborating with local businesses, academic institutions, and government bodies to foster a thriving AI ecosystem in Greater Manchester. This collaboration aims to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and to ensure that the region remains at the forefront of AI innovation.
Overall, Hitachi Solutions sees AI as a transformative force that will shape the future of the digital and tech ecosystem in Greater Manchester, driving growth, innovation, and improved business outcomes.
Thank you Steven!
To find out more about Hitachi Solutions Europe, click here
