Digital Transformation

Digital Transformation: Empowering SMEs for a Data-Driven Future

The resolve Digital Transformation Blueprint for SMEs

For Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam, Digital Transformation is not merely an option; it's the strategic imperative for sustained relevance and accelerated growth in an increasingly digital economy. At resolve, we specialize in guiding SMEs through this transformative journey, creating robust digital foundations that naturally lead to data-driven decision-making. We understand that many SMEs are at different stages of digital readiness, often starting with manual processes and fragmented information. Our approach is tailored, practical, and designed for measurable impact.
The resolve Digital Transformation Blueprint for SMEs

Phase 1: Foundations – Digitizing Core Operations & Collaboration

Assessment & Needs Analysis

We begin by understanding your current operational landscape, identifying manual processes, communication gaps, and areas where digital tools can bring immediate efficiency.
Assessment & Needs Analysis

Empowering with Google Workspace

This is often the first, critical step. We implement and optimize Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, Chat) as your central hub for communication, collaboration, and document management.
Empowering with Google Workspace

Phase 1 Scenario: How a Retailer Can Benefit from Google Workspace

A retailer with a chain of clothing boutiques spread across a city. Like many growing businesses, communication between their stores, warehouse, and head office is chaotic. Orders are placed over the phone, inventory updates are shared via email attachments, and marketing materials are distributed through USB drives. This disorganized system leads to frequent stock-outs, delayed promotions, and frustrated staff.
Phase 1 Scenario: How a Retailer Can Benefit from Google Workspace

How implementing Google Workspace could transform their operations

Streamlined Communication

Each store gets its own dedicated Gmail address, making communication clearer and more professional. Teams can quickly exchange updates, schedule meetings using Google Calendar, and collaborate effectively without relying on fragmented tools.

Real-Time Inventory Management

Instead of emailing spreadsheets back and forth, the company can use a shared Google Sheet to track inventory in real-time. Store managers can instantly update stock levels, and the warehouse team can see which items need restocking at a glance.

Effortless Sharing of Marketing Materials

Marketing materials such as posters, designs, and promotional templates can be stored and shared through Google Drive. This ensures all stores access the most up-to-date materials, avoiding the confusion caused by outdated versions on USB drives

Enhanced Collaboration

With tools like Google Docs and Google Meet, teams across different locations can work together seamlessly. For example, the head office can draft a new promotion in Google Docs, get feedback from store managers in real time, and finalize it without the need for endless email threads.

Improved Decision-Making

By centralizing operations, leadership can use data from Google Sheets and other tools to make faster, more informed decisions. For instance, they can quickly identify which stores are struggling with stock-outs and adjust inventory allocation accordingly.

Phase 2: Automation & Process Optimization with Google Cloud

Identifying Automation Opportunities

Once core operations are digitized, we identify repetitive, time-consuming tasks ripe for automation. This could be anything from customer onboarding to inventory updates or marketing outreach.
Identifying Automation Opportunities

Leveraging Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

We utilize specific GCP services to build custom applications and workflows that automate these processes. This might involve:
  • AppSheet: Building no-code/low-code applications for data collection (e.g., field sales reports, inspection checklists).
  • Cloud Functions/Workflows: Automating tasks like sending automated follow-up emails, updating databases based on form submissions, or synchronizing data between different systems.
  • Custom Application Development: For unique business logic, we develop bespoke solutions on GCP that seamlessly integrate with your existing Google Workspace environment.
  • Phase 2 Scenario: How an Import/Export Company Can Benefit from Automation

    An import/export company that sources goods from a foreign country and distributes them across various regions. Managing shipments has always been a challenge. The process involves endless phone calls to shipping partners, countless emails to confirm delivery schedules, and hours of manual data entry into spreadsheets. The result? Inefficiencies, delays, and frustrated customers.

    How this company could transform its operations by leveraging Google Cloud

    Centralized Shipment Tracking

    Using App Engine and Cloud Functions, the company builds a custom application that integrates directly with their shipping partners' APIs. This means all shipment status updates—from departure to final delivery—are automatically pulled into a central dashboard. No more manual data entry or chasing updates via phone calls

    Real-Time Visibility into Shipments

    With the centralized dashboard, managers can view the real-time location and progress of shipments. For example, if a shipment is delayed at customs, the system highlights this instantly, allowing the company to address the issue proactively.

    Automated Customer Notifications

    Customers are no longer left in the dark about their orders. The system sends automated email notifications to update them on shipment progress, giving them peace of mind and reducing the burden on customer service teams

    Streamlined Operations

    By eliminating manual processes, the company saves countless hours of work. For instance, instead of spending time updating spreadsheets or making repetitive phone calls, employees can focus on higher-value tasks like optimizing delivery routes or negotiating better shipping rates

    Improved Customer Experience

    With faster responses to delays and real-time updates, the company builds trust and loyalty with its customers. For example, a delayed shipment can trigger immediate alerts, allowing customer service to provide timely explanations and reassurance

    Phase 3: Towards Data-Driven Decision Making

    Data Consolidation & Initial Analysis

    With digitized and automated processes, your business is now generating a wealth of actionable data. We help you consolidate this operational data into a central repository (e.g., a simple database or optimized Google Sheets structures).

    Basic Business Intelligence

    We then introduce simple, yet powerful, business intelligence tools (often leveraging Google Looker Studio with your Google Workspace data or even integrated with Sisense for richer insights) to visualize key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to your newly digitized operations.

    Developing a Data Culture

    This phase focuses on fostering a mindset where decisions are increasingly informed by the data generated through your digital transformation. We guide leadership and teams on interpreting basic analytics, asking data-driven questions, and making iterative improvements based on insights.

    Phase 3 Scenario: A Service Business's Transformation Through Digital Tools.

    A mid-sized translation agency that works with clients across industries, handling projects like legal document translations, marketing campaigns, and website localization. The agency collaborates with a large network of freelance translators worldwide. While the demand for their services continues to grow, managing operations becomes increasingly challenging.

    How this company can transform their business step-by-step using Google Workspace and Google Cloud

    Step 1: Digitizing Communication and Project Tracking

    The agency can start by replacing scattered emails and spreadsheets with Google Workspace. Client communication can be streamlined through Gmail, and project tracking managed in shared Google Sheets. This will help to consolidate information, ensuring everyone stayed on the same page and reducing confusion.

    Step 2: Automating Client Onboarding and Translator Assignment

    Next, the agency can automate critical workflows using Google Cloud's AppSheet and Cloud Functions. For example, new client onboarding and translator assignments can be automated, eliminating manual back-and-forth emails and significantly reduce administrative overhead.

    Step 3: Leveraging Data for Operational Insights

    With processes digitized, the agency can build a simple, centralized dashboard using Google Looker Studio. The dashboard to display real-time data on project statuses, translator availability, and client feedback, giving the agency's leadership a comprehensive view of operations.
    Through this dashboard, patterns that were previously hard to identify can be spotted. For instance, projects handled by new translators taking longer time or occasions that lead to client complaints about delivery times. Without the structured, digitized data, patterns of this kind will be difficult to identify and address.
    With this insight, the agency manager can conduct internal training specifically for new translators, focusing on workflow efficiency. Alternatively, the agency manager can assign new translators to slightly less urgent projects initially. The benefits of continuously improvements can be monitored and benefits assessed over time. The Agency isn't just working digitally; they are making data-driven decisions that directly improves service quality and client satisfaction, ultimately it will boost their reputation and repeat business.

    Benefits from Phase 3:

    Informed Decisions

    Move away from gut-feeling decisions to those backed by real operational data.

    Proactive Problem Solving

    Identify recurring issues early by monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) on the dashboard.

    Measurable Improvements

    Track the tangible impact of digital initiatives, such as improved delivery times or reduced client complaints.

    Foundation for Advanced Analytics

    Digitized and structured data provides the groundwork for more sophisticated analytics, such as predictive modeling or workflow optimization

    Benefits of Digital Transformation for Different SME Types

    Retail & E-commerce

    Streamline inventory management, automate order processing, personalize customer interactions, and gain insights into sales trends and customer preferences.

    Manufacturing

    Optimize production schedules, track raw materials, monitor equipment performance, and improve quality control through real-time data.

    Services (Consulting, Marketing, etc.)

    Enhance client communication and project collaboration, automate billing and reporting, and improve resource allocation.

    Healthcare (Clinics, Pharmacies)

    Digitize patient records, streamline appointment scheduling, manage inventory, and improve patient communication securely.

    Logistics & Transportation

    Optimize route planning, track shipments in real-time, automate documentation, and improve supply chain visibility.

    resolveprovides a practical, step-by-step pathway for Vietnamese SMEs to embrace digital transformation, ensuring that technology serves your business growth, not the other way around. We build the bridges from manual operations to data-rich, efficient, and insight-driven organizations.

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