In this Feed & Grain Chat, Keith Bangasser, business analyst & pre-sales architect for Stoneridge Software, shares the importance and impact of digital transformation in the grain industry. Bangasser defines digital transformation as the process of using digital tools, particularly modern ERP systems, to streamline operations and deliver greater value to customers. He said at the core of this transformation is data: moving away from paper-based and spreadsheet-heavy processes into integrated systems that allow businesses to access and use their data more effectively.
Watch to learn how embracing a modern ERP platform can reduce manual work, improve accuracy and enable real-time decision-making through automation and machine learning.
Transcription of interview with Keith Bangasser, business analyst & pre-sales architect, Stoneridge Software:
Elise Schafer, editor, Feed & Grain: Hi, everyone, and welcome to Feed and Grain Chat. I'm your host, Elise Schafer, editor of Feed & Grain. This edition of Feed & Grain Chat is brought to you by Stoneridge.
Stoneridge offers a suite of solutions built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 for an integrated ERP experience. Its Commodity Accounting, Ag Sales, and Patronage and Equity solutions are designed to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and drive growth through digital transformation for a modern, secure, cloud-based experience.
Today, I'm joined by Keith Bangasser, business analyst & pre-sales architect for Stoneridge Software. Hi, Keith. Thanks for joining me today.
Keith Bangasser, business analyst & pre-sales architect, Stoneridge Software: Well, thank you for having me on.
Schafer: Absolutely. So, Keith, can you start by explaining what digital transformation really means for grain businesses?
Bangasser: That's a good question. So digital transformation is the process of using digital technologies, computers and software, to significantly change how your business operates and ultimately to deliver value to your customers.
Really, digital transformation is all about data. It's using your systems, whether it's an accounting system or other operational systems, to get that information not on paper and pencil, not in spreadsheets, but all in a database or in a data format that you can access that information. So, it's really about just digitizing and getting that information into a computer system.
Schafer: What are some signs that a business is ready or overdue for a digital transformation?
Bangasser: That's an easy one. If you have a lot of spreadsheets, right? Spreadsheets — we all have them in your system and in in your business, but if you have lots and lots of them, having that data locked up in a spreadsheet is not a great place for it.
So, between having a lot of spreadsheets and having enterprise accounting systems that really don't function completely for your business, that's a good sign. Or if it's antiquated — you're using old technologies — that's a good sign now's a good time to upgrade those systems and join the digital transformation age, if you would.
Schafer: So how can a modern ERP system reduce manual work and improve efficiency in daily grain operations?
Bangasser: Well, part of that system then is the transactional automation, and we're going to talk more about that during the webinar, but transactional automation and kind of machine learning and some of those things that make gathering that information much quicker and easier.
Schafer: What kind of data insights are most valuable for grain elevators or processors and how does ERP help uncover them?
Bangasser: Well, again, it's all about that data. It goes back to the data we were talking about earlier. When you get that data into a system — and we're going to show some more examples of this — we're looking at business intelligence now, and in other words, learning about your business. We used to call it reporting, data visualizations to visualize that data dashboard. All those types of things really help provide value and insights into your operation, and we're going to show some of that during our webinar.
Schafer: Well, thank you so much for sharing your insights with us today, Keith, and I know I'll be looking forward to learning more.
Bangasser: I look forward to talking with you soon.
Schafer: Well, that's all for today's Feed and Grain Chat. If you'd like to learn more about this topic, register on FeedandGrain.com for the upcoming webinar, Modern ERP for Grain: Transform Operations and Drive Efficiency. Thank you again for watching and we hope to see you next time!