This month we discussed digitalization opportunities at a business and economic event hosted by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia.
The Export Forum 2024, held in October in Žilina, Slovakia by the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, focused on advancing the digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Emphasizing the supportive role of the state in the economic landscape for SMEs, the event also highlighted private-sector initiatives that contribute to local companies’ digital transformation, aiding their journey towards competitiveness and sustainability within Europe’s manufacturing sector.
Panel on Digital Transformation
At the event, Foreign Affairs and Tourism ministers expressed support for initiatives aimed at enabling SMEs to embrace digitalization gradually. In the panel “Digital Transformation – A Necessity and Key Factor for SME Success”, with MicroStep’s Marketing Director Michal Kováč as one of the speakers, calls were made to accelerate transformative processes for Slovak companies. Emphasis was placed on legislative support, EU programs, and strategic state-backed frameworks. As a leader in advanced automation solutions for cutting technologies like laser, plasma, waterjet, and oxyfuel, and with customers in over 60 countries, MicroStep already provides digital solutions specifically tailored to the needs of SMEs.
Starting Incrementally: CyberFab Manager and the Digital Europe Programme
MicroStep’s production management system, CyberFab Manager, caters to companies that start production with material cutting, making it ideal for engineering and steel structure manufacturing.
CyberFab Manager digitalizes material storage, cutting, and downstream operations, streamlining workflows, reducing human errors, and enabling data-driven decision-making. MicroStep also offers consultations and training to help companies set realistic digitalization strategies based on current workflows and goals. SMEs can access training supported by the EU’s Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL). “Digitalization can be incremental,” Kováč stated, highlighting a gradual approach that balances initial costs with measurable gains in efficiency.
Export Forum 2024: Key Insights
The fourth annual Export Forum, Slovakia’s largest economic diplomacy event, brought together over 400 participants, with 180 Slovak companies and 62 economic diplomats joining in bilateral consultations aimed at fostering trade ties. Slovakia’s Foreign Minister emphasized that export, investment, and international collaboration are essential to Slovakia’s economic strategy, as Slovakia ranks as the second most open economy within the OECD. This year’s discussions, framed by Slovakia’s 20 years of EU membership, focused on digital transformation, innovation, and building strategic partnerships.
