EDA businesses connect for a day of inspiration, innovation and recognition

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  Posted by: electime      16th December 2024

The EDA’s recent Digitalisation Forum and Data Awards attracted over 90 representatives from wholesalers, manufacturers, software providers, and supply chain trade associations ready to hear how the UK’s electrotechnical sector can stay competitive, boost productivity and improve customer engagement through digital advances.

Richard Baxter, Director of Systems and Procedures at Edmundson Electrical Ltd, and incoming chair of EDA Data Services (the group leading the development of the EDATA data pool), welcomed delegates saying:

“Digitalisation is a wide topic, and it is becoming increasingly relevant to businesses that want to make fundamental changes to how they operate, and how they deliver value to their customers. Several dynamics drive this transformation – for example Artificial Intelligence which, when used effectively, can help to enhance and rationalise businesses processes by automating repetitive tasks, providing insights to speed the analysis of large volumes of data, and therefore improving decision-making.

“But we must not lose sight of the fact that adopting new technologies is not the real reason for embarking on a digitalisation journey. What’s most important are the tangible benefits which digitalisation delivers to businesses in the real world, such as: data-driven decision making, using accurate, up-to-date information to make informed decisions, and improve operations to drive business growth. Improved efficiencies through automating tasks and streamlining processes, which can, in turn, lead to cost reductions. And having a connected workforce: digital transformation can help fill skills gaps and upskill an existing workforce, so they are free to focus on higher-level, more productive tasks.”

Richard Appleton, Head of Digitalisation at the EDA, demonstrated the rapid progress achieved by the EDATA data pool and the planned introduction of product packaging and carbon facts and figures which, increasingly, wholesalers are demanding in response to customer enquiries. Other expert speakers covered a diverse range of topics including Digital Product Passports, AI, plus a panel discussion gave a vision of the future with ‘Product data – where do we go next?’ Several EDA solution providers demonstrated the enhanced efficiencies and improved user experience for EDA wholesalers through clever system integration with the EDATA data pool.

During the day Richard Baxter, Chair of EDA Data Services, presented this year’s EDATA Data Awards to:

Super Rod
Overall Data Quality Award <1,000 SKUs

D G Controls Ltd
Overall Data Quality Award 1,000 – 3,000 SKUs

Collingwood Lighting

Overall Data Quality Award >3,000 SKUs

Atlantic
EDATA Creator Pioneer Award

Aurora Lighting UK Ltd

EDATA Integration Pioneer Award

 

BEW Electrical Distributors Ltd, LEW Electrical Distributors and Worcester Electrical Distributors Ltd each received an EDATA Wholesaler Engagement Award.

 In addition to the main Awards, these manufacturers received commendations for achieving Gold Standard product data in the EDATA data pool:

  1. Kempston Controls
  2. Atlantic
  3. Thorn Lighting (a member of the Zumtobel group)
  4. Hager
  5. CQR Security Ltd (& Securefast Ltd)

The 2024 Digitalisation Forum & Data Quality Awards were sponsored by EDA Solution Providers:

  • Agathos Systems Ltd
  • B2BE Limited
  • Infor
  • Intact Software
  • Kerridge Commercial Systems Ltd
  • Proplanet