For SMEs, the technology agenda is being redrawn fast around artificial intelligence, data management, cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity. Success in digital transformation is no longer just about how much technology a company adopts — it’s about the tangible business value that technology delivers.
In a recent feature for Yeni Şafak, our CSO KadirCan Toprakçı explained why finding the right starting point is so critical for SMEs setting out on their digital transformation journey.
According to Toprakçı, the companies that will stand out are the ones that structure their data properly, bring employees along for the ride, and can actually measure how their technology investments move the needle on business results. He pointed to revenue growth, cost optimization and operational performance as some of the clearest signs that a digital transformation is paying off.
The feature also noted that a reliable, well-organized data infrastructure is essential for getting sustainable results out of AI applications. Toprakçı added that building the right technology stack is only half the equation — employee buy-in and rethinking business processes are just as critical to a successful transformation.
As AI adoption accelerates, Toprakçı said, so does the need for flexible, secure and scalable cloud infrastructure. He named retail, finance, manufacturing and logistics as the sectors leading the charge on digital transformation, noting that more accessible cloud solutions are helping SMEs move faster on their technology investments.
With close to 4 million SMEs now operating in Turkey, their priorities include access to financing, skilled talent, AI literacy, cybersecurity, compliance with data protection rules (KVKK), and expanding into global markets through exports and e-commerce. Toprakçı stressed that AI applications and strong cloud infrastructure will only grow more strategic for SMEs in the period ahead.
Read the full Yeni Şafak feature here:
