In the global business landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer an option but a necessity for the future of SMEs. AI-based technologies are already transforming markets, redefining business models and rewriting the rules of international competitiveness. In an increasingly interconnected and fast-paced environment, ignoring this revolution means risking being left out of the game. And this is not only a major problem for large technology companies: the innovation challenge also crucially affects small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are often the engine of the local economy but are still slow or ill-equipped to adopt AI solutions.
Indeed, SMEs have an opportunity to ride this transformation to improve productivity, optimize processes and reach new markets. However, to reap the full benefits of these technologies, it is critical to act now. Procrastination means leaving the field open to faster and more forward-looking competitors, compromising the ability to compete in the long run.
AI-based technology solutions and specific applications are numerous and available. It is a matter of knowing them and understanding “what they can be used for.” An interesting and very useful example is given to us by Aqrate, an Italian SME that has based its business on combining AI and human intelligence/skills.
The Aqrate case as an inspiration for the future of SMEs
Artificial intelligence has made great strides and has been on everyone’s lips for some time now. But who is really proposing solutions that give tangible results without compromising quality and control? At the current state of technology, a language translation made with AI is fluent and well exposed even in the parts that contain conceptual errors. This makes it more difficult to identify any errors without careful and competent revision of the entire translation. And serious proofreading essentially negates the economic benefits of having done the translation with AI.
And this is precisely where Aqrate comes in, the only solution on the market that can guarantee huge savings in translation costs while raising the quality of translations.
Aqrate’s clients are large companies that export their products and services and have high volumes of documentation to translate (manuals, marketing, legal, etc.). One of these is Leonardo Spa, whose Procurement Manager for Digital Performance and Services, Michelangelo Fani, expressed himself this way already after the first year of collaboration: “Through a constructive collaboration it was possible to see results right away both in terms of quality and economic efficiency.” A concrete example of value-added Open Innovation and collaboration between industry and SMEs, to be reflected upon as a model for other experiences.”
Aqrate’s solution is unique in the market because it completely changes the paradigms of the translation world:
- Aqrate does not do translations, which remain the responsibility of the company’s trusted translators.
- Aqrate does not make money on translations, but on the savings it manages to secure.
- Aqrate does not believe that it is the human being who has to control the results of the AI, but that it is the AI itself that has to provide precise directions to improve the quality of the documentation and translations made by editors and translators.
For this, Aqrate has developed a unique web management and text analysis (QAi) technology integrated with artificial intelligence and supported by a team of language analysts. Large companies such as Leonardo, Aesculap BBraun, IMA Sustain Ability, Comecer, MG2, Bugnion, Dexcom, Rainbird, and many others have taken control of the process and translation history, improving the quality of multilingual documentation and achieving huge savings in translation costs by retrieving what has already been translated in the past through optimization of similar phrases to be translated.
Digital future and success of SMEs: final thoughts
The case of Aqrate, an innovative company in the multilingual translation industry, demonstrates how the strategic adoption of artificial intelligence can be a turning point, integrating advanced AI solutions to automate and improve processes. Aqrate has not only improved the quality and efficiency of its services, but it has also gained a significant competitive advantage in a highly fragmented global market. This example shows that you do not need unlimited resources or gigantic facilities to innovate: you need vision, courage and the will to adapt. Aqrate has the courage!
Small and medium-sized enterprises can therefore make a difference by creating a high-level Italian working environment, starting with small steps such as in-house training, collaboration with technology partners or the adoption of specific tools for their needs. Great help can be obtained from DIGISUITE, the proprietary platform that Roncucci&Partners has created to support companies, even the smallest ones, in the approach to digital technologies through a logical path of information, verification and progressive knowledge, Understanding the steps or processes to which new solutions should be applied.
Only a proactive approach, based on targeted investment and an inclusive digitisation strategy, will enable us to meet the challenge we are facing by turning it into a lever for growth and innovation. AI is not the future: it is the present and Italian companies, including SMEs, cannot afford to lag behind.
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At Roncucci&Partners we help companies develop themselves and their business, embrace change and evolve to thrive in a world that is increasingly complicated, insidious and requires great expertise. We do this by applying punctual methods and rigorous strategies, the result of many years of experience and the richness of the numerous success stories we have conducted all over the world. Passion and method are indeed our guides to enhance the present and build the future.
