Interview with Giovanni De Maria – Head of Strategic Partnerships, Zucchetti Group, and Alice Kirchner – Head of Zucchetti Digital Supply Chain

More and more companies are facing a concrete challenge in their digital transformation journeys: value is not created by technology alone, but by the ability to integrate it into processes and the real functioning of the organization.

This is where an increasingly clear principle emerges: truly transforming the supply chain requires a joint effort that combines technological expertise with process expertise.

Companies are no longer looking only for solutions, but for models capable of supporting them throughout the entire journey, from process design to actual execution.

Technology and Processes: Where Value Is Created

Zucchetti starts from a clear vision: technology is an enabler, but the outcome depends on how it is applied.

“One of the most common misconceptions is believing that technology can fix inadequate processes,” observes Giovanni De Maria.
“In reality, technology does not solve inefficiencies — it simply makes them faster.”

“It’s a bit like buying a faster car and thinking you automatically become a better driver. If you don’t work on how you drive, you’ll simply go faster. But not necessarily better.”

Without work on processes, automation risks amplifying problems instead of solving them. This is exactly where value is created for companies.

Why Alliances Make the Difference

Alliances arise from a concrete need: helping companies manage increasingly complex projects while avoiding misalignment between technology and processes.

“The goal is not to build a network for its own sake, but to create the conditions for customers to approach transformation with greater effectiveness and lower risk,” explains Giovanni De Maria.

“Collaboration between technology providers and partners improves the quality of implementations and increases the likelihood of achieving tangible results.”

This is not about offering more services, but about offering a more effective way of working on projects.

Ecosystem: Not All Partners Are the Same

In this model, the role of partners changes radically.

They are no longer simple implementers, but players who contribute directly to the final outcome. For companies, this means working with counterparts capable of entering into processes, understanding them, and supporting change over time.

The difference is not having many partners, but having partners who know how to work together coherently.

Zucchetti has chosen to build a carefully selected ecosystem that combines major consulting firms and specialized companies, united by one common element: the ability to work on complex projects and generate real value.

Supply Chain: The Maturity Challenge

If there is one area where this model is decisive, it is the supply chain.

“Today, around 50% of companies still need to digitalize logistics, and nearly 70% still need to digitalize production,” notes Alice Kirchner.

But the issue is not only the adoption of technology. It is the level of maturity with which it is adopted.

In many cases, processes are not yet ready to be automated, or digitalization is approached only partially.

“The point is not simply to introduce technology,” continues Kirchner. “It is to make the company capable of using it.”

“That is why we work with an ecosystem of selected partners, ranging from major consulting firms such as PwC and EY, to specialized companies such as Auxiell and Novalia, as well as technology partners like Link Management, Leiman and Agomir, to ensure that projects truly deliver results.”

A Model Built Around the Customer

Alliances, ecosystems, and partner selection all stem from one precise objective: making projects work.

By combining technology with process expertise, it becomes possible to reduce risk, improve execution, and generate tangible results.

The point is therefore not choosing between technology or consulting, but building a model in which both work together.

For companies, the difference is simple: not just implementing systems, but making the supply chain truly work.