As the saying goes, "A good beginning is half the battle." For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), where should they start their digital transformation journey? The first step should be optimizing production planning. Why is that? Today, we’ll share the real-world experience of a company that went from zero digitalization to a "lights-out factory" in 12 years, demonstrating the advantages of using production planning as the foundation for digital transformation.

Before 2019, this auto parts manufacturer followed a traditional model, with the owner having no awareness of digital transformation. However, as the business expanded and international orders flooded in, the company faced unprecedented challenges. Foreign clients demanded strict oversight of production processes and quality traceability data during inspections, but the owner could only present a stack of paper records. This awkward moment made him deeply realize that without digital transformation, it would be difficult to sustain orders.

In 2019, the company embarked on its transformation journey. Initially, it encountered numerous obstacles—management and employees struggled to adapt to new workflows, feeling that the transformation only added to their workload. However, the owner overrode objections and introduced lightweight systems like Maidafeng. These systems quickly improved production efficiency, giving everyone a taste of the benefits of digital transformation.

Over time, the company’s digitalization efforts shifted from being "forced by the owner" to "employees proactively requesting needs." Staff members began actively seeking digital solutions to enhance work efficiency and production quality. By 2024, the company had achieved its "lights-out factory" goal, with some workshops operating unmanned. Revenue multiplied, and the company established a strong reputation overseas.

This transformation fully demonstrates that SME development relies not only on digital transformation but also on appropriate system support. Maidafeng, as a "small, precise, lightweight, and fast" integrated solution tailored for SMEs, is dedicated to helping companies quickly restructure their scheduling models and unlock new momentum for growth. Through digital transformation, businesses can formulate more accurate production plans and improve efficiency, enabling them to stand out in the fiercely competitive market.