Panca Budi Tbk

Through this article, Anton Setiawan, General Manager of Information Technology at Panca Budi Tbk, shares how strategic, adaptable, and data-driven IT can power long-term business growth. Drawing on two decades of experience, he outlines how aligning technology with real business needs, fostering a data culture, and building scalable, future-ready infrastructure enables the company to navigate complexity, stay agile, and drive continuous innovation.

IT Management Influence: Aligning Technology with Business Growth

My two decades in IT management have reinforced that technology strategy should enable operational efficiency and long-term business resilience. At Panca Budi, serving diverse market segments in plastic packaging and rolls means navigating a highly complex supply chain requiring an integrated and thoughtful IT approach. I start by understanding core business pain points, then aligning them with pragmatic, forward-looking digital solutions. From ERP upgrades to factory floor automation, every initiative aims to strengthen execution while building a foundation for growth. I also prioritise strong stakeholder communication, ensuring IT is seen not as a silo, but as a strategic partner to the business.

Adapting Technology to Business Needs: Balancing Agility with Operational Stability

In a fast-moving, cost-sensitive industry like ours, the pace of changing business needs is both a challenge and an opportunity. One of the biggest hurdles is achieving agility in legacy-heavy environments, where new technologies must integrate seamlessly without disrupting core operations. To address this, we follow a phased digital roadmap, working closely with department heads to prioritise high-impact use cases that deliver quick wins while progressively modernising the tech stack. We also invest in change management, ensuring adoption is supported through training, clear communication, and demonstrable ROI. Our goal is to keep technology responsive rather than reactive.

“Technology is most powerful when grounded in real business needs and built to adapt as those needs evolve”

Emerging Technologies in Action: Building a Scalable, Data-driven Culture

Cloud computing and data analytics are core pillars of our digital strategy. We’ve migrated several key systems to hybrid cloud environments, enabling us to scale more dynamically and strengthen business continuity — critical in manufacturing, where downtime is costly. On the analytics side, real-time data from production lines, warehouses, and sales channels drives more intelligent decision-making. Predictive maintenance models reduce equipment downtime, while demand analytics make sales forecasting more accurate and data-driven. The actual value lies not just in adopting these technologies, but in fostering a data culture where every level of the organisation can act on insights rather than instinct.

Future-Ready IT: Designing Adaptable, Scalable Infrastructure

Scalability and adaptability are embedded into our IT architecture from the start. We use a modular design approach, ensuring new solutions integrate seamlessly through APIs and microservices, with platforms built to be cloud-ready or cloud-native wherever possible. Agile methodologies guide our software development and our broader IT governance, allowing us to pilot emerging technologies on a small scale, learn quickly, and scale what works. Strong partnerships with technology vendors and consultants provide early visibility into new tools and trends. Combined with a clear focus on strategic alignment, this keeps us prepared for what’s next.

Driving Digital Transformation: Lead with Empathy, Small Wins, and A Learning Culture

My advice comes down to three key points. First, start with empathy, not technology. Understand the challenges your business units face, align your digital roadmap with real pain points, and communicate in terms of business value rather than IT jargon. Second, create momentum through small wins. Digital transformation doesn’t have to mean a massive overhaul — it can begin by automating a single workflow or integrating one new data source. Visible results reduce resistance and build collaboration. Third, cultivate a team culture that values learning and experimentation. Innovation thrives when failure is viewed as part of growth. Encourage your teams to explore, test, and iterate. Digital transformation is a continuous journey that demands adaptability, curiosity, and strong leadership.