Matteo Panero: Nicola, Claudio, it’s a pleasure to have you here for this interview. Let’s start by introducing your professional backgrounds, your career paths, and your roles at Latitudo.

Nicola Bisi:
I am a DWH Architect with over 20 years of experience managing complex projects and developing advanced technological solutions. Currently, I serve as Project Manager at LATITUDO s.r.l., where I am also a co-founder. My passion and expertise in Data Warehousing and web applications are reflected in my extensive experience designing and implementing solutions that optimize data management and enhance business performance.

Claudio Malchiodi:
I am a co-founder of LATITUDO s.r.l. and responsible for all development projects in the fields of DWH and Data Analytics. My role is to ensure that the company remains aligned with market expectations in my area of expertise, while anticipating future business scenarios. I have led projects and integrations involving Microsoft SQL Server, Business Process Management platforms, and SAP interactions. For our clients, I have developed dashboards for data analysis ranging from telecom cost management to asset management—leveraging Microsoft SQL Server and, in recent years, Microsoft Power BI and Microsoft Fabric.

Matteo Panero: Latitudo has recently joined the Automate Group, a company specializing in industrial automation, manufacturing, intralogistics, and automated handling systems. How does Latitudo position itself within Automate and, more broadly, in relation to systems involving robots, automated production lines, and handling systems?

Nicola Bisi:
Latitudo’s positioning within the Automate Group centers on our ability to integrate, manage, and transform company data into valuable information to support strategic management decisions. This perspective comes from over 20 years of experience implementing data analytics solutions used by managers in areas such as management control, sales, and job order monitoring. Our key focus is on data and business processes not directly tied to production. This is what allows Latitudo to be a critical part of Automate’s future growth—where IT, OT, and AI competencies will increasingly converge.

Matteo Panero: Latitudo delivers Decision Science solutions to its clients. As a company, are you already applying these techniques internally to optimize your decision-making processes, or do you plan to do so in the future?

Claudio Malchiodi:
We already use these technologies with several of our clients, and within our company we apply them in forecasting—for example, for budget projections or project timelines. We have been active users and explorers of these tools for years.

Matteo Panero: From your experience, how has the perception of the importance of data for decision-making evolved in SMEs compared to large enterprises?

Nicola Bisi:
The centrality of data is crucial for all companies, regardless of size. One key development in recent years has been the emergence of technologies that make Data Analytics solutions affordable and feasible for SMEs. This is fundamental, because it allows them to access advanced tools that were once cost-prohibitive. That said, many SMEs still don’t fully recognize the importance of proper data collection and management.

Claudio Malchiodi:
In large companies, although resources are greater, we often see that technologies for data management are still underutilized. A cultural shift is needed here too, to ensure that data is used strategically across all business processes.

Matteo Panero: Which SME sectors are showing the greatest awareness and interest in data?

Claudio Malchiodi:
We see growing awareness in sectors that have traditionally relied on data, such as retail and finance. More recently, healthcare and agrifood are also emerging as important adopters. These companies are beginning to understand the value of using data to optimize processes, improve efficiency, and make strategic, evidence-based decisions.

Matteo Panero: Latitudo specializes in Microsoft technologies. Which Microsoft solutions do you find most effective in helping SMEs integrate data into their decision-making processes?

Nicola Bisi:
For SMEs, it’s important to have an accessible entry point into data analytics. The cost of technology—both licensing and implementation—is crucial. In recent years, introducing Power BI into our projects has allowed us to lower client objections related to license costs. Another key factor is the availability of cloud solutions, which make advanced technologies accessible at reasonable prices. One of the solutions we recommend most is Microsoft Fabric, which enables comprehensive business intelligence and is ready to integrate with AI and machine learning tools.

Matteo Panero: Have you developed success stories where tools like Azure or Power BI significantly improved SMEs’ decision-making processes?

Claudio Malchiodi:
Yes, we have many such examples. A common scenario is moving from massive spreadsheets with tens of thousands of rows to clear, visual dashboards that make decision-making much easier. In many companies, Excel is still the backbone of information sharing. However, centralizing data management and using certified systems with validated and easily accessible data greatly improves both reliability and clarity.

Matteo Panero: Do you think partnerships with organizations like the Decision Science Alliance (DSA) can amplify the impact of these technologies?

Nicola Bisi:
Absolutely. Collaborating with organizations such as the DSA provides access to advanced expertise, resources, and best practices, which can accelerate adoption and implementation of innovative solutions. These partnerships also promote knowledge sharing and advanced methodological approaches, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of the technologies deployed.

Matteo Panero: In the manufacturing sector, what are the main challenges SMEs face in creating a smooth link between commercial and production areas? How can data help streamline the entire process, from supply planning to distribution?

Claudio Malchiodi:
In today’s increasingly complex industrial landscape, it’s essential to standardize tools for data collection, management, and processing. Companies must undertake a digitalization journey that bridges the needs of commercial and administrative functions with those of production. Data and process digitalization are the key concepts that enable this integration and improve overall management.

Matteo Panero: Many still think that artificial intelligence is the domain of large enterprises. How do you encourage SMEs to overcome this preconception and view AI as an accessible tool? What unique benefits can SMEs gain by adopting advanced data analytics and AI approaches?

Nicola Bisi:
We encourage SMEs by providing training and showing that these technologies—once considered science fiction—are now accessible to all companies. New solutions have democratized access to AI and data analytics, lowering economic and technical barriers for SMEs.

Matteo Panero: Thank you both for sharing your experience and insights. You’ve provided a clear and inspiring vision of how Latitudo is contributing to the evolution of data analytics and automation. Your answers confirm the importance of an integrated approach and the centrality of data, and how SMEs, by adopting advanced technologies, can grow and strengthen their competitiveness. We look forward to seeing you at ISC 2025!

Nicola Bisi & Claudio Malchiodi: Thank you—it’s a pleasure to share our expertise and contribute to the dialogue on the future of Decision Science!