Digitalisation and operational consistency are the building blocks for the successful international expansion of SMEs. Guided by Innovation Advisors and Tech Experts at IPI Singapore, these principles can be translated into actionable steps for SMEs looking to scale with clarity and confidence.

  • Start with strategic clarity. Define your business goals, map your core processes, and adopt scalable technologies that align with your operational needs and market goals.
  • Build consistency through digitalisation. From automation tools to AI dashboards, invest in systems that ensure repeatability, quality assurance, and informed decision-making.
  • Design for scale and adaptability. Early product and process design decisions affect cost, quality, and manufacturability. Plan for scalability from the outset and validate assumptions before entering new markets

 

For Singapore’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) eyeing overseas expansion, success hinges not just on a standout product but on the ability to deliver it reliably, consistently, and competitively across diverse markets. Without operational consistency, even the best ideas can fall short when exposed to unfamiliar market conditions, varying regulations, and quality expectations abroad.

Delivering Consistently, Scaling Confidently

“Once you move beyond your home market, the challenge isn’t just about reaching new customers,” said Innovation Advisor Mr Chok Yean Hung. “It is about delivering your products or services reliably, on time, with the right quality, under very different conditions.”

For SMEs aiming to replicate their operations across borders, Mr Chok recommends three focus areas: a clear operational playbook that documents critical process parameters; a real-time dashboard to monitor quality and delivery indicators; and a connected manufacturing system with alerts and escalation pathways.

“These give SMEs the control and visibility needed to manage across geographies and scale confidently,” said Mr Chok. “Without them, deviations go unnoticed until it is too late.”

Technologies that enable this level of control are increasingly accessible. For example, an AI platform developed by Innowave Tech supports visual inspection, predictive maintenance and root-cause mapping for precision manufacturing, all in a modular, easily deployable format. This helps manufacturers reduce scrap, improve yield and allow SMEs to make decisions based on real-time data rather than intuition.

Laying the Right Digital Foundations

At the core of operational consistency lies thoughtful digitalisation. This includes the preparatory work required such as mapping critical workflows, identifying parameters toward operation robustness, and systemising processes that can scale. Choosing the right digital tools that are suitable for the SMEs would be important. “Digital tools can amplify consistency when used with intent, not just for efficiency but for replicability,” Mr Chok added.

Building on this perspective, Innovation Advisor Mr Liew Chee Yin emphasised the importance of setting a strong foundation before any automation takes place. Digitalisation is more than merely adopting the latest tools. It is also about designing processes that are repeatable, measurable and scalable. The most important first step is starting with clarity.

“Start by defining your business goals and mapping your core processes. Then choose scalable, proven technologies that fit and resist the urge to overengineer. Always start small,” Mr Liew advised. “Too often, SMEs jump into automation without a clear strategy, resulting in wasted time and resources.”

He encourages SMEs to begin with accessible, off-the-shelf, cloud-based solutions such as enterprise resource planning systems to low-code digital marketing platforms. “Use what is already proven. Customise only where it adds value and stay focused on what drives outcomes,” he added.

Designing for global scale

Tech Expert Mr Cheong Siah Chong agreed with this pragmatic approach. “Digitalisation should serve your business, not the other way around. The most important question is: what are you designing for, and who are you designing for?”

He emphasises that early-stage decisions from product design to process architecture can shape scalability, quality assurance and cost control down the line, “The earlier you identify potential roadblocks, the cheaper and easier they are to fix.”

A similar philosophy underpins Factorem’s plug-and-play AI module, which provides real-time Design-for-Manufacturing (DfM) feedback and automated price quoting based on computer-aided design (CAD) files. For manufacturers in high-mix, low-volume sectors, this translates to faster response times, fewer design iterations and higher quote win rates.

“Designing for scalability does not necessarily mean building the perfect product,” said Mr Cheong. “It means knowing what’s essential, what’s optional and how to make smart trade-offs.”

He also cautioned against confirmation bias when entering new markets. “Just because your current customers like something doesn’t mean it will succeed elsewhere. Validate assumptions independently and iterate quickly.”

Shared Success Through Automation in Action

Digital tools are most powerful when they are used to solve the right problems at the right time. That was the case for People Bee Hoon, a heritage brand producing rice vermicelli since 1943. As demand rose, especially from overseas, the company faced labour bottlenecks in folding and packaging its fragile product.

Hiring more workers was not sustainable, and conventional robotic grippers damaged the delicate noodles. Through IPI Singapore, People Bee Hoon partnered with Roplus, a start-up offering soft robotic grippers designed to handle irregular, fragile items.

By mimicking human motions and adjusting automatically using computer vision, Roplus developed a customised folding solution ‘reconfigurable vacuum gripper system’ for delicate bee hoon packaging, enabling People Bee Hoon to semi-automate its packaging line and enhance production consistency.

“The folding process became less physically demanding and more consistent,” said Mr Desmond Goh, Director of People Bee Hoon. “It has saved over 1,300 man-hours per month and allowed us to redeploy older workers and scale production without sacrificing quality.”

Roplus, in turn, benefited from this collaboration by refining its technology and opening new application opportunities for broader use in the FMCG manufacturing sector. This win-win reflects the unique role of IPI Singapore in facilitating partnerships that help both SMEs and tech providers grow together.

Laying the groundwork for global growth

International expansion takes off when internal systems support consistent, quality output. This reliability hinges on operational consistency, having the right systems in place to ensure repeatability, quality assurance, and adaptability. With these fundamentals, scaling becomes a strategic progression rather than a risky leap.

And that, according to the experts at IPI Singapore, means investing in foundational digital capabilities, from process design and AI-driven tools to external advisory support. “Don’t just digitalise for the sake of it. Growth starts with structure,” said Mr Chok. “When your processes are designed to be repeatable, quality-assured, and data-driven, scaling becomes a strategic next step and not a leap of faith.”

With the right strategy, tools and advisory platforms, local businesses can build the operational backbone they need to compete and thrive on the international stage. If you are ready to take your next step, join us at our upcoming Business Forward event to gain practical insights and connect with innovation advisors who have helped SMEs like yours grow smarter and scale with confidence. Explore what's possible - contact IPI today.