Tapani Ojaluoma joins Digia’s executive team, responsible for business platforms – “Artificial intelligence becomes central to business”

“Transformation is essential for companies. The Business Platforms service area under Ojaluoma’s responsibility plays a crucial role as we integrate artificial intelligence more deeply into our business processes and customer solutions. Ojaluoma brings profound expertise and experience, and his addition to our executive team supports Digia’s growth strategy and internationalization,” says Digia’s CEO, Timo Levoranta.

“It’s great to be part of a team that has achieved profitable growth over several years. As Digia has expanded, it has become a significant player in the Finnish IT market, demonstrating its ability to deliver services even to large clients, including internationally. In just a few years, Digia has risen to become Finland’s leading Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner, successfully adopting and introducing new technologies such as artificial intelligence,” says Tapani Ojaluoma.

Jukka Kotro, who held the position before Ojaluoma, is transitioning to sabbatical leave as he moves toward retirement – and, in his own words, “full-time grandparent duties.”

“I thank Jukka for his long and commendable work at Digia, as well as his flexibility during the transition process. Jukka expressed his desire for this change about a year ago. It’s rare to build executive team changes so systematically and thoughtfully, and Jukka has contributed his expertise to the process. I wish Jukka all the best going forward – especially in achieving his goal of being the world’s best grandfather to his grandchildren,” says Timo Levoranta.

“Bringing Artificial Intelligence into Processes Requires Proximity to the Customer”

One essential factor in Ojaluoma’s selection, according to Levoranta, is that he possesses a vision and ideas about the role of business systems in the future and how Digia can move to the next level.

“To incorporate artificial intelligence more strongly into customer solutions, we need to be even closer to the customer and their processes. At Digia, it’s crucial for us to understand our customers and engage with them closely, including top management. Tapani is the right kind of hands-on leader in this regard, not just a corner office executive, and continues Jukka Kotro’s valuable work for the benefit of our customers,” says Levoranta.

What does Tapani Ojaluoma think about the business platform market and customer needs now and in the future, as well as Digia’s role in the market?

“Business platforms for companies have undergone significant transformation in recent years, but there is still much more to be done. Going forward, we will continue to help our customers leverage the possibilities of modern business platforms to develop their businesses and thereby grow Digia’s business,” says Ojaluoma.

According to him, a crucial aspect is that ERP projects should not be treated merely as information system projects but as change initiatives.

“Suppliers should boldly assist customers in their transformation and better highlight the opportunities offered by different business platforms.”

“Every customer should recognize that implementing and integrating cloud-based business platforms is different from what it was 10–15 years ago. The importance of data is growing because effective data availability is essential for utilizing automation and artificial intelligence in business processes. Data availability, utilization, and democratization within the company are all increasingly critical questions for the success of our customers’ businesses,” Ojaluoma concludes.

Tapani Ojaluoma

• Born: 1971
• Education: Master of Arts (Computer Science), University of Helsinki
• Background:
  • Extensive experience in various IT roles, including coding, testing, consulting, architecture, project and program management, product development, solution sales, outsourcing, and customer management. “My deep understanding of technology and processes has sometimes made things easier for my subordinates and sometimes challenged them.”
  • Over 25 years of experience in international assignments.
  • Ojaluoma joins Digia from CGI.
• Family: In a relationship, with 4 adult children and 2 stepchildren – Ojaluoma’s partner dreams of having a Labrador, and they actively search for one during their walks.
• Hobbies and Free Time:
  • Outdoor activities and sports, including skiing, running, and mountain biking.
  • Reading, including Ken Follett’s novels about the development of Kingbridge city, Elon Musk’s biography, and various business literature.
  • A potential future AI author? During leisure time, Ojaluoma explores the possibilities of AI by experimenting with different things. Recently, he wrote over 30 pages of a murder mystery novel, leveraging artificial intelligence.

More information:

Timo Levoranta
CEO, Digia
tel. +35840 500 2050
timo.levoranta(a)digia.com

Tapani Ojaluoma
Senior Vice President, Business Platforms, Digia
tel. +35850 438 5538
tapani.ojaluoma(a)digia.com