Digitalising a business starts with a specific task that needs improvement: a lost booking, unreliable stock figures or a quotation that takes too long. Buying software without addressing the underlying problem can create more work instead of removing it.
What the figures describe
The INE survey of business ICT use reports that 21.1% of enterprises with ten or more employees used artificial intelligence in the first quarter of 2025, while 44.3% used paid cloud services. These figures describe that period and group. They are not a measure of every Spanish business or an estimate for 2026.
The numbers help put technology adoption in context. They do not establish whether a particular product will be worthwhile for a shop, professional practice or workshop.
Choose a process and map it
Write down how a request arrives, who receives it, where it is recorded and what happens before completion. Mark delays and repeated tasks. A repair business might begin by sharing the status of each job before considering a sophisticated demand forecasting system.
Run a trial you can assess
- Set an observable goal, such as reducing unanswered requests.
- Record the starting position over a representative period.
- Try the tool with a small group of cases and a named person responsible.
- Check errors, exceptions and ease of use as well as speed.
- Decide whether to expand, adjust or stop the trial.
Include licences, setup, training and data correction in the cost. Ask how to export your records and what happens if you change suppliers. A low subscription price is only one part of the decision.
Organisation matters as much as the application
Assign permissions according to people’s tasks, arrange backups and agree who maintains the information. If AI drafts or classifies material, define which outputs need checking before they reach customers. An incorrect automated reply still creates a problem for the business.
Must the first step involve AI?
Not necessarily. A shared calendar, well-maintained customer records or an orderly inventory may address the immediate need. The useful test is whether the process improves and the team can sustain it. Start with a manageable change, record the result and use that evidence when considering the next purchase. Explore further practical ideas in our business and technology guides.
Archive conceptual illustration, not a photograph of a Spanish company or laboratory.
