Question 1

What does Telos Advisory do?

Accepted Answer

Telos Advisory is a specialized consultancy in Sweden dedicated to guiding manufacturing companies through complex digital transformations. We focus on two core areas: implementing Industry 4.0 and Smart Factory solutions to boost operational excellence, and navigating Compliance-Driven Digital Mandates to ensure your operations meet strict EU and Swedish regulations. We bridge the gap between your shop floor technology, operational processes, and legal obligations.

Question 2

Our company is a small to medium-sized (SME) manufacturer in Sweden. Are your services for us?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We specialize in solutions for Swedish SMEs in the manufacturing sector. We understand the unique challenges you face, from limited budgets and skills gaps to the pressure of competing with larger enterprises. Our approach is to create a practical, phased digital transformation roadmap that delivers a clear Return on Investment (ROI) without requiring massive upfront capital.

Question 3

Who is behind Telos Advisory?

Accepted Answer

Telos Advisory is founded and led by Pawan Samarakoon, a specialist in industrial engineering, digital transformation, and operational excellence. The brand is an extension of his deep experience in helping manufacturing and tech companies optimize their processes, integrate new technologies, and build robust quality management systems. Our strategies are built on a foundation of proven, hands-on expertise.

Question 4

What makes Telos Advisory different from other consulting firms?

Accepted Answer

Our unique value is at the intersection of operations and compliance. Many consultants focus only on technology (the 'what') or only on compliance (the 'must'). We focus on the 'how'—how to implement digital solutions like IIoT and data analytics in a way that not only makes you more efficient but is also secure by default and compliant with complex regulations like the EU's AI Act and Cyber Resilience Act from day one.

Question 5

What is Industry 4.0, and why does it matter for my manufacturing business in Sweden?

Accepted Answer

Industry 4.0 (or 'Smart Manufacturing') is the fourth industrial revolution, characterized by connecting the physical and digital worlds. This includes technologies like the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), AI and Machine Learning, Digital Twins, and cloud computing. For a Swedish manufacturer, this isn't just a buzzword—it's your key to boosting productivity, improving quality, enabling predictive maintenance, and enhancing sustainability in your operations.

Question 6

We have a limited budget. How can we possibly afford an 'Industry 4.0' project?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the most common challenges we solve. You don't need to—and shouldn't—transform everything at once. We start with a Digital Maturity Assessment to identify the highest-impact, lowest-cost opportunities in your current operation. Often, a small-scale pilot project (e.g., monitoring a single bottleneck machine with IIoT sensors) can prove the ROI quickly and fund the next phase of your digital journey.

Question 7

What is the real ROI of a digital transformation project?

Accepted Answer

The ROI is measured in several ways: Cost Reduction: Through predictive maintenance (less downtime), energy efficiency, and waste reduction (improving OEE). Productivity Gains: By automating manual processes and using data to make faster, smarter decisions. New Revenue: By enabling more product customization or faster time-to-market. More importantly, you must consider the Cost of Inaction (COI). As competitors in Sweden and the EU adopt these technologies, standing still can mean losing market share, falling behind on compliance, and facing higher operational costs.

Question 8

We already use Lean manufacturing. Does Industry 4.0 replace Lean?

Accepted Answer

No, Industry 4.0 amplifies Lean. Think of it as 'Lean 4.0.' Your Lean principles of eliminating waste (Muda) are supercharged by digital tools. For example: Instead of a manual Value Stream Map, we can use a Digital Twin to simulate changes and find waste in real-time. Instead of relying on manual Andon cords, IIoT sensors can automatically alert teams to quality or performance issues. AI can analyze production data to find patterns of waste that are invisible to the human eye.

Question 9

What is a 'Compliance-Driven Digital Mandate'?

Accepted Answer

This refers to new, mandatory regulations—primarily from the EU—that dictate how you must design, manage, and secure your digital systems and any 'products with digital elements' (PDEs) you manufacture. These are no longer optional. Non-compliance can result in severe fines and being barred from the EU market. Telos Advisory helps you embed these legal requirements directly into your operational processes and technology.

Question 10

How does the new EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) affect my manufacturing company?

Accepted Answer

If you manufacture any product that connects to the internet (a 'product with digital elements'), the CRA will apply to you (enforceable from late 2027). It mandates a 'secure by default' approach. You will be legally required to: Ensure cybersecurity throughout the product's entire lifecycle (not just at the point of sale). Provide a detailed Software Bill of Materials (SBOM). Have a formal process for receiving vulnerability reports and issuing security patches. We help you build these security and compliance processes into your existing quality management system (like ISO 9001).

Question 11

We are starting to use AI and machine learning for quality control. What is the EU AI Act?

Accepted Answer

The EU AI Act is the world's first comprehensive law on artificial intelligence. It uses a risk-based approach: Unacceptable-Risk AI: Banned (e.g., social scoring, emotion recognition of employees at work). High-Risk AI: Heavily regulated. This includes AI used in critical infrastructure, as safety components in products (like machinery), or for employment decisions. Limited-Risk AI: Requires transparency (e.g., chatbots). If your AI-driven quality control system is classified as 'high-risk,' you will face strict compliance requirements. We can help you assess your AI use cases and establish the necessary governance and documentation.

Question 12

How does this relate to GDPR and ISO 27001?

Accepted Answer

They are all connected. GDPR governs how you handle personal data (e.g., employee or customer data). ISO 27001 is the international standard for an Information Security Management System (ISMS)—it's the framework you can use to manage all your security risks, including those from the CRA and AI Act. We often use ISO 27001 as the foundation to build a unified compliance system that covers all your digital obligations.

Question 13

We're interested, but don't know where to begin. What is the first step?

Accepted Answer

The first step is simple: a conversation. We offer an initial Digital & Compliance Readiness Consultation. In this session, we'll listen to your unique challenges, discuss your business goals, and provide initial thoughts on your biggest opportunities and risks. There's no obligation—it's a chance for us to understand your telos (your ultimate aim) and for you to see the value we can provide.

Question 14

How do you structure your consulting projects?

Accepted Answer

We follow a clear, three-phased approach: Assess & Diagnose: We conduct a deep dive into your current operations, technology, and compliance gaps. Strategize & Roadmap: We co-create a practical, step-by-step digital transformation and compliance roadmap that aligns with your budget and goals. Implement & Guide: We provide expert guidance, project management, and hands-on support to help your team implement the plan, ensuring you achieve your targets and stay compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Telos Advisory & Our Services

Digital Transformation & Industry 4.0

Compliance-Driven Digital Mandates

Getting Started with Telos Advisory