EPSS wins SMB Transformation Project of the Year; Venture recognized as runner-up for Biffa transformation.
Transformation projects of all sizes continue to raise the bar. Digital transformation is often associated with large enterprises, but this Small and Medium-Sized Business (SMB) category shows that some of the most ambitious and impactful projects are happening at smaller scales.
The Transformation Project of the Year Award for SMBs recognizes organizations generating under $1 billion in revenue that have achieved outstanding results with clear outcomes and strong execution through the strategic use of enterprise technology.
Winner: EPSS Drives National-Scale Transformation in Public Health 
The Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS) was named the 2025 winner for its project, “Pioneering Digital Transformation in Ethiopian Public Health Logistics.” The initiative involves digitizing the pharmaceutical supply chain across Ethiopia, replacing fragmented processes with a more coordinated, data-driven system.
The goal was to improve how medicines are procured, stored, and distributed across a complex national network. This required aligning multiple stakeholders, standardizing workflows, and introducing technology into areas where manual processes had been the norm. EPSS worked to integrate systems, improve data accuracy, and ensure teams across the organization adopted new processes. The result is a more connected supply chain with better visibility into inventory, demand, and distribution, allowing for faster response to shortages and more effective allocation of resources across the healthcare system.
Judges focused on the scale and real-world impact. The project improves access to essential medicines and strengthens the reliability of public health logistics. It shows how ERP-led transformation can deliver measurable outcomes beyond the organization itself, with direct implications for population health.
“The recognition of the digital transformation of EPSS reflects Ethiopia’s broader commitment under the Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy to build a digitally enabled, transparent, and efficient public sector,” Dr. Abdulkedir Gelgelo, Director General of EPSS, tells ERP Today. “This is a result of the vision, commitment, and collaboration of the EPSS leadership and donors such as The Global Fund. EPSS’s ERP transformation […] lays the foundation for further digital change. This is not simply a technology implementation—it is a national level reform that strengthens accountability, improves service delivery, and ensures medicines reach every community efficiently to strengthen health outcomes for all Ethiopians.”
Runner-Up: Venture and Biffa Align Transformation with Sustainability
Venture was named runner-up for its project, “Sustainability in Every Sense: A Partnership That Transformed Biffa,” which centered on modernizing Biffa’s operations through a close partnership approach that used enterprise technology to support both performance and sustainability goals.
The initiative addressed operational inefficiencies while creating a platform for more consistent and scalable processes across the business. It focused on improving visibility, coordination, and control across key workflows. By replacing fragmented systems and introducing more structured processes, the project enabled better decision-making and more efficient use of resources. Sustainability was built into the approach, with technology supporting efforts to reduce environmental impact alongside operational improvement.
Judges highlighted the strength of execution and the clarity of outcomes. The project shows how ERP transformation can support broader business priorities when it is tightly aligned with strategy. It stands as a strong example of how organizations can use enterprise systems to drive both operational and environmental progress.
“What’s been recognized here is our approach to partnership,” says Rob Mathieson, Co-Founder and Consulting Director, Venture. “We work closely with our clients, stay embedded, and concentrate on delivering change that makes a real difference to how the business operates. That’s exactly how we worked with Biffa, and we’re delighted to see it recognized.”
What This Means for ERP Today Awards in 2026
Transformation is not defined by organizational size. SMBs are delivering projects with impact that rivals—and in some cases exceeds—that of larger enterprises. In 2026, judges will look for ambition and outcomes, not just scale.
Purpose-driven transformation is gaining momentum. Projects that align technology with societal or environmental goals are increasingly standing out. Future nominees will benefit from demonstrating how their initiatives contribute to broader impact beyond the business.
Partnership models can be critical to success. The strongest transformations are collaborative, combining technology expertise with deep industry knowledge. Expect 2026 submissions to highlight the role of partnerships more explicitly.
