  We perform the first next-to-leading order computation of the $\gamma^{(*)}
\to V$ ($\rho, \phi, \omega$) impact factor in the QCD shockwave approach and
in the most general kinematics. This paves the way to the very first
quantitative study of high-energy nucleon and nucleus saturation beyond the
leading order, in various processes to be measured in $ep$, $eA$, $pp$ and $pA$
collisions at existing and future colliders.
