Only one thing was certain over the last year — and that was that change is constant. Across all industries, changes wrought by the ongoing pandemic brought great challenges, but also unexpected opportunities. And nowhere was this more evident than in the manufacturing industry, where according to one survey, nearly all players saw their business suffering long-term effects from the pandemic. In response to these changes, however, 91% of manufacturers have increased their interest — and investment — in digital technologies to fuel a transformation.
The survey showed that more than half of these leaders had IT security concerns and 45% had issues with hiring the right talent. Of those that actively pursued digital platforms, 100% said they were beneficial, especially in the areas of speed, quality, and transparency. Going forward, an additional 65% of manufacturers are targeting operational efficiency to be able to respond faster to supply disruptions and changes in the marketplace.
There are many digital technologies that can enable digital transformation in manufacturing, ranging from complex to simple. This article will introduce you to some of the most significant.
Digital Tools and Technologies That Can Benefit Your Manufacturing Operation
Manufacturing is all about streamlining workflows and paring down business processes to their leanest. To gain operational efficiency, consider adding one or more of the following tools and technologies to your digital arsenal:
Autonomous Digital Tools
Many manufacturers are adopting autonomous systems to provide in-depth analysis of real-time situations and adapt without the need for human interaction. Robotic process automation (RPA) and artificial intelligence (AI) systems help manufacturers be more flexible. Flexibility ensures that any variables present in upstream processes can be easily navigated without sacrificing the quality of the final product.
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is revolutionizing manufacturing by assisting decision-makers in using the power of predictive analytics to make sounder, data-driven decisions. Using industrial data and the ability to foster machine-to-machine communication, the IIoT helps to support productivity and efficiency in just about every aspect of the manufacturing process.
Print and Document Management
As with any industry, manufacturers rely heavily on print processes and communication to navigate daily tasks. Print and document management solutions can not only automate tedious jobs such as data input, storage, routing, and others — but they can increase operational efficiency by boosting productivity and reducing human error. In addition, print management can save money by reducing the cost of supplies and optimizing the print environment for success.
Managed IT
Undertaking a digital transformation can put a big strain on your internal IT resources, and you may not be able to hire the talent with the proper knowledge base to keep your transformation on the cutting edge. Pairing with a managed services provider (MSP) to provide state-of-the-art technologies and know-how can help jumpstart a lagging transformation or get your organization off to the right start.
A competent MSP can perform a number of important functions to help you maneuver through your digital transformation, including:
- Providing an upfront assessment of current infrastructure
- Enabling seamless integration with onboard applications
- Managing IoT devices for security, quality control, and efficiency
- Monitoring applications for suspicious behavior
- Providing cutting-edge security across all systems
- Ensuring all hardware and software is properly patched an up to date
- Providing service and troubleshooting to tackle downtime
In addition to these, your MSP can assist your transformation through targeted analytics and visibility for better, more thorough decision making.
Partner with Blue Technologies for a Transformative Experience
If your manufacturing organization is ready to undertake a digital transformation or if you have come part of the way and need some help getting up to speed, our team at Blue Technologies stands ready to assist. From industry-specific knowledge to state-of-the-art tools, we have the right elements to help you leverage your digital future for increased operational efficiency and a healthier bottom line.
Get the edge on the competition. Contact a Blue Technologies consultant and learn how our targeted tools, technologies, and knowledge base can help your business transform today.
