Stuart Scanlon | Managing Director | Epic ERP | mail me |
In the midst of a global digital transformation, widespread integration of next-generation technologies like 5G and IoT is just over the horizon.
As these technologies become more prevalent, demands of the networks and business systems supporting them will grow and evolve at the same pace.
In order to capitalize on these trends and the new revenue streams they present, and to handle the complexity of diversification at the same time, networks must become scalable, intelligent, and automated.
The world around us is becoming smarter, and there is no way around it. Things and more importantly, consumers are becoming more connected and making more immediate demands on all our various activities, real-time on time is the new mantra.
So, what can you do to ensure your business stays on par with or, better yet, ahead of this industry curve? Simple, you can embrace Smart Manufacturing.
The market is becoming more cut-throat by the day, business is tough and getting more robust, which means you can no longer afford to wait for trends; you need to be the one setting them. Imagine the massive implication of a product recall. How can you prevent these issues from causing havoc in your business? Smart Manufacturing.
How smart manufacturing can future-proof your business
By using technology to connect all systems, operations and departments you build a smart manufacturing network for your business. This network provides access to real-time data as well as analysed data that all the decision makers can have access to when needed.
The whole principle behind Smart Manufacturing is to make the business run smoother, quicker and more transparently.
A Smart Manufacturing network is capable of collecting shop floor data, as it happens, from personnel and machines and translate it into actionable information to guide business. Real-time data that is processed and analysed correctly enables companies to cut out the broken telephone syndrome, as everyone will have a clear view of what’s happening where.
Moreover, you’ll have clear insight into how you can further develop products and the manufacturing process, where you can optimise and cut non-performing product altogether. So, instead of staying just ahead of the competition, you’ll be in a position to identify industry gaps well before your competitors, disrupting the game entirely and staying firmly in the lead.
As the data collected is accurate in a Smart Manufacturing network, you’ll be able to pinpoint exactly where something went wrong and where that batch went. You’ll be able to recall the defective products and have the evidence on your side that what you send to market is of the highest quality, avoiding possible PR nightmares.
Better yet, this kind of system can even indicate when something might potentially go wrong, based on either human error or machine malfunction. You will also receive notifications when machinery needs maintenance. Practising preventative manufacturing creates a safer and streamlined working environment.
There is a solution
In addition to Smart Manufacturing software, such as Epicor, you can also use stock-taking drones that record shop floor data. Relying on technology to reduce the menial and repetitive tasks, such as stock take, that your staff traditionally complete, you’ll be able to free them up to do additional and more satisfying work. Epicor ERP solutions offer smart manufacturing systems and much much more
One of the critical aspects to surviving and making a profit in an economy that’s under pressure and in a competitive market is to use accurately interpreted shop floor data that forms part of a Smart Manufacturing network. Time to stop wasting precious time and get smart.
