We live in a world that has evolved from the Internet of people to the Internet of things. Some even call this the Industry 4.0 version. Everywhere we look, all around us, the digital manufacturing transformation is apparent. The manufacturing industry revolution has taken place at a considerably phenomenal pace. Every manufacturer now is looking at transforming their enterprise into a ‘smart manufacturer’. The digital revolution taking place in the manufacturer industry is not so much about cutting costs, but more about turning into a manufacturing business that is agile and efficient in its everyday dealings.
Whether it is the speed at which orders are delivered, the personalisation offered to individual customers, or the rate at which innovation is adopted – the answers all lie with digital manufacturing. With the constantly evolving digital scenario, it can sometimes become a tedious task to stay ahead of the competition. To help you along your journey toward ‘smarter’ manufacturing, we have detailed out some guidelines that could go a long way.
Cybersecurity for Smarter Technologies:
As with any industrial revolution, the primary concern for manufacturer that are going digital is to provide their suppliers and customers with the security of transactions and emerge as a trusted business partner. Every business dealing, when done digitally, should be secured and this is where cyber security is of paramount importance. The first order of business should be to seek out every way to make your business digitally safe and this should be discussed as a priority with your digital developer. There are also several cyber security companies that can ensure the safety of your business on the digital platform.
The Know-how of Smart Manufacturing:
This involves a basic understand of smart manufacturing. What it entails, the ways in which it can be accomplished and the business benefits that it brings along with it. Smart manufacturing, in a nutshell, involves transforming your manufacturing business into digital manufacturing. This means that every aspect of your business (transactions, management, innovation, etc.) will all be digitized. Once you have oriented yourself to this transition, the benefits and implications, relative to your specific business, will be realised and attainable.
Staying Ahead of the Competition
Recent reports and surveys have confirmed that within the manufacturing industry there has been a drastic movement towards going digital. You don’t want to miss the bus. Most of the suppliers, investors and customers that your business is associated with have already adopted digital platforms and would be operating through them. This holds true for your competitors as well. It is fair to assume that they have already invested considerably in smart technologies. To be able to continue your business associations seamlessly, digital manufacturing is now a prerequisite for your enterprise to stay ahead in the industry.
Undertake Extensive Research:
Examine the supply chain related to you to get a fair idea of how fast it is going digital. Furthermore, an industry analysis is crucial to realise where you stand in terms of innovation. This could include several surveys and reports, easily available, which will give you a fair idea of the options available to your business and the opportunities that come along with it. Finally, there are several technologies that could be well-suited to your business and some that may not be required. Detailed research will prove to be cost-effective in your transition toward ‘smart’ manufacturing. One way to get started on this is through an orientation of work such as, The Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition and the German Industry 4.0 working group.
Use Technology to Track Progress
Over and above the need to use digital technologies to improve connectivity with your suppliers and investors, smart technologies can go a long way in increasing business efficiency through their ability to track your production, progress and employee efficiency. It can then offer suggestions that will help to improve the agility of your manufacturing enterprise. These industrial filters, which are executed through digital mechanisms, can prove to be significant factors toward business success.
There are many hurdles faced by manufacturers within the business sphere, such as, delayed response times, meeting supply deadlines, delivery timelines, production hurdles, etc. More often than not, these challenges are related to a lack of automated solutions. These issues, according to a recent survey titled ‘Smart manufacturing and the internet of things’ are considered to be more pressing that cost related challenges. The large volumes of information and options available to the suppliers and customers make business agility an absolute priority among manufacturers, with no room for laxity. There is a pressing need within the manufacturing industry to adopt digital solutions and most enterprises are jumping to the transition. The time to adopt ‘smart’ manufacturing is immediate and the benefits numerous. Calculate it towards your bottom line and hop onto the bus.
Gaurav Patel, the contributor of this piece, is Marketing Head for Filter Concept Pvt. Ltd. We providing filtration solution by manufacturing Filter and Cartridges for different industries. If you have views to share to add value, feel free to drop email at, info@filter-concept.com