Of course, technology is not just linked to customer service. Every link of our trainer production chain has involved multiple systems and programmes. From the computer-aided design used by the R&D department to the sourcing and contract management systems used by the procurement function, the inventory and tracking systems used by the logistics operation and the multitude of real-time management programmes and machine operating systems used in the manufacturing stage, the reality is that our trainers would still be a pipedream if it was not for the use of technology.
Can you imagine a marketing campaign that didn’t include pretty emails, a website, or social media?
Businesses are investing heavily in technology to keep a level playing field with their competitors, provide visibility of their supply chain, and enable real-time management of their products.
Modern consumers do not like to wait, a fact we have already established. If you currently have stock-outs, downtime while waiting for parts or a slow-moving supply chain, you are quickly going to lose your market share as ‘shoppers’ look for other options.
Luckily for the global manufacturing industry, the revolution known as Industry 4.0 is totally transforming manufacturing to make it robust enough to achieve the demands of today.
Itac, experts in improving manufacturing processes for their clients explain;
Industry 4.0 is the integration of manufacturing automation and data exchange, to create what has been dubbed as a “smart factory.” These factories will be controlled by a virtual production line that runs systems, monitors, and completes their physical processes. These systems will communicate in real time, whether that means a customer tracking the progress of his (or her) order’s production, or a company ensuring the quality of its operations. Simply put, connected software systems will run our physical manufacturing automatically.
Consumers care more about the integrity of their products than ever before. This means supply chains need to embrace modern manufacturing processes such as moving away from the traditional factory structure and embracing new technologies to offer full visibility to their clients. Industry drivers are already riding this wave of “smart-factory” innovation, implementing advanced analytical software, automated services and short turnarounds, with high precision.
Bottom line;
Envision a future where physical products can automatically be manufactured with just a few clicks of a button. An entrepreneur can conceive an idea, design it and have it made by systems which make critical production decisions for that founder. This is the vision of Industry 4.0 and the factory of the future.
This of course, could mean significant financial investment is required in order to implement the changes needed to match modern demand. Unfortunately, supply chains not on board with the changes are going to be left behind by the competition.