Accelerating Digitisation and Remote Work Management
Published on : Saturday 04-12-2021
Pandemic drives the adoption of smart factory technologies for smarter manufacturing, says Bino George.
Technology has reshaped the way we live, work and communicate. Similarly, the advancement in technology is shaping the trajectory of manufacturing enterprises, in the evolving new normal. In response to the pandemic and the increased pace of Industry 4.0, manufacturers are identifying the need for integrating smart factory technologies in an accelerated timeline. This quantum leap will play a crucial role in the country’s economic growth and position India to emerge more competitive on the global scale in the near future.
With Covid-19 accelerating digitisation and remote work management, businesses are demanding real time visibility into operations. This significant shift in business models is changing how manufacturers position their supply chain network. As a result, manufacturing enterprises are compelled to re-evaluate traditional infrastructure with a smart factory setup that is more adaptive, responsive and connected. The connected factory is a significant step forward from traditional systems to a more flexible and fully connected enterprise. Seamless flow of information from connected business operations and production processes that is agile is critical to meet the dynamic nature of new demands. At a high level, the greatest value of these technologies is to add context to data. Whether its sensor technology, augmented or virtual reality, or AI, it’s a matter of taking raw data, allowing the right person to find deep insights and make informed decisions. In today’s uncertain environment, embracing the right fit smart factory technology as a strategic differentiator remains key to enterprise survival.
Accuracy enables agility
Modern software offers cumulative capabilities in optimising assets, customer experience, process, and workforce. Many manufacturers are turning to smart sensors, condition-based monitoring, and the internet of things (IoT)—among many other smart manufacturing technologies. The use cases cover a wide range of operational processes as well as strategic applications. For example, advanced plant maintenance leverages condition-based sensors embedded in plant assets to monitor early warning signs that the equipment requires service. Trigger points can signal automatic reactions, such as scheduling calibration or part replacement, rerouting work, or, in the case of an emergency, shutting down a line. Supply chain visibility is made possible with sensors on packaging, shipping vehicles, and inventory storage systems to achieve a real-time update, accurate view of resources before they arrive at the plant.
So much of digital transformation is about collaboration and building a network of partners within a connected ecosystem. Establishing a clear goal by identifying significant challenges can reduce costs and improve business operations to achieve excellence.
Ensuring certainty in uncertain times
The manufacturing sector of India is expected to reach US$ 1 trillion by 2025, as per a recent Indian Manufacturing Sector in India Industry Report by IBEF. This boost in the manufacturing market is driven by digitisation and the ‘Make in India’ initiative by the government to transform India to global manufacturing hub.
To remain competitive in this new business environment, it is essential for manufacturers to actively deploy new strategies and re-evaluate where they fall on the digital maturity curve for technology and their people. A cultural change in the workforce can level-up capabilities and maximise business growth. Considering the changes implemented from Covid-19, manufacturing companies must analyse core infrastructure components and build efficient processes to embrace the fourth digital revolution for more agile and smarter manufacturing.
Bino George, Head of Business Consulting, Infor India, has strong and proven ability to connect with Top Management with regards to problem solving and understanding of expectations. He has hands-on experience in management consulting, business/product centric consulting to sales (new and account management).
