As more manufacturers buy into the promise of smart factories, how can they effectively set the stage for smart capabilities and transformed operations? Our manufacturing execution system (MES) series explores opportunities, strategies and best practices for organisations considering or launching smart factory initiatives.
Leading manufacturers recognise that the right technologies and data, along with a culture of continuous learning and evolution, can be an effective formula for achieving unprecedented business value. And, with enthusiasm growing around smart manufacturing as more compelling use cases come to light, organisations can take real steps today to ensure a smarter tomorrow.
In a recent Deloitte study, 86% of manufacturers think smart factory initiatives will be the main driver of competitiveness within five years. However, just 5% of manufacturers have at least one factory at full smart status and only 30% have smart factory initiatives underway.
For organisations still relying on legacy systems and operations, there’s likely no straight line to smart. To truly move the needle, executives must launch holistic initiatives that enhance productivity and savings while simultaneously setting the groundwork for overhauled operations, standardised processes and the dynamic agility that smart factories can bring. A critical component of this process is the manufacturing execution system.
This article series explores considerations, strategies and best practices for manufacturing leaders on how they can leverage MES to propel their organisations into the future of manufacturing. In each article, we explore ways MES technologies can enable next-level progress in the current manufacturing environment and break down the primary hurdles that companies often face as they build and scale MES solutions.
Faced with plateauing productivity, manufacturers are looking for systems and processes that can unleash new value. Competitive advantage hinges on adopting smart factories by providing enterprises with the potential for productivity improvement, labour efficiency and confirming and enhancing product viability with the digital thread. Yet, some 10 years after the emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, many manufacturers continue to see challenges in transforming to smart factory operations.
According to a Deloitte study, 86% of manufacturers think smart factory initiatives will be the main driver of competitiveness within five years and 83% think these initiatives will transform how products are made. However, just 5% of manufacturers have at least one factory at full smart status and only 30% have smart factory initiatives underway. Inconsistency in systems across global networks, among other obstacles, causes this stagnation. To move the needle, executives need to look to foundational initiatives that drive productivity and savings while setting the stage for rapidly transforming operations and adopting smart factories. A critical component is the manufacturing execution system (MES).