We at Control Dynamics love solving our client’s manufacturing problems using technology. If implemented correctly, technology can save major amounts of money on operating costs and improve output.
There was a recent report on IndustryWeek.com, which covers issues related to U.S. manufacturing in print and online for over a half a million monthly readers, written by Kimberly Knickle, research vice president at International Data Corporation (IDC), a 50 year old firm of over 1100 industry analysts.
Knickle offers manufacturing predictions for 2016 and beyond. CDI’s Operations Director, Rich Hamilton, agrees with those predictions. He says working with an experienced firm like CDI can help to “maximize your technology investment and assist you in developing a sustainable plan with your IT staff.”
Here are Industry Week’s 10 Manufacturing Predictions for 2016:
1: The Impact of Customer Centricity. By the end of 2017, those manufacturers that have leveraged customer-centricity investments will gain market share growth in the range of 2-3 percentage points.
2: Global Standards for Global Manufacturers. In 2016, almost all manufacturers will impose their global standards on all operations, including outsourced operations and suppliers, to decrease risk and increase market opportunities.
3: Value Realization. By the end of 2016, 65% of manufacturers will have metrics in place to evaluate and drive pervasive changes in the workplace with their new technology investments. Hamilton adds, “Technology continues to change rapidly and offers opportunities to improve your company’s operations, and ultimately its value.”
4: Building on IoT-enabled Products and Processes. By 2019, 75% of manufacturing value chains will undergo an operating model transformation with digitally connected processes that improve responsiveness and productivity by 15%.
“Innovation in plant floor machine networks and hardware have allowed more intelligent and efficient operation. When applied properly, machine-machine and machine-business interfaces can open the door to improved value,” says Hamilton.
5: Redefining Modern Supply Chain Logistics. By 2019, 50% of manufacturers will have modernized their logistics network to leverage 3-D printing, robotics and cognitive computing to support innovative postponement strategies.
6: The Decline of Short-Term Forecasting. By the end of 2019, enterprise-wide improvements in resiliency and visibility will render short-term forecasting moot for 50% of all consumer products manufacturers and 25% of all others.
7: Enterprise Quality via the Product Innovation Platform. By 2018, 60% of top 100 global manufacturers will be using a product innovation platform approach to drive enterprise quality throughout the product and service lifecycles.
8: The Digital Twin. By 2017, 40% of large manufacturers will use virtual simulation to model their products, manufacturing processes, and service delivery to optimize product and service innovation.
9: Smart Manufacturing with Cloud, Mobile, and Big Data and Analytics. By the end of 2017, 50% of manufacturers will exploit the synergy of cloud, mobility, and advanced analytics to facilitate innovative, integrated ways of working on the shop floor.
10: IT Transformation for Digitally Executed Manufacturing. In 2016, 20% of manufacturers will begin to break down organizational silos, reshape IT portfolios, and import new IT talent in the plant for digitally executed manufacturing.
“Operational flexibility, predictive maintenance, overall equipment efficiency, model based reporting, and remote visibility can unlock some of that potential,” says Hamilton.
What do you think about these predictions? If you need help making sense of how to incorporate new technology into your manufacturing, please contact us! We would be happy to walk you through the possibilities.
