Manufacturing
As renowned inventor James Dyson aptly put it in an interview some years ago, "Manufacturing is more than just putting parts together. It's coming up with ideas, testing principles, and perfecting the engineering, as well as final assembly." This reflection emphasizes the importance of staying on top of manufacturing trends, which involve innovation, rigorous testing, and engineering excellence in the manufacturing process.
Dyson's words take on profound significance as we explore current manufacturing industry challenges: supply chain optimization, plant performance, and skilled labor shortages. In this blog post, we explore how three manufacturing trends are solving these challenges and consider some innovative strategies for sustainable growth.
Top manufacturing trends shaping the industry
1. Optimizing the supply chain digitally
Economic uncertainty, disruption, persistent skilled labor shortages, and the daunting task of transitioning to zero-emission products are top supply chain concerns. In response, many manufacturers are embracing digital supply chain solutions to gain better visibility and fortify resilience. According to a Deloitte survey, 76% of manufacturers have digital transformation initiatives in place to enhance transparency across the supply chain.
But it's not all plain sailing when it comes to the production line–siloed data, port congestion, supplier dependency, and risks on shipping routes are just some obstacles that make for choppy waters. And even when the decision to rely on digital tools has been made, many organizations find that:
- Traditional development processes take too long.
- There's a shortage of talent.
- Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions lack the required flexibility.
One solution that is gaining popularity with manufacturing IT organizations is the use of low-code to develop applications. Low-code development platforms can facilitate rapid transformation by automating software delivery, helping organizations transform faster with less risk, cost, and complexity. And as their unique supply chain processes change and evolve, the speed and flexibility of low-code enables them to adapt these applications–whether it's adding new functionality, integrating with other systems, or accommodating changes in regulations.
Arnott's Group has a supply chain success story that's a testament to these benefits. They used enterprise low-code to rebuild three critical supply chain apps, all on a tight 6-month deadline, with minimal disruption to the business. With the apps delivered with low-code, Arnott's rapidly transformed their supply chain systems and processes, keeping pace with the evolving needs of their business.
2. Improving plant performance with data
Improving plant performance is fraught with challenges that range from real-time visibility to data security. Siloed data, data overload, inefficient production processes, unplanned downtime, and the convergence of IT and operational technology (OT) are formidable barriers to overcome. However, the transformative potential of data generated by sensors on equipment and the plant floor and transmitted by the industrial internet of things (IIoT) is significant.
With applications built to analyze and visualize this data, manufacturers can improve equipment maintenance, decrease unplanned downtime, enhance worker safety, raise productivity levels, and drive greater efficiency. Building these types of applications takes time and money. This is where enterprise low-code solutions like OutSystems shine, enabling manufacturers to build secure, highly customized apps that eliminate IoT roadblocks.
Take Medtronic, for example. This global producer of medical devices and therapies used low-code to build an IoT-enabled monitoring and triage platform for their business. The result is a significant reduction in maintenance costs and tangible asset management benefits.
3. Bridging the skills gap with modern technology
Currently, in the manufacturing industry, there is a shortage of skilled labor caused by rising competition for talent and changing workforce expectations. A Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute study projects that by 2030, the U.S. manufacturing sector could face a shortfall of 2.1 million workers. If not addressed, this skills gap could potentially cost the U.S. economy around $1 trillion. To attract a new generation of workers, manufacturers must change the public's perception of the industry. Modernized facilities that improve the work environment and applications that enhance the employee experience, from onboarding to daily tasks, can help manufacturers attract and retain talent.
Low-code platforms can help manufacturers build applications that improve supply chain visibility, inventory management, machine and equipment maintenance, and employee experience–more rapidly and more easily than with traditional coding. For example, Monadelphous developed "MonaWork,” a mobile app that has streamlined employee engagement and improved user experience for over 2,000 employees.
In addition, with low-code, non-programmers can build applications based on their knowledge of how things run on the shop floor or in the supply chain, further enhancing the appeal of manufacturing jobs. Low-code provides a means to address the immediate skills gap and to lay the groundwork for a more resilient and adaptable workforce for the future.
Transforming manufacturing with low-code
In our current climate of continued economic uncertainty, labor shortages and geopolitical risk, low-code can support the journey to increased resilience in global manufacturing. Just as Dyson's words highlight the creative and iterative nature of manufacturing, low-code can play a key role in transforming the industry, enabling companies to create bespoke software solutions faster that increase employee efficiency and engagement. Ultimately, low-code tools can equip manufacturers with the agility and resilience they need to innovate and adapt quickly to changing market conditions and customer demands.
By empowering employees to be proactive and responsive, manufacturers can stay ahead of the curve, drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge. Visit the OutSystems manufacturing web page for more information.
