Modern manufacturing
Four trends driving the new inter-connected workplace
By Kevin Tucker
At the onset of the pandemic , a monumental shift occurred , and the manufacturing industry found itself at a crossroads . Many companies had been focusing on support for legacy systems while trying to retain talent as many employees moved into retirement . There was a widening gap between those gaining benefits from digital transformation , and those negatively impacted by Covid-19 because they were behind on the maturity curve .
Although these challenges were felt universally across all industries , the manufacturing world has a unique set of problems that add additional volatility for CIOs to contend with , making the job both scary and appealing . Manufacturing organizations were unprepared for the shift to remote work , the need to produce goods with fewer people due to illness , and solving supply chain uncertainties .
In order to be successful in a new workplace dependent on interactive tech and collaborative solutions , there are four trends that manufacturing executives and IT leaders need to be on top of .
Modernization and Industry 4.0
Historically , manufacturing has carried a stigma of being a harsh work environment , including technology stacks that have lagged behind other industries , constrained IT budgets , and a slow recovery from the pandemic . The typical manufacturing business
“
is cost-conscious and lacks advanced
Currently though , many manufacturing operations still require high numbers of staff
“ to be physically on location
IT skills , with weak IT / OT convergence . The new generations of workers expect automation , which can ’ t be delivered without a sound strategic modernization plan .
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