______________________________________________________________________________________ Smart manufacturing
As more buyers move online , manufacturers must meet them there with personalized experiences
collective data . Actionable insights from smart technologies can provide connected digital feedback which enables real-time operational optimization . This ensures organizations can proactively leverage new knowledge across the value chain .
Demand forecasting aims to predict future demand to allow manufacturers to get ahead of the game but unknown parameters such as supply , transport , and lead time problems can cause production scheduling , inventory planning , and transportation to be affected . This is where machine learning can help manufacturers with demand forecasting by using economic and consumer conditions in the marketplace to predict future customer conditions . It ’ s the first step in production planning and a key requirement to addressing uncertainties in supply chains . But the benefits don ’ t stop there .
Accurate demand forecasting can enable manufacturers to make informed decisions about production , inventory , and staffing to avoid shortages or overages . This will help manufacturers reduce operating costs , improve efficiency , and increase profits and help deal with periods of uncertainty .
3 . From top to bottom – adding CX value is a company-wide effort
Digital customers are now more connected with more options , so if their needs aren ’ t being matched , they will take their business elsewhere . Manufacturers need to rethink their customer experience and engagement approach and research shows 63.73 percent of manufacturers are already prioritizing their customer experience . But how can smart tools help ?
As more buyers move online , manufacturers must meet them there with personalized experiences . The whole customer experience doesn ’ t need to be digitized – simply digitizing product catalogues can be a step towards improving customer experience – as essentially , it ’ s all about giving customers more autonomy .
Due to lowering prices of IoT sensors , state-of-the-art mobile devices , and cloudbased statistics aggregation , manufacturers can enhance service standards and margins by providing remote tracking and proactive maintenance that complement damage / restoration assist .
Smart Factory – the next chapter for manufacturers
With cutting-edge technology , smart factories operate faster with increased precision when compared to traditional factories . These smart technologies are leading manufacturers into a more connected and automated future , which will unlock new efficiencies and productivity . ■
For a list of the sources used in this article , please contact the editor .
Kevin Bull www . columbusglobal . com
Kevin Bull is Product Strategy Director at Columbus UK , a global digital consultancy headquartered in Denmark . Columbus employs around 1600 digital advisors and consultants focused on the manufacturing , retail & distribution , food & process , and life science industries . It offers end-to-end digital services and solutions within sustainability , strategy & change , cloud ERP , data & analytics , application management , digital commerce , and customer experience . Columbus has offices and partners all over the world , and delivers its solutions and services locally – on a global scale .
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