Covid-19 has forced the majority of manufacturers into digital transformation, a new report from InfinityQS has found.
The report states that 52 percent have either begun or are currently looking into digital transformation initiatives to enhance their operational performance, with advanced analytics being a top priority for a quarter of them (24 percent).
Last year was a challenging one, with many manufacturers putting their strategic plans on hold just to remain operational. Now, they want to make sure they’re ready for whatever may come next.
“One thing that the pandemic did was expose significant and often widespread operational weaknesses within incumbent manufacturing environments,” said Jason Chester, Director of Global Channel Programs at InfinityQS.
“It brought into sharp relief where legacy systems and outdated processes exacerbated the problems that manufacturers faced alongside new challenges such as the rapid shift to remote working, and supply chain disruption.”
Chester believes that by prioritizing digital transformation, manufacturers can address these newfound challenges.
Besides advanced analytics, industrial IoT and cloud computing are high on the agenda. Manufacturers want to be able to make proactive decisions to maximize their performance, respond to demand fluctuations and make sure they’re flexible in their everyday operations. Furthermore, IIoT and cloud computing can help manufacturers become more resilient to future “black swan” events.
“For manufacturers to stay ahead of competition and remain at the top of their industry they need to constantly adapt to their environment by making tactical digital investments,” Chester added.
“It is great to see the majority are rebounding from the pandemic and embracing digital transformation to increase their agility and maintain competitive edge, as companies that do are better equipped to improve their operations at a faster speed and even anticipate changes before they occur.”
