Rising costs, supply chain disruptions and ongoing labor shortages won’t be going away in the immediate future. The manufacturing industry has dealt with these issues for a long time, but it could be said that the industry is getting better at dealing with these issues. Necessity is often the mother of invention and it’s certainly true when it comes to the range of new technologies designed to boost manufacturing and logistics across the industry.
A recent article in Forbes written by Fabio Belloni, chief growth officer and cofounder of Quuppa, the leading authority on advanced location technologies, explored the many ways tech is creating more efficiency and better safety for those in the industry.
On the Spot – Efficiency, doing more with less, continues to be an initiative for many manufacturing industries. Product-as-service (PaaS) location technologies are helping manufacturers become more efficient. The PaaS model is a process of selling the outcomes a product can provide rather than the product itself. With competition remaining fierce, PaaS offers a way to boost customer engagement and the possibility to expand business into new areas. Companies interested in leasing can consider PaaS solutions that offer an opportunity to have maintenance contracts and customizations on the basis of conditions and needs specific to the company, according to Belloni.
Keeping Connected – The Internet of Things (IoT) is no longer innovative technology but proven technology. Early adopters have turned into advocates showing the technology can be incredibly beneficial. Within manufacturing this can include the collection of information from sensors and actuators that’s received on a smart device accessible almost anywhere. One caveat to this technology is the need for increased cybersecurity. With bad actors always present, it’s important manufacturers have in-house experts who are there to keep the facility, its staff and data safe at all times.
Greater Safety – Safety in the manufacturing industry environment also includes its most essential element – it’s people. Persistent labor shortages leave many choosing to run a line based on the number of staff present at that moment. With fewer people trying to keep up with the current workload or even trying to do more, IoT can help manufacturers upgrade their safety measures. IoT sensor-tracking body suits can improve posture while environmental sensors can measure air quality. Plus, real-time locating systems inform supervisors where equipment and staff are at all times.
Driven by Data – An out-with-the-old approach finds more embracing the benefits of real-time data. Manufacturing execution systems (MES) provide tracking and documentation of the overall manufacturing process using real-time data. The systems provide monitoring, production scheduling, inventory control, employee scheduling, parts tracking, and reporting.
As the calculation of ROI continues to ebb and flow, technology could be a smart way to make the most of the current impediments, essentially making lemonade out of lemons.
To learn more about how to increase your manufacturing ROI, contact our experts at Mutschler Edge Technologies today.