Increased efficiencies, reduced costs, boosted profits, and ultimately growth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/p>\n
Through digital transformation, here is some insight into what manufacturing processes might look like in the not-so-distant future:<\/strong><\/p>\n1.A connected and flexible digital shop floor<\/strong><\/p>\nIn the smart factory, manufacturers will leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) to reshape product development and production.\u00a0IoT is a set of technologies that help to connect physical objects into networks so they can monitor their local environment, collect data, communicate with each other, and with external factors such as other systems and humans. IoT and connectivity combined with analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) will improve asset efficiency, decrease downtime and unplanned maintenance. In the factory this includes tracking productivity across the production floor and accelerating new product development by providing data to decision makers faster than ever before. This will also enable manufacturers to uncover new sources of value in services, for example, IoT devices will keep track of the final product from the factory to the customers\u2019 hands. In a smart manufacturing product lifecycle, these devices can report back location, time, and other details to improve services and production.<\/p>\n
2.Human-tech augmentation <\/strong><\/p>\nArtificial Intelligence (AI) systems automate processes and machines, thus making production systems more flexible and adaptable.\u00a0In the smart factory data-driven analytics is highly versatile and capable of fulfilling different roles in the business, whether it is serving as an advisor or supporter. For example, an AI-powered co-bot can assist with operations within the factory keeping employees on track, help maintain efficiencies and ultimately even solve some fundamental risks. At their core, augmentative systems allow manufacturers to meet growing demands and enable greater worker efficiency, safety, and productivity.<\/p>\n
3.Sustainable supply chains<\/strong><\/p>\nThe factory of the future is hyper-efficient and sustainable. Automation through digital technology can provide manufacturers greater visibility into their production processes, equipment wear-and-tear and more importantly energy usage. Armed with this data, organizations can then optimize production, improve asset efficiency and predictive maintenance to diminish energy loads as well as reduce material and water waste \u2013 all key factors in building sustainability.<\/p>\n
4.The use of low-code\/no-code<\/strong><\/p>\nLow-code\/no-code (LCNC) tools are designed to make it relatively easy for non-technical people to design, build, and launch applications quickly. These tools use visual programming interfaces that allow solutions to business problems to be created faster than could be accomplished with traditional software development. LCNC tools empower manufacturers by enabling the development of different applications required to create data-driven factories. LCNC platforms are increasingly becoming popular among manufacturers as they offer the modernization of processes, customization of digital solutions and flexibility for implementation and ultimately effective digital transformation.<\/p>\n