Business Automation and Software Blog

On its own, raw data doesn’t tell you very much. After all, it’s just quantities and numbers stored on a computer. It needs to be analyzed and put into context before it can be useful. At that point, data is transformed into information. When placed into business intelligence reports, your management team can interpret the information and use it as the basis for sound decision making. To bridge the gap between data and information, your business needs a quality enterprise resource planning system (ERP).

Have you ever heard the saying that necessity is the mother of invention? If that’s true, then innovation is closely related to it. The global pandemic has resulted in multiple challenges (and opportunities) for manufacturers and distributors. Manufacturing innovation is the price of staying competitive now and going forward.

It’s no secret that the modern marketplace presents significant challenges for businesses. Supply chains are disrupted, inflation is rising, and customer expectations around service levels remain high. To survive under these conditions, companies must have a solid foundation in tech. That foundation must provide the capabilities and insights needed to assist the company in effectively managing these obstacles.

If your company produces multiple units of your products daily, you know the importance of manufacturing quality control. You'll see higher scrap rates if one part of your process is responsible for a product defect. If left uncorrected, your company's bottom line will suffer. Putting a quality control program in place is an effective way to resolve these kinds of issues.

What you need to know about manufacturing digital transformation to grow your business.

Manufacturers often fall behind other industries in embracing modern technology. This lag means missing out on potential cost savings, increased revenue, and greater profits. Manufacturing digital transformation can help manufacturers build their companies to meet modern challenges..

ERP software (Enterprise Resource Planning) has been around a long time, but technology and functionality have changed tremendously. That means companies must move to new, upgraded systems from time to time. However, businesses shouldn’t invest in new ERP software based on its functionality alone. There must be a financial benefit to the company to justify moving forward.

Gartner has recently released its annual Supply Chain Top 25 list and top performers include well-known companies like Bristol-Myers, General Mills, Johnson & Johnson, Nestle, and 3M. What do all of them have in common? All these companies were recognized as leaders in supply chain management. Gartner recognized them for best practices and emerging trends.

When faced with supply chain shortages and delays in getting raw materials and inventory, it’s easy to blame the problem on COVID-19. Over the past couple of years, the pandemic has been a handy scapegoat for all manner of business issues. Some people are blaming lean manufacturing for their supply chain issues. Is there any truth to this statement? Let’s examine it and find out.

Supply chains are at risk from several factors, including:

• A major cost-cutting drive to reduce costs by consolidating loads
• Less efficient shipping routes
• The United States-China trade dispute

Global supply chains continue to be at risk due to armed conflict and the resulting economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

Uncertainty is nothing new to the manufacturing industry. There are always outside forces exerting influence on the company. It doesn’t matter if the company is a start-up or is a large manufacturer which has been doing business for years. The only thing business owners and managers can do is respond to situations as they arise and increase their operational flexibility. Cloud manufacturing is a great strategy for staying nimble in an uncertain business environment.