How manufacturers are preparing for the future through Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is changing the future of manufacturing by emphasising visibility over their supply chain and better data analysis for improved decision-making.

As manufacturers emerge from the pandemic—as well as dealing with the consequences—many still face lingering challenges in the form of distribution availability, operational efficiency, and inability to collect and analyse data.

In a recent report commissioned by Microsoft, Building A More Resilient Future For Manufacturers Through Digital Transformation, Forrester Consulting surveyed over 600 manufacturing supply chain, distribution, and operations decision-makers from companies across North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific (APAC). In this blog, we highlight the major findings of the report.

The report found that the more proactive business leaders are not simply content to respond to the challenges of today but also are preparing to be more resilient in order to manage disruptions to their business in the future. These businesses are implementing digital transformation emphasizing greater visibility over their supply chain, better data analysis for improved decision-making, improving the end-to-end customer journey, and addressing potential distribution issues. These data-driven initiatives will ultimately lead to improvements in operations, systems, and process. And roughly one third of these manufacturers expect to reduce their environmental impact as they transform.

Topping the list, nearly one third of the survey respondents expressed challenges with visibility over their inventory, material, work-in-progress, and finished goods inventory. And another third noted trouble effectively analysing available data for better business decisions. The respondents identified their major objectives for digital transformation include implementing technology to address internal productivity, aggregate and mine data more effectively, and improve all phases of the customer journey, from presale through post sale and support.

Addressing the customer journey, a significant number of respondents cite the problem of too much data and the inability to analyse it effectively. Data collection through edge devices and effective use of artificial intelligence to drive decision-making is also a priority. Manufacturers are changing the way they engage with customers, particularly with a move toward more subscription and consumption models. And almost half are adjusting their distribution channels to meet the changing needs of their customers.

To learn more about how to future-proof your company through digital transformation, download the entire report from Forrester, Building A More Resilient Future For Manufacturers Through Digital Transformation.

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