We want stuff. We want it cheap. We want it now. So it’s small wonder the manufacturing sector has been enjoying growth for a number of years. This is partially due to the arrival of lean manufacturing and the technological quantum leap(s) of the past few decades. Still, there are challenges looming out there for manufacturers. What are they?
These are just a number of challenges facing the manufacturing industry. The list can be rounded off with factors beyond our control such as natural disasters, the weather, and political upheavals. Yet, there’s very little we can do about these. OK. We can predict, prep, and hope for the best. And that’s it. So, perhaps we’d rather focus on the low hanging fruit and start making changes at home. After all, it’s just a question of careful planning and seeing that plan through when it comes to introducing an ERP system, perhaps with the support of a third party. Then, once it’s up and running, choose a company that support you with your daily operations. While you focus on your core activities. Curious to learn more? See how we do it at Microsoft Dynamics AX / 365 FSCM Support.
Check also: Quality & Compliance in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for the valve manufacturing industry
Labor – someone’s got to do the dirty work
It seems a paradox that it is becoming more and more difficult to find the right person with the right skill set for manufacturing jobs. Some researchers predict that the number of vacancies is going to grow. This is surprising since, intuitively, you’d expect machines to be taking over. But no – humans are still in high demand. Skilled humans. Technology can help to a large extent – by doing a lot repetitive tasks – be it business process management or shopfloor work. But you still need to put a human in front. Exit CSR – enter sustainability Whatever you label it, people are simply more aware of the impact business have on … virtually everything. Yes, the rise of social media has empowered the likes of you and me. We all now have a say and we can easily vote with our wallets. This was clearly visible with the customer boycotts of brands deciding to stay in Russia.As transparent as can be
Consumers now expect 100% transparency on the progress of their product’s journey from production to their doorstep. Blockchain technology comes in handy to address this need as it offers more transparency to the customers. Product status can be tracked in real-time and any delays or other issues are visible as they happen. But tracking is just an example and a small detail. The right software can also help maintain 360-degree visibility in finances and supply chain management; for example, implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 FSCM, which is an end-to-end solution tailored to manufacturing organizations’ needs, can make a world of a difference.User friendliness or rather the lack of it
A staggering number of manufacturers are still using AS/400 – a great system in its heyday. But the business landscape has changed. A lot. There are many solutions available, including the one mentioned above – Microsoft Dynamics 365 FSCM. Yes, migrating from AS/400 is probably like landing on the moon. And organizations tend to fear change. But the transition is inevitable. A newer system provides cutting edge user experience. It facilitates remote work. The solution is flexible and can be customized and configured to cater for specific business needs.These are just a number of challenges facing the manufacturing industry. The list can be rounded off with factors beyond our control such as natural disasters, the weather, and political upheavals. Yet, there’s very little we can do about these. OK. We can predict, prep, and hope for the best. And that’s it. So, perhaps we’d rather focus on the low hanging fruit and start making changes at home. After all, it’s just a question of careful planning and seeing that plan through when it comes to introducing an ERP system, perhaps with the support of a third party. Then, once it’s up and running, choose a company that support you with your daily operations. While you focus on your core activities. Curious to learn more? See how we do it at Microsoft Dynamics AX / 365 FSCM Support.
Check also: Quality & Compliance in Microsoft Dynamics 365 for the valve manufacturing industry
Paweł Bączkowski 
