George Harb, Regional Vice President APAC – Business Ecosystems

During the pandemic, many industries quickly realised they weren’t as prepared for digitalisation as they thought. The manufacturing industry was no exception; the rapid shift to remote work was a challenge as the necessary digital infrastructure was not in place for many organisations. This impacted the workforce significantly by limiting information access.

The manufacturing industry was already facing a challenging business environment with increased supply chain complexities and expanding regulation. COVID added new challenges to the mix forcing organisations to adapt to the ever-changing circumstances.

The organisations that had sufficient infrastructure in place were able to easily transition to remote work. Advanced technologies allow for a more agile workforce however, they can only succeed when there is a proper foundation, which is an effective information management (IM) solution.

Investing in an IM platform allows manufacturing organisations to be agile and pivot at a moment’s notice. This is because key stakeholders can access critical information regardless of where they are located. Organisations that fail to implement an IM strategy will fall behind competitors, given the business lacks agility and the ability to react to changing market conditions.

So, how can an effective IM strategy help manufacturing organisations gain full value from the transformative technologies available today?

The value of accessible data

The manufacturing industry produces an astonishing level of data and the number of data collection tools is continuing to grow. For example, IDC estimated that connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices will generate 70 zetabytes of data by 2025. This increases visibility, control and efficiency, however these benefits are only achieved when useable data is created.

When IoT is combined with data from other technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, a real transformation can take place as there is greater collection of data from a range of sources; multiple sources create a more accurate picture. Comprehensive IM allows teams to access data easily and draw insights from it while maintaining information governance and meeting compliance policies.

Cloud is a central element to digital transformation

Cloud is fast becoming the platform of choice for manufacturing organisations with the shift to remote work. Research by OpenText found 70 per cent of organisations across multiple manufacturing sectors are leveraging cloud-based, business-to-business networks in their operations. It is the preferred platform because it allows access to critical information on- or off-site which offers huge benefits in productivity as employees will always have access to all the information they need. It also brings agility, cost savings and a competitive edge.

Information management provides the foundation for AI and machine learning

AI is transforming the way information is created and managed by manufacturers. AI and machine learning act as the brain that can process information in high volumes, allowing for reviews in real-time and enhanced automated processes. IM provides the foundation for the applications of AI and machine learning. It connects information, integrates the data and prepares it for inclusion in AI analytics solutions.

Supply disruptions set to continue

The constant disruptions of Covid -19 have significantly impacted supply chains across the globe, and it won’t return to normal overnight. Deloitte claims the pandemic will have reverberations across the industry and impact supply, demand, liquidity and work for years to come.

There are three key capabilities to create an adaptive supply chain, these include:

• Ability to respond rapidly as and when changes in demand occur
• Development and activation of a strategy that can shift to suit key market needs including labour and rates
• Creation of a “what if” strategy to ensure resiliency with unforeseen disruptions

Information management is key to successful digital transformation

Cloud based IM opens up access and useability of critical data to teams regardless of location. Access to data in real-time will allow organisations to adapt strategies rapidly providing them with greater ability to predict changes in the market.

IM offers a wholesome perspective to the manufacturing industry by ensuring data is collectable, assessable and easy to pull insights from. Quality data will better inform the manufacturing digital revolution.