From Blueprint to Reality: Navigating Transformation Successfully
While industrial transformation is being shaped by technologies such as IoT, Industrial 5G networks, digital twins, generative AI, and connected products, these technologies must be applied to address the strategic needs of the organization. We have been monitoring these technologies closely, building accelerators and IP that help manufacturers fast-track their way to the business benefits that can be achieved with their adoption.
The above factors were the cornerstones of our presence at Hannover Messe this year, where we presented the four key levers that are essential for every manufacturing business to transform successfully in their new world order. Based on our work with manufacturing clients across the globe, we have realized an acute need to bridge the gap between strategic planning, or the blueprint informing transformations, and its execution, which determines the reality or the results of the initiative.
In line with this vision, Birlasoft presented its solution offerings and expertise across the following four transformative priorities that manufacturers are pursuing today, and cannot do without.
Connected enterprise
The connected enterprise unifies all levels of operations by integrating systems and data across the organization. In the connected enterprise, information flows seamlessly from business management to the shop floor, setting the foundations for precise execution.
This integration also brings transparency across the enterprise, making every crucial detail visible to the decision-makers. This includes waste, carbon emissions, material footprint, and process inefficiencies, all of which present opportunities for advancing sustainability outcomes.
In other words, the connected enterprise builds a synergy between divergent strategic objectives such as cost efficiency, sustainability, and process improvements. This enables businesses to tap into the advantages of a unified and efficient ecosystem.
Smart manufacturing
Smart manufacturing brings adaptability and responsiveness that is crucial to thrive amidst uncertainty and volatility. It leverages technologies such as IoT, robotics, and AI and ML to automate the shop floor and build remote visibility and control for production processes.
Smart manufacturing employs Industrial IoT networks which are orchestrated by applications and controls deployed on the edge, and fast 5G networks. These systems serve the crucial function of reducing downtime, optimizing operations, and maximizing resource utilization.
Smart manufacturing helps manufacturers prevent overproduction or out-of-stock scenarios, eliminating these inventory issues at the level of production. Moreover, smart manufacturing maximizes asset lifespan and health span and prevents the wastage of both human and material resources.
Resilient core
At the core of the manufacturing enterprise are mission-critical systems like Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). These systems drive critical processes across the entire span of operations from supply chain management to customer service.
Bolstering the functional capabilities of these core systems and building process continuity across functions drives synergetic outcomes. Transforming these core systems can breathe fresh life into the manufacturing organization. A resilient core makes it easier to comply with market regulations, optimize the product life cycle, and build and deliver customer-centric products – all of which are crucial to compete successfully in today’s markets.
Adaptive infrastructure
In a manufacturing landscape where change is constant, the digital enterprise must be based on a flexible infrastructure. In other words, manufacturers need bidirectional scalability of the underlying IT infrastructure.
This is exactly what cloud computing and SaaS solutions offer to manufacturing organizations. Moreover, this flexibility is extending to edge computing solutions, bringing flexibility across the entire technology stack.
Adaptive infrastructure eliminates resource wastage and keeps manufacturers running on the latest technology capabilities. This makes it easier to exploit advanced solutions like digital twins and advanced analytics use cases to raise the competitiveness of manufacturing operations.
What’s Next?
As the manufacturing industry grapples with the challenges of the new world, Birlasoft is committed to helping manufacturers utilize technological levers that turn these challenges into opportunities. To make that happen, transformations must address the critical gap underpinning strategic vision and execution.
