How is digital technology changing manufacturing?

Manufacturing has long had the image of being a slightly older-fashioned, ‘hard’ industry where innovation hasn’t been applied in the same way as other sectors such as financial services, communications or customer service. However, digital technology is allowing manufacturing to evolve as surely as other cutting-edge industries.

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Manufacturing businesses in the electroless nickel plating sector are using a range of digital tools and technologies to make their operations more efficient, stimulate innovation and improve customer service and satisfaction. These tools include artificial intelligence and robotics, the IoT and cloud computing, all of which can be used to optimise processes, increase automation and free up human resources for creative, innovative work.

Key benefits of digital technology

The benefits of digital implementation across the electroless nickel plating sector and manufacturing industry tend to be:

– Better customer satisfaction.
– Faster new product development to boost innovation.
– Better sustainability through the reduction of waste and better use of resources.
– Improved efficiency and compliance, with less waste. Find out more at: https://www.poeton.co.uk/standard-treatments/electroless-nickel-plating.
– Increased profits, through higher sales, better products and reduced costs and waste.

Barriers to development

However, even with these powerful benefits on offer, many manufacturing firms are struggling with challenges and barriers that prevent them from going ‘all in’ when it comes to digital investment. These key barriers are:

– The cost of new tech implementation.
– The need to upskill workers.
– The requirement to have a reliable and secure infrastructure in place first.

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Businesses may also struggle with resistance amongst employees and other stakeholders, especially where change is on the horizon. But with everything to play for in terms of gaining and maintaining competitive advantage, smart manufacturers will continue to overcome these barriers and move forward on their digital journey to success.

Ongoing help to the sector will also be important and the government is being urged to find ways to encourage Britain’s manufacturing industry to overcome its digital challenges and to invest in the necessary tools, systems, training and infrastructure to remain competitive on a global level.

Thomas Taylor

Thomas Taylor

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