The conditions for digitizing have never been better to invest in making the transition. Besides decreasing costs for many of the digital tools, there are a number of reasons you need to digitize now.
Connected Intelligence
Digitization leads to connectivity. Connectivity leads to enhanced intelligence. With globally-connected factories, company leaders have vision into the entire operation like they’ve never had before. This vision includes better (and real-time) data on costs, resources, delays, etc. for better productivity and efficiencies.
Technology Integration Point
Technology has reached the integration point to facilitate digitization. Automation and robots take production out of human hands resulting in fewer errors. Sensors and software make data easier and cheaper to collect and analyze. This data helps companies keep their machines in better working order. Best of all, the prices on these tools are decreasing making them more accessible.
Skills and Data
Big data can now guide companies to make better decisions to make global improvements. Software will be the key selling point for the machines to show how they solve customers’ needs. People are the big barrier to getting productivity out of the technology. Your workers need coding skills to program the machines. Companies need to train current workers and hire for the skills they can’t train quickly.
Competition
Your competitors are making the move to digitization. By waiting, you risk falling behind instead of gaining advantages. That can cost you in potential customers, and in attracting new employees. Plus, intelligence continues to grow giving bigger advantages and a wider gap to those that digitize sooner.
Research shows that digital laggards will be greatly affected by the digital transformation in just a few years.1 But, those that make the transition are already seeing the benefits. Specifically, Lantek has helped their customers:
Characteristics of a Digitized Manufacturing Company
How do you know if your company is ready to digitize? Companies that have made the transition share common characteristics that make them more likely to be successful.2
These are traits that companies should strive to have:
You may not have all of the traits above. If that’s the case, make it part of your overall digital strategy to acquire and grow these characteristics.
The window is open wide for digital opportunities. Make the leap now before it closes and leaves you behind.
1 https://blogs.cisco.com/manufacturing/digital-mfg-transforming-business
2 http://www.industryweek.com/corporate-culture/common-characteristics-factory-future