Apr 27, 2023

When it comes to modernization, most solution providers won’t hesitate to bring up automation regardless of what industry they are serving. From pharmaceutical production to food distribution to e-commerce fulfillment, automated solutions have revolutionized the way companies exchange data. Recent studies conducted at Deloitte have named automated technologies as the number one growth trend in the manufacturing industry. Demand for automated systems is often connected to:

• Persistent labor shortages – With fewer people on the production floor, it is difficult to meet product demands without overwhelming employees and further contributing to turnover rates.
• SKU Proliferation – More distribution centers have reported moving various yet similar types of stock-keeping-units (SKUs). Automated data capture and sharing reduce potential risks from processing similar products.
• New Requirements and Standards – New compliance standards such as the  RFID mandate and the Drug Supply Chain Security Act have placed stricter expectations on manufacturers to prove proper composition and storage. Failure to do so may halt productivity and result in heavy fines and missed sales.

Automated solutions empower manufacturers of all sizes with agility and visibility into their crucial workflows. It is estimated that 9 out of 10 midsized manufacturers are optimistic about their company’s outlook, and most of that optimism is tied to a business’ ability to quickly accommodate change without compromising quality.

So What’s Being Automated in the Factory?

1. Traceability – Backwards and forward tracking reduces the stress from your auditing process while preventing costly recalls from damaging your brand and harming consumers. Barcode scanning connected to a central database allows teams to track product storage, handling, and safety precautions. Instead of verifying codes by hand, barcodes are scanned to update inventory status, freeing up teams to focus on other more important tasks.
2. Work-in-Progress Updates – Bulk shipments may take longer to complete, which is why Work-in-Progress orders are essential to provide supply chains with an accurate estimate for delivery times. Real-time locationing systems provide immediate visibility on assembly status without requiring team members to spend extra time updating manual reports.
3. Quality Checks – Manufacturing workflows can have many quality checkpoints throughout the assembly process to verify the correct steps were completed. Enterprise mobile computers and tablets combine data capture and workflow tracking on one touchscreen interface, eliminating the need for multiple touchpoints. More robust systems integrate RFID readers to track product motion and compare saved input with new environment data.
4. Asset Management – Lastly, about 60% of manufacturing businesses leverage data analytics within their facilities. Although data can provide key insights into purchase patterns and raw material storage, digitized reports also help network optimization and monitor assets, alerting teams of failing devices and misplaced technologies. By maximizing asset visibility through a digital interface, manufacturing plants can decrease operational and repair costs.

Automation is a promising road to enterprise efficiency, yet it’s not the only one. As manufacturing facilities adapt to embrace new supply chain challenges, many businesses are prepping locations to hold and track more finished goods. While we are eager to discover how facilities accommodate larger inventories, feel free to meet with our modernization team to see how you can implement automation in your daily workflows.