Despite the boom in technology around the turn of the century, many aspects of manufacturing still remained unaddressed. The general belief was that production and handling machinery in particular cannot be done without human intervention. The closest manufacturing machinery that has come to digitization for a large part of the 21st century is having a screen on them.
The concepts of digital transformation for manufacturing like connecting your machinery to a network are still fresh in most parts of the world. To be fair to the apprehensions, the network strength and connectivity have only gotten better over the years. A report suggests that currently the cloud computing business for IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS combined is around $484bn which is expected to grow at a 14% rate this decade.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing uses a network of connections to store, exchange and execute commands and data for businesses on a uniform platform. Instead of using the conventional method of using multiple layers and types of communication, cloud computing uses a single platform to perform various different tasks involved in all kinds of businesses.
For years, this technology was limited to exchanging data and instant communication. But with the connectivity now stronger than it ever was, all appliances, machinery and devices are now connected to these cloud networks and are enabled with smart programming to be operated from a remote command.
Best Features of Cloud Computing
We are still in an evolving stage when it comes to cloud computing. The network infrastructure, connectivity and the programs that power them are ever evolving. With the help of artificial intelligence and machine learning, a lot of complex processes in manufacturing are now made very simple and effective.
Here are some of the key benefits of using cloud computing.
Accuracy
Computer programs have a laser sharp accuracy and no room for any error. This enhances the reliability of your production and improves the end product. There is a profound consistency in the results that we see from tasks executed through cloud computing. This eventually makes a uniform product delivery.
Cost Effective
Many routine mundane tasks can be performed over a cloud without human intervention. Tasks like cold communication, auto assignment, report generation, data synchronization, personnel authentication, etc are done with the help of cloud computing. This, apart from being effective and fast, saves a lot of human resource and other kinds of resources. That eventually cuts down your operational costs drastically.
Low Maintenance
There are many operational challenges in an unorganized manufacturing setup. By taking the operations on a cloud network, you can make your production uncluttered. Your service providers will take care of the network infrastructure and how the operations are executed. All you need to do is to make commands through a user interface. This eliminates many operational maintenance costs.
Faster Executions
By making an uncluttered production line, you can communicate faster and assign as well as execute tasks in a more efficient way. This way you can avoid any delays or lags in cross-functional tasks. Many automated tasks are instantly followed. Things like data synchronization and report generation, which used to take hours, can now be done in minutes. All of this overall makes your executions faster.
Data-Driven
Since you can avail intelligent reports almost instantly with the help of cloud computing, most of your decisions are data driven. The instant availability of data in a synchronous form helps you determine key performance indicators (KPIs) and prioritize your processes. The data shows you precisely where you need to work more and what (or who) needs more attention.
Integration
Since all the data and operations are executed over a cloud network, all your team members can connect to it and access the reports. You can assign custom accesses to your team members and regardless of their geographical location or the department they work in, they can all be integrated into a central system. This integration improves your decision making. It also helps your team members to exchange vital feedback and data to work.
Workforce Transformation
By automating your processes, you transform the way you and your teams work. Smart and fast means of communication, responsive user interface that works on all devices, and resources that are available for everyone to leverage improve the efficiency of people throughout the organization. Enhanced new age digital means of work transform your business.
Customer Engagement
The whole system of operations is very transparent in cloud computing. It helps you keep updated about the processes in real time and avail the same information to your customers as well. Your customers too can track the progress in real time and check where the product manufacturing or delivery stands. Your support team can also avail the same data and help your customers with their queries with accurate information in no time.
How Cloud Computing Helps Manufacturing Industry
Keeping pace with the customer needs, understanding market trends and improving the end products can sometimes become challenging if you are stuck in the operational cycles. To improve and transform your manufacturing processes, you need a manufacturing cloud Computing partnership.
Here is how this partnership can help.
Agile Factories
The concepts of IoT (Internet of Things) have helped digital transformation for manufacturing. It helps manufacturers to understand continuous asset discovery, vulnerability management, and threat detection. All of this is done through a uniform user interface on a device. You have a plethora of data that helps you determine your abilities and to make information driven decisions.
It is very essential for manufacturers to convert their unorganized facilities into smart factories. Gone are those days when you needed human resources to operate basic line production. Most machines these days are connected to a system and most user commands are made through a few taps on a device’s screen. Agile manufacturing methods help you with the following.
Improved operational visibility | Asset productivity | Product uniformity
Resilient Supply Chain
The deadlocks of supply chain management are pretty much eliminated through resilient Microsoft Azure manufacturing services. It helps you improve the end-to-end visibility, agility and saves you a lot of money that adds to your profits. Having a bird’s eye view on all aspects of the supply chain on a single module helps you make intelligent freight planning, sensing the demands and improve the traceability of your supplies.
You can connect your internal teams with the supply chain partners for a smoother transition of goods. This helps you optimize your delivery schedules and plans. Moreover, you can also share this information with your customers in real time to enlighten them about the progress.
Manufacturing Innovation
By minimizing the resources, you can move towards sustainable manufacturing. Connect your products to a cloud computing program and understand the usage, user concerns and other critical troubleshooting logs. Create product twins to resolve customer concerns remotely within no time.
Remove unwanted layers in your manufacturing. Assign mundane and monotonous tasks to a system that has better efficiency and faster execution. Make data driven decisions and let the system prioritize your processes. These aspects innovate your manufacturing practices altogether.
Automation
Use the power of automation to manufacturing faster. Use smart AI programs to assign and delegate tasks. Mundane bookkeeping tasks, paperwork, and data synchronization can be done in a matter of minutes with the help of automation over the cloud.
Microsoft for manufacturing has produced some really innovative solutions that automate most of your tasks. A byproduct of this automation is a progress track record and analytical data. This data acts as a performance indicator.
Remote Operations
At times manufacturing facilities have to compromise on the quality of human resources they are served with due to geographical limitations. Microsoft Azure Manufacturing solutions offer great possibilities for people all around the world to collaborate and work on a remote basis.
All team members are equipped with the same resources. You can authenticate individuals based on the roles they are assigned, and they can access parts of your manufacturing facilities remotely. This helps you hire the right people without having to worry about geographical challenges.
Another great aspect of using products of established enterprise solution providers like Microsoft is that you have a range of service partners to choose from. All of Microsoft’s leading solutions can be customized and optimized by Microsoft partners based on your manufacturing setup. You get training and maintenance as well with these associate partners.
Get In Touch With Our Technical and Industy Experts
Make the Move Now!
The platform is set for your business to transform. In a world led by technology, anything that is not connected has no place. Businesses are transforming and you cannot miss out on the bandwagon. Align with the right Microsoft partners like AIMDek who apart from knowing the services also have an experienced team that will only be a call away in case of a query.
It is only when you consult the experts that you realize the number of resources you are wasting, the extent of underutilization of your potential, and the universe of possibilities that await you. Don’t delay your transformation. Make the move now!
