Digital transformation is reshaping every sector, including manufacturing; how can solutions like Dynamics 365 assist manufacturers in capitalizing on this contemporary era of innovation?
New processes and technologies are constantly being introduced, and businesses are under pressure to maintain high productivity across their supply chains amid a shifting industrial landscape.
Transforming operations and enhancing efficiency is a major focus for many manufacturing organizations, but if manufacturers are to construct an organization that can withstand such industrial transformation, they must start with a solid business management system. This is where an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) application like Microsoft Dynamics 365 might come in handy.
Main issues that need manufacturers’ attention are as follows:
1: Lack of Skilled Labor
According to recent assessments, there will be over 2 million unfilled manufacturing positions by 2025. Manufacturers are finding it more difficult to locate trained workers for a variety of activities.
Technology and automation, however fortunately, may bring relief, sometimes at a reduced cost. Technology assists in automating all little administrative activities and in recognizing and assigning these resources to the locations where they are most needed, allowing manufacturers to use their present resources efficiently and at maximum capacity.
2: Customer self-service apps
In the age of digitization, where everything can be done with a tap on a cell phone, customers find it inconvenient to pick up the phone and call the manufacturer to get the information required.
Manufacturers can give clients a method to register queries, search for a solution, or obtain a progress update on their request when customer/partner portals are linked to a single application, such as Microsoft Dynamics 365.
3: Machine Intelligence
The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) not only allows manufacturers to better coordinate their equipment and processes, but it also generates massive volumes of data. How firms maneuver such data is critical to their success in the new industrial age.
Centralizing your company data will help you get a better image of your organization’s health. Combining this consolidated intelligence with the built-in AI capabilities of Dynamics 365 enables manufacturers to draw actionable insights from their data, make predictions based on prior actions and occurrences, and go from being reactive to being one step ahead.
With this level of reach, merchants have an abundance of opportunities to collect information about their client segments and provide the best possible customer experience. It is, however, worthless to have access to this knowledge if you cannot use it. This necessitates the installation of appropriate systems. Since Dynamics 365 integrates traditional CRM capabilities with Azure, the company can collect and analyze real-time data to respond to consumer demand; use preference details to up-sell; and provide automated discounts to frequent buyers. It will even provide customers with customized birthday promotions. While the above statement utilizes the retail business as an example, it is easily replicable in the manufacturing industry, with updates to customers on the status of their cargo and other items.
4: Sustainable environment
With the rise of the internet and social media, people’s awareness of social concerns has grown. Customers are becoming increasingly conscious of the environmental consequences of their behavior. As a result, manufacturers are under increased pressure to ensure more sustainable and ethical production. The days of a client buying whatever is produced without considering the consequences of that creation are long gone.
As a result, adopting more sustainable practices, such as going paperless and sending receipts and invoices through email, using paper packaging or bio-gradable packing as well as implementing manufacturing techniques that consider sustainability and the environment, would go a long way toward achieving this goal. Many of the industries are working towards reducing their carbon footprint and the same should be done by the manufacturing sector.
5: System Usability
Internal system users are no different from customers who prefer self-service applications versus calling. Internal users demand updated technology that helps them perform better on the job. Updated systems often give increased insight, flexibility, and speed, allowing staff to use the applications more effectively and efficiently. This enables employees to utilize the system as a tool to fulfill their tasks rather than as a hindrance.
However, the current AS/400 systems, which many in the industrial industry continue to use, are incapable of providing the user experience that today’s workers want.
There are several options accessible to manufacturing companies wanting to give a better customer experience. Microsoft Dynamics 365 (field service, customer service, project service) and Field Service Mobile solutions, for example, offer an updated user interface experience, superior flexibility based on business procedures in several business units, and allow users to work remotely — including offline capabilities on laptops and smart devices.
6: Tracking of shipments
With so many entities engaged in a supply chain, it can be difficult to have a full, real-time picture of activities from beginning to end. When attempting to enhance supply chain procedures, data from sales, suppliers, order fulfillment, product performance, and customer service must all be considered.
The advantages of using intelligent technology to manage supply chain activities are numerous. Manufacturers may better respond to changes and advances by merging their company data, supply chain data, and public data such as maps and weather predictions in a system infused with artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Implementing a comprehensive system that serves as a “single source of truth” can aid in the creation of more accurate schedules, predictions, and budgets, resulting in a more efficient firm.
A cloud-based, mobile-enabled system like Dynamics 365 provides the relevant individuals with fast access to real-time analytics wherever they are, allowing issues to be handled before they have a substantial impact on the company.
7: Customization
Technology has enabled businesses to engage and interact with their customers—and vice versa—in novel ways in recent years. As a result, customer expectations have grown, and businesses must be able to satisfy those expectations by providing exceptional service, keeping consumers informed, and dealing with any difficulties in a timely and decisive manner.
Having all of your company and customer data in a single system allows your customer service employees to rapidly discover the correct information and answer concerns about order status or delivery.
By fixing problems before they affect your consumers, you can solidify your expertise and establish loyalty and trust throughout the production process.
The consolidated, intelligent platform of Dynamics 365 enables manufacturers to respond and adjust to different at any point in the cycle. Users may send rush orders from the first sales order, update or amend orders all through the production process, use multi-level production orders to streamline make or purchase choices, and conduct “what-if” scenarios to better plan for and forecast the impacts of changes.
Predicting client wants and offering answers before they even realize there is a problem is the key to elevating your customer experience strategy from good to outstanding.
8: Scheduling
Finding the correct tools to assist production processes is a major problem for manufacturing businesses. Manufacturers are under pressure to satisfy increasing orders as technology advances.
Manufacturers, on the other hand, can invest in scheduling software to alleviate manufacturing issues with an easy-to-use graphical dashboard and reporting tools. By using software that incorporates resource scheduling, manufacturers can swiftly change the plan and discover available resources to accomplish the work in time to meet the projected dates.
Conclusion
If you are a manufacturer considering using Dynamics 365, don’t hesitate. Contact us right away at sales@dynatechconsultancy.com, and you’ll be well on your path to development and success!
DynaTech Systems is a Microsoft Gold-Certified Partner with vast expertise helping customers improve business outcomes. We deploy end-to-end solutions incorporating the continuing convergence of ERP, Analytics, Azure Cloud, AI, and IoT. We are experts in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 product line. Request a free consultation right now!
