The manufacturing industry is under increasing pressure to operate more efficiently, flexibly and competitively. Digitalisation plays an important role in this, but many companies struggle with how best to tackle this transformation. Where to start? How to move forward? We're here to help find a path towards digital maturity.
Digital maturity determines how well an organisation uses technology and data to operate more efficiently, flexibly and competitively. Manufacturing companies that invest in this method strengthen their competitive position and build a future-proof organisation. An important part of this transition is the digital thread, which links Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. This integrated information flow ensures that all departments always have access to real-time and accurate product information. This leads to better collaboration, more effective decision-making and higher levels of process control.
To strengthen the digital thread, the value of data is leveraged: smart applications and integrated solutions are essential. Smart applications, like IoT devices and low-code applications such as Mendix, collect and analyse data in real-time, allowing companies to respond to changes immediately and prevent problems before they escalate. In addition, they allow users to engage with systems or with the organisation. Integrated systems allow PLM and ERP platforms to communicate and exchange data effortlessly, resulting in more efficient and streamlined operations. AI and data-driven insights play a crucial role here. By analysing large amounts of data, machine learning algorithms can recognise patterns and trends that would otherwise remain hidden. This helps companies make better-informed decisions, optimise processes and continuously improve product quality.
Figure 1 Emixa's Digital Thread
Despite the growing need for digitalisation, many manufacturing companies face challenges in successfully implementing it. The transition to a more automated and data-driven way of working is often slower than desired because companies encounter various obstacles.
To gain insight into the digital maturity of your production environment, we conduct a Digital Maturity Assessment in your supply chain. This scan is specially designed to identify the biggest challenges within your production environment and implement targeted improvements. The method combines in-depth business insights with more than 30 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, giving your organisation not only theoretical models but also concrete, practice-oriented advice.
The Digital Maturity Assessment offers a holistic approach to analyse and optimise your production processes. Instead of focusing exclusively on the shop floor, this scan also maps the processes that directly or indirectly influence it. Think of goods receipt, assembly, inventory management, planning, quality control, purchasing and logistics. This broad focus creates a complete picture of your production environment and provides strategic insight into opportunities for improvement. The aim is not only to improve individual processes, but also to optimise the cohesion between departments. Inefficiencies and bottlenecks that normally remain under the radar are identified, allowing your organisation to take targeted steps towards smarter and more effective working methods.
Want to gain insight into your organisation's digital maturity? With the Digital Maturity Assessment, you will discover where the biggest opportunities lie and how you can digitise strategically. Take the next step towards a more efficient and data-driven operation today. Contact Emixa and start your digital transformation.
Want to learn more about Operational Excellence in Manufacturing? We’re here for you.
Reach out to Vincent Verheul, Robert te Vaarwerk or Feike de Groot.