Manufacturers organise processes for successful digital transformation

Streamlined processes ensure readiness for digital adoption.

Digital manufacturing is now essential for manufacturers, yet more than 60% of digital transformation initiatives fail due to disorganised processes, according to industry insights. To successfully navigate this transition, companies must focus on organising their processes before adopting digital technologies.

Rahul Sharma, Vice President & Global Head of Digital Transformation and Sustainability Practice at Frost & Sullivan, emphasised the importance of digital manufacturing for providing "end to end and gate to gate visibility of their processes within the organisation." This visibility extends to the market, allowing manufacturers to better align their operations with market demands.

According to Sharma, the key is to assess whether processes are organised. He noted that a common mistake is to "jump on it a bit too early," implementing digital solutions without first ensuring that the manufacturing processes are properly structured. This premature adoption can lead to inefficiencies, as disorganised processes can undermine the potential advantages of digital technologies.

Sharma advocates for business process reengineering as a crucial step before embarking on digital transformation. By aligning and organising processes, manufacturers can avoid the pitfall of digitising waste, which occurs when companies apply digital solutions to inefficient processes.

The best methodology for adopting digital transformation, according to Sharma, involved a structured approach where companies first focus on getting organised. "One of the things that I usually say to the clients, first get organised and then go for digital transformation," he stated. This approach ensures that when digital solutions are implemented, they enhance productivity rather than exacerbate existing inefficiencies.

Digital solutions, as Sharma highlighted, are tools designed to improve "quality, cost and delivery" in manufacturing. Therefore, it's imperative that companies view digital transformation as a means to streamline operations and enhance overall efficiency. The success of digital initiatives hinges on the ability to integrate these solutions into well-organised processes.