This is the “smart manufacturing” transformation and it impacts every part of a manufacturer’s business — from the actual manufacturing itself to warehousing, inventory, quality, maintenance, environmental impacts, and health and safety concerns.

Not surprisingly, this transformation is taking place in new “smart factories.” Specifically, the smart factory is:

• Connected: There is electronic connectivity between departments, suppliers, and customers.
• Optimized: Processes are highly automated with minimal human involvement.
• Transparent: There is visible data capture for analyzing customer orders, production schedules, and other metrics.
• Proactive: There is a predictive capacity for ordering inventory and materials.
• Agile: There is a flexible approach to production, testing, and accuracy.

This transformation is a key part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). A quick recap: The first industrial revolution involved the emergence of mechanization from water and steam power. The second was based on mass production assembly lines driven by electricity. The third was computer- and automation-driven. The 4IR, however, is using artificial intelligence (AI) to automate the production process, provide full visibility into the value chain, and offer greater alignment with customer demand.

The starting point: automation and artificial intelligence

Smart manufacturing starts with automation: turning manual functions into automated tasks.

Automation has been around for a while as manufacturers worked hard to control costs, drive efficiencies and ensure accuracies. Take a tour of any modern manufacturing plant and you’ll undoubtedly see robots doing many of the tasks where assembly line workers once stood.

AI takes automation to the next level by connecting operations and integrating data from across the entire value chain. It uses a constant stream of data from system-wide physical, operational and human assets to learn and adapt to new demands. AI could make it possible for manufacturing machines to understand far more complex processes than those they currently execute.

At the Siemens electronics manufacturing plant in Amberg, Germany, computers autonomously handle as much as 75 percent of the value chain. The parts and machines communicate through a product code which specifies the production requirements.

Meanwhile, retail giant Amazon paid $775 million in 2012 to acquire a leading robotics company. The company is now building computer-driven machine-learning systems to drive efficiencies in its distribution centers.

The growth potential in this area is significant. McKinsey research found that manufacturing is second only to the food services industry for its automation potential. Allied Market Research reports that the global market for industrial robots will reach $41 billion by 2020.

Broader and deeper: strengthening visibility across the value chain

Smart manufacturing significantly improves a company’s visibility into its process, network and value chain. It creates an environment where all available information — from the plant floor through the full supply chain — is captured in real time and made actionable through detailed insights.

In a unique example of the Internet of Things (IoT), manufacturers can give each of their physical assets a digital identity. This enables them to know the exact location and condition of assets in real time throughout the production process.

A 2015 report published in Industry Week said: “Batch-level visibility is being replaced by unit-level visibility.” The IoT takes management vision beyond high-level production metrics. Instead, C-suite executives and plant managers can now drill down to the individual units to assess accuracy, precision, and customization.

Greater analytics: leveraging big data for strategic insights

This broader and deeper visibility, along with specific connections from the entire value chain, provides a comprehensive dataset for analyzing performance.

It’s the next step in the big data revolution that is affecting every industry. It is predicted that by 2020, there will be 50 times more digital content than what exists today.

By combining the value chain data with data from other sources — such as databases, social media, websites, digital communications, accounting software, and CRM software — manufacturing companies can use more sophisticated analytics to drive their competitive strategies.

Greater alignment with customers

The smart manufacturing transformation uses advanced technology to meet objectives that stem from a customer-centered model. Companies must respond to increasing customer demand for speed, precision, and a positive customer experience.

There are plenty of ways in which a manufacturer can leverage technology to benefit their customers. Just consider these possibilities:

• Sales reps at customer sites can use their tablets to check customers’ orders or anticipate re-orders
• Plant managers can view real-time production data from their offices and ensure that production is on track
• Executives can accurately predict future demand, allowing them to order supplies and hire staff accordingly

The digitized manufacturing environment closely aligns with the customer desire for fast, responsive, personalized service.

Embracing the smart manufacturing transformation with CRM software

A great customer relationship management (CRM) solution should be part of every manufacturer’s digital toolkit.

A CRM acts as a centralized resource for customer data, allowing your team to provide excellent service to every customer. Meanwhile, the best manufacturing CRMs will also offer the ability to automate key tasks and integrate with key tools. This creates a streamlined work experience for your entire team, from the C-suite to the plant floor.

To boost efficiency and automate your workflows, consider integrating with Method CRM. See how Method helped a shipping container company’s revenue double in just three years below.

With the right tools on hand, manufacturing businesses will be ready to embrace the smart transformation of the 21st century.

Ready to get started with workflow automation? Try Method free for 14 days.

Image credit: Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels

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Look at any large-scale construction project today and you’ll see that cloud technology is quickly becoming an essential part of the industry’s work.

It makes sense that an industry with multiple worksites would leap at the chance to digitize its paper-based workflows. However, some of the ways builders are using the cloud may surprise you.

The rise of cloud technology in construction

The Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles and always-on mobile internet connections are rapidly growing in popularity. Consequently, on-premise solutions for storing and deploying data and applications are no longer practical options for construction companies.

From invoicing software to mobile CRM software for managing jobs and clients, cloud-based solutions can streamline and simplify countless daily tasks. For instance, cloud software can help construction firms by:

• Monitoring and automating maintenance and work schedules
• Tracking equipment and resources to optimize logistics and prevent losses
• Monitoring and assessing individual projects through Building Information Modelling
• Tracking and optimizing work on-site using sensors that monitor downtime
• Using predictive analytics to optimize workflows and predict problems before they arise
• Monitoring staff performance and detecting health and safety issues early on

There’s no doubt that new technology solutions will continue to emerge in the coming years.

Key benefits of cloud technology

Cloud technology has the potential to impact every part of a construction company’s work. Here are some of the key benefits that it offers.

Enjoy greater mobility

Reliable, grounded internet has not yet reached every place in which construction occurs. Just consider the large infrastructure projects in resource sectors like mining or forestry, or large transportation projects like highways or ports. The locations of these projects are often highly remote. Yet when you combine with the arrival of 5G mobile connectivity with the move towards blockchain-based cloud solutions, teams can use data and resource-heavy applications and services virtually anywhere.

Digitize your workflow

For many years, construction companies relied on traditional paper-based workflows for their inherent quality assurance, security, and reliable record keeping. However, the cloud is now more than capable of meeting and surpassing these expectations. This creates opportunities for workflows to be partially or completely digitized, thus eliminating the need to haul files and documents from site to site.

Instantaneous, paper-free communication between the head office, site offices, managers, individual contractors, and partner companies now enables instant updates for all parties involved. For example:

• Individual contractors can track their work by location, hour and day
• Shipments of materials can be located at a moment’s notice and sent to where they’re needed
• Billing can be near-instantaneous through the use of invoicing software that syncs with your accounting software
• Important customer and project data can be made available to all team members immediately, no matter where in the world the build site or head office is located

Overall, the connectivity offered by cloud technology creates a thorough and highly accessible digital “paper trail.”

Drive automation and big data

Automation is a huge part of the digital transformation landscape, with machine learning playing an enormous role in optimizing workflows and predicting problems before they occur. Once they’re based in the cloud, many construction workflows can be automated or at least semi-automated. Tasks like ordering equipment, fuel and other materials to a worksite can be handled digitally, which reduces downtime caused by inefficient logistics planning.

At the same time, big data is becoming more important in every industry. The cloud provides the scalable and flexible storage and networking infrastructure needed for the effective use of big data.

Exceed client expectations

Without the cloud, coordinated account and client management become nearly impossible for an industry with multiple worksites. By making the most of cloud apps and their ability to host services and data online, construction firms can make sure they’re always prepared to meet their clients’ expectations.

Cloud CRM software: an essential tool for modern construction companies

Construction projects are often lengthy endeavors. As such, firms must carefully manage their relationships with prospects and clients over long periods of time. It’s essential that they have a reliable system to keep track of contact information, communication history, and special requests.

Many companies are becoming more digitally sophisticated by adopting client relationship management (CRM) software. These cloud-based systems give managers, sales reps, and marketers quick access to essential client data whenever they need it. In general, a construction company can use their CRM to:

• Track the various contacts associated with each prospect and client
• Maintain detailed records of interactions
• Provide useful insights into the success of their sales and marketing strategies
• Enable team collaboration across multiple worksites — and much more.

Furthermore, an effective CRM for construction will go beyond relationship management by offering some of the benefits described above, like workflow management and task automation.

The benefits of cloud technology in the construction industry are clear. For companies that are looking for a competitive edge, now is the time to invest in solutions that can enhance your current processes and adapt to your future needs.

The post Leveraging Cloud Technology in the Construction Industry appeared first on Method.

There was a major transformation in the dot-com era as companies developed their digital presence. This included their website, e-commerce functions, databases, and digital tools for collaboration and communication.

The next phase will focus on the development of mobile connectivity. Mobile usage and industry growth are already occurring at a rapid pace. Consider the following:

• Statista reports that 69 percent of the Canadian population had a smartphone in 2018. This number is projected to rise to 79 percent in 2023.
• The number of mobile users across the globe is now estimated at over 3.7 billion and growing. Statista says mobile data traffic across the globe is projected to increase nearly sevenfold by 2021.
• Mobile commerce revenues were $669 billion in 2018, a significant jump from the $184 billion recorded in 2013.

As you can see, the future potential of mobile technology is enormous. The Internet of Things (IoT), for example, is set to drive connectivity even further as it gathers data from mobile devices, credit card purchases, and transportation networks, among other places.

Business benefits of mobility

The growth potential is exciting for businesses in all sectors. Many companies investing in mobility are now developing their own apps. In addition, mobile solutions can help businesses drive improvements in:

• Human resource management
• Customer relationship management
• Workflow management
• Time tracking systems
• Lead generation
• Lead and opportunity management
• Sales management

The business advantages of enhanced mobility are plentiful. In this article, we’ll dive into four key benefits of adopting mobile technology.

1. Improve employee productivity

The most immediate benefit of mobile technology can be seen in your employees’ productivity levels. Confidently place that smartphone, tablet or other mobile device in your employee’s hand and watch them thrive with real-time communication, enhanced access to customer data, and improved workflow management.

It’s easy to picture how your team members might take advantage of these features. Just imagine:

• Sales reps using their mobile devices to check inventory or prepare estimates while at client meetings
• Construction managers using their tablets to update project details from the work sites
• Consultants using their smartphones to access data on client accounts while on the train

Team managers and employees alike will love the productivity benefits offered by mobile apps.

2. Increase your customer engagement

Those valuable customer relationships don’t flourish while you’re sitting in your cubicle. Customer engagement grows out in the real world — at client sites, collaborative meetings, sales demos, conferences, and industry events.

However, the massive growth of email has taken away some of these opportunities for in-person connection. Have you ever had a sales rep who simply sent out the emails, then waited for the replies? It’s one of the downsides of the modern workplace and it frequently creates a roadblock for reps who are struggling to gain traction.

When you invest in mobile technology, your sales team will no longer be tethered to the office by paper files and desktop programs. Instead, they can take essential account information with them as they:

• Visit client offices
• Manage projects and workflows on-site
• Submit orders from the field
• Attend industry events

As the mobile transformation takes hold, your reps will have a greater ability to form strong relationships by meeting customers where they are.

3. Drive your company’s growth strategy

Take a look at your company’s growth strategy. Chances are, your future growth will develop in two ways: expanding your organization and entering new markets.

Increased mobility gives you increased flexibility in both of these areas. A mobile-savvy company is not tied to a specific location or customer base. With your data in the cloud and your team on the move, the possibilities for new developments are wide open.

Enhanced mobility is an important factor in adding more people to your workforce. In fact, some of today’s growing companies are entirely remote as their mobile capabilities allow them to perform at a high level with no office or home base. Having the ability to recruit people from anywhere increases the talent and diversity in your organization.

Mobility is also essential for expanding to new markets. In today’s global and networked economy, it’s no longer necessary to open a new office just to get a foot in the door in a new region. Instead, companies in every sector are taking advantage of mobile technology to acquire customers beyond their own country’s borders.

4. Ensure data accuracy

Have you ever seen a business struggling to conduct analyses with outdated information, or relying on incomplete data while trying to manage customer relationships? It happens more often than we want to believe. Picture a manager who sets unrealistic targets based on inaccurate results from last year, or two sales reps who send conflicting quotes to a customer because neither one knew what the other was doing.

Adopting mobile technology is an important step toward cleaning up your company’s data. When every employee is able to update a centralized database anytime and anywhere, it creates a single source of knowledge for your entire team. For instance, a mobile CRM app is great for ensuring that customer interactions and transactions are always kept up-to-date.

Maximize your mobility investment

More and more companies are working hard to ensure that all of their business management tools — from their CRM and accounting software to their communications networks and servers — are mobile-ready. If you’re thinking of doing the same for yours, don’t delay! The sooner you act, the sooner you’ll see the benefits for both your business and your customers.

The post 4 Business Benefits of Enhanced Mobility appeared first on Method.

As Chuck Robbins, CEO at Cisco Systems, explained in 2017: “Billions of devices, tablets, cars and most importantly — people — are on the brink of being connected over the next decade. Technology is fundamentally changing the way we live, work and solve problems.” He’s correct. And this digital transformation will certainly continue to change the business world.

Tomorrow’s leaders will increasingly use technology to build smarter strategies, enhance operational efficiencies, deliver faster services, and expand their reach into global markets. In its Top 100 Global Technology Leaders report, Thomson Reuters reviewed successful companies and confirmed that current leaders like Amazon, Walmart and Citi are embracing technology to drive productivity in both management and operations.

At the same time, the rapid pace of technological advancement can make it challenging to stay ahead of the curve. In 2016, Forrester interviewed 30 consulting firms, including large players like Deloitte and boutique firms like Senn Delaney, about the future of digital. Every firm said they anticipated significant changes, such as an emphasis on analytics and customer experience, to become more prevalent by 2020.

Smart companies will work hard to understand these trends and think creatively about ways in which they can leverage the power of technology to achieve their own business goals.

The power of digital transformation

We can think about digital transformation by focusing on three key concepts: reach, relevance, and resonance.

Reach

“Reach” is your company’s ability to foster connections between clients, partners and employees.

In some cases, digital transformation is making connectivity more complicated. A 2016 MacAfee report revealed that the average organization uses 210 different collaboration tools, including email apps, file-sharing solutions, workflow managers, office software suites, accounting software and more.

At the same time, companies on digital journeys are driving greater “field productivity,” allowing their people to access and share information anytime from any mobile device.

These new options for connectivity make it possible for work to happen faster. Just imagine a sales rep using their smartphone at a client site to give an immediate quote on additional work, or a C-suite executive using their tablet in a boardroom to access financial data for strategy planning.

Relevance

“Relevance” refers to  your company’s ability to hit the right targets and focus your energy on high-payoff areas. A PWC Annual Global CEO survey found that 74% of respondents believed their ability to harness digital technology would become  their differentiating factor.

However, certain industries — such as construction — may be lagging behind other sectors in this regard. Research from PWC in its 2017 Engineering and Construction Trends found that construction firms are facing higher customer expectations and different financing requirements.

In response to these challenges, the report advised construction firms to implement digital tools to adapt to changes in RFP processes, better understand their market position, and take a closer look at their cost structure.

Resonance

“Resonance” refers to the impact your company has on its industry and marketplace. Is your digital journey adding value to your products or services, driving efficiencies, and opening up new opportunities?

Recent advances in technology offer significant opportunities for companies to shake things up and take their industries by storm. Some possibilities include:

• Using artificial intelligence (AI) to automate formerly manual and repetitive tasks
• Diving into big data analytics for a better understanding of customer behavior and industry-wide trends
• Embracing cloud software and mobile technologies so your teams can expand into new areas and markets

Embracing digital technology for a successful future

In today’s tech-savvy world, companies must be focused, nimble, data-driven and organized. Your digital tools should be as integrated as possible, with different parts of your business connecting to yield immediate information and valuable insights.

Admittedly, small businesses in sectors like construction and consulting may feel that adopting new technology is too expensive or intimidating. However, companies aiming to expand their reach, improve their relevance, and deepen their resonance will surely find that digitization is their best investment.

Digital transformation is the path to a successful tomorrow.

Digital transformation with CRM software

Are you ready to embrace digital transformation? If the answer is yes, then powerful customer relationship management software is an ideal starting point.

CRM software provides a digital platform for connecting every part of your organization — from the C-suite and finance department to your sales and customer service teams.

Remember those businesses that are using 210 separate tools to manage their day-to-day activities? An effective CRM consolidates many of these functions into a single system, including lead tracking, customer management, and workflow automation. A comprehensive, shared platform is an invaluable tool for growth, driving better employee collaboration, greater mobility, and stronger customer relationships.

The future is digital — and a great CRM is a key step in your digital journey. To embrace the power of technology in your own business, try Method:CRM free for 30 days.

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