Nick McGrane, managing director of leading ERP solutions provider K3 Syspro, considers the implications of Digital Supply Networks for UK manufacturers.
Digital technologies are transforming the way UK manufacturing supply chains function.
Third generation supply networks embedded in a fully digitalised industrial new age are our future and manufacturers should view these developments as an opportunity to review business processes, to identify where investment could deliver the greatest benefits and to futureproof businesses for the long term.
Supply chains are incredibly complex and there are few UK manufacturers who already operate a fully digitised supply chain, with end-to-end visibility and a dynamic network.
However, a select number of manufacturers are already successfully using digital technology at every stage in the supply chain. By engaging Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to process and harness their data, these companies have both enhanced their operational performance and future-proofed their businesses.
When a strong supply chain model is supported by the best-in-class technology, it renders companies resilient to change in the supply chain and contributes to overall organisational resilience, which is vital in an uncertain economic climate.
It also enables companies to be flexible and able to respond to different market conditions, which in turn supports future growth potential and opportunities for manufacturers and the wider supply chain.
Working with SME manufacturers, our K3 Syspro experts get to see first hand the role our technology is playing in creating a foundation for smart and connected factories, forming the backbone of business management and security.
ERP solutions, such as SYSPRO ERP, enable strong supply chain models to function, helping businesses integrate the value chain, better understand customers, enhance automation, become more responsive, and facilitate a transformation to the factories of the future.
While the full impact of digital technologies remains uncertain, there are three fundamental steps that manufacturers can undertake now to start their journey towards Digital Supply Networks:
- Develop an in-depth knowledge of business processes: this is essential to an effective implementation of ERP and other digital technologies
- Benchmark: focus on key business drivers, benchmarking against competitors and other businesses in different sectors who excel in areas you wish to excel in
- Review business mechanics and assess the efficiency of production processes, reviewing resource allocation and comparing costs against UK industry norms
K3 Syspro’s Mind the Gap: The Step from Digital Supply Chain to Supply Network e-book provides a more detailed insight into the implications of Digital Supply Networks for UK manufacturers.
Visit www.k3syspro.com/digitalsupplychain to download a free copy.
