{"id":16369,"date":"2021-05-19T14:07:37","date_gmt":"2021-05-19T14:07:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/?p=16369"},"modified":"2021-05-20T10:09:18","modified_gmt":"2021-05-20T10:09:18","slug":"90-of-all-manufacturing-supply-chains-will-invest-in-technology-by-the-end-of-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/90-of-all-manufacturing-supply-chains-will-invest-in-technology-by-the-end-of-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"90% of all manufacturing supply chains will invest in technology by the end of 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

19 May 2021<\/em>: In 2020 and into 2021, industrial companies in the EMEA region have been hit by high impact transformations including multiple waves of COVID-19 and many major geo-political events. In this context, companies that have made more extensive advances in digital transformation and digital technology deployment have historically delivered a better business performance than their “non-digital” counterparts.<\/p>\n

This was revealed in IDC\u2019s Executive Brief – Executive Predictions For Industrial Digital Transformation in EMEA: 2021 (And Beyond)<\/em>, sponsored by Rockwell Automation, which is based on a survey of more than 400 industrial companies across the EMEA region, and examines how businesses have adjusted their approach to digital transformation in the face of uncertainty, and how those changes have affected them and will continue to affect them into the future.<\/p>\n

Jan Burian, <\/strong>Head of IDC Manufacturing Insights EMEA, IDC, says that IDC expects that, by the end of 2021, 90% of all manufacturing supply chains will have invested in the technology and business processes necessary for true resilience, resulting in productivity improvements of 5%.<\/p>\n

To stay relevant in current market conditions, companies need to drive integrated fulfillment through digital supply networks by enabling flexible reactions to changes in demand, supply, and resources.<\/p>\n

This quest for resilience starts with mitigating risks in the face of higher complexity of operations. According to IDC’s Supply chain survey of EMEA companies, sponsored by Rockwell Automation, managing logistics and fulfillment and achieving end-to-end visibility are the two areas that are critical to managing risk across the supply chain.<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore, it is not a surprise that according to the same IDC research, operations rank as the top area of focus for EMEA companies when it comes to an investment aimed at improving supply chain and operational processes. In fact, as plants are now seen as supply chain bottlenecks, they are becoming the primary targets for new investments. Companies realize that business process reinvention and business model transformation must be enabled by solid plant capabilities and a “back to basics” attitude that sees operations as a key contributor to companies’ value proposition,\u201d the IDC Executive Brief states.<\/p>\n

In fact, Lorenzo Veronesi<\/strong>, Research Manager, IDC Manufacturing Insights EMEA, IDC, states that the IDC expects that, to support autonomous operations, by 2022, organisations will increase their investments in data governance, digital engineering functions, and digital operations technologies by 40%.<\/p>\n

The past year has demonstrated beyond a doubt the need for a comprehensive digital transformation strategy. Companies falling short of the \u201cdigital divide\u201d have struggled to adapt, while those who have embraced and made significant advances in Industry 4.0 have thrived.<\/p>\n

With signs of recovery being reported throughout the news, it\u2019s important to look ahead and consider the lessons we have learned, says Susana Gonzalez, EMEA President at Rockwell Automation. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/strong>We need to be flexible about how we approach this year and resist the urge to cling to the \u2018old ways\u2019. If we are open to changing our perceptions based on experience, then we are able to grow \u2013 our beliefs are only valid until they are disproven.<\/p>\n

\u201cI, like many, once thought that to be efficient in sales and customer relations, you had to be out in the field all the time. COVID-19 happened, we adapted, and the sky didn\u2019t fall \u2013 we\u2019re still selling and we\u2019re still serving our customers. Even I have been surprised at just how successful the process of adapting has been,\u201d Gonzalez concludes.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The IDC Executive Brief – Executive Predictions for Industrial Digital Transformation in EMEA for 2021 (and Beyond)<\/strong> \u2013 includes:<\/p>\n