Assembling cloud for automating the manufacturing industry

SaaS-based applications are 22% of all manufacturing and distribution software installed today, and is predicted to grow up to 45% within ten years

Manufacturing industry is using cloud-based systems to streamline key areas of their business. With this shift, manufacturers are saving up more time in investing in new products and selling more. However, the knowledge and clarity about cloud adaption in the manufacturing industry is relatively low.
From a supply chain, distribution and services point of view, manufacturers are obsessed with making themselves as easy as possible to work with. The most important characteristics of a SaaS solution in manufacturing and distribution include providing the customers with a measure of control over upgrades, consistent support for global operations and allowing for rapid and frequent upgrades.

Why Cloud

Adopting cloud is a cost saving option and also gives rapid scalability. When the manufacturing industry takes to the cloud, it can bring in a lot of changes like the ones mentioned here:

  • Use analytics and business intelligence to capture and apply company-wide intelligence and knowledge
  • Shift quickly to the launch of supplier portals and collaboration platforms, complete with quality management dashboards and workflows
  • Cloud integration expertise is critical for manufacturers when it comes to design in services
  • Accelerate new product development and introduction (NPDI) strategies
  • Manage indirect and direct channel sales from a single cloud platform tracking sales results
  • Use cloud-based marketing automation applications to plan, execute and most important, track results of every campaign
  • Automate customer service, support and common order status inquiries online
  • Integrate systems to distributed order management, pricing, and content management platforms
  • Increase reliance on two-tier ERP strategies and gain greater efficiencies in material planning, supplier management and reduce logistics costs
  • Unify all manufacturing locations globally through its reliance on cloud-based Human Resource Management (HRM) systems