Manufacturing Technology
Article | October 13, 2021
The electronics manufacturing business is adopting new technologies to create smart electronics manufacturing products for its consumer base. Next-generation technologies are shaping the future of the manufacturing industry by enabling it to create technologically advanced and user-friendly products. Matt Mong, one of the manufacturing industry's leading professionals, stated in an interview with Media7,
“Be Different. Don’t position your product in an existing category. Instead, create your category and make the competition irrelevant and obsolete.” – Matt Mong, VP Market Innovation and Project Business Evangelist at Adeaca.
The year 2022 will be a year of advancement and development for the electronics manufacturing industry.
So, manufacturers are eager to embrace new technologies and produce more innovative, more user-friendly goods that become part of consumers' daily lives and meet their needs. To make the manufacturing process manageable and deliver advanced products, we will look at the top five trends flourishing in the electronics manufacturing industry.
Top Five Electronics Manufacturing Industry Trends
Future manufacturing technologies are transforming the electronics manufacturing industry's processes and products. Let's look at the top electronics manufacturing industry trends for 2022, which will propel the sector to new heights of technological advancement.
Utilizing the Benefits of the Internet of Things
The Internet of Things is being used in both the manufacturing process and the products themselves. It enables electronic manufacturing products and processes to become more intelligent and performance-driven to fulfill business and customer needs.
In electronics manufacturing, the Internet of Things (IoT) enables businesses to solve common production challenges such as product quality issues, changing demands, and a complex global supply chain. As a result, it increases productivity and efficiency while reducing human effort.
Industrial units may gather and analyze real-time data and processes using IoT-based sensor systems. Additionally, it assists organizations in managing data and transforms traditional manufacturing into an intelligent manufacturing unit.
Using an ERP System to Maintain the Company's Competitive Edge
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is a centralized management system for all operational and business activities. The software automates all manufacturing processes and enables the electronics manufacturing sector to achieve higher precision throughout the manufacturing process and product delivery.
ERP has the potential to boost productivity, improve efficiency, decrease expenses, and increase profitability. ERP enables electronics manufacturers to forecast, plan, modify, and respond to changing market demands. By using an ERP system in your manufacturing unit, you may expand your business and increase revenue.
Making Use of Big Data
The electronics manufacturing industry benefits from the use of big data to make critical business decisions. It aids in the integration of previously isolated systems to provide a comprehensive view of industrial processes. It also automates data gathering and processing, allowing for more excellent knowledge of each system individually and collectively.
Big data also assists manufacturers in discovering new information and identifying trends, allowing them to optimize operations, improve supply chain efficiency, and find variables that impact manufacturing quality, volume, or consistency. In addition, big data assists the electronics manufacturing industry in keeping up with the rapidly changing digital world.
Using AR and VR to Create Consumer-friendly Goods
AR and VR are future manufacturing technologies that are changing electronics manufacturing products and driving growth. Robotics is a crucial usage of virtual reality in electronics production. Manufacturers may use powerful virtual reality software to design goods. This implementation of virtual reality software reduces production errors and saves time and money.
AR in electronics manufacturing allows product developers to generate interactive 3D views of new products before production. AR and VR are part of Industry 4.0, the digital revolution of conventional electronics production units.
Adoption of 3D Printing on a Wide Scale
One of the essential advantages of today's electronics 3D printing is that companies can quickly prototype PCBs and other electrical devices in-house. In addition, 3D printing has simplified the electronics manufacturing process, and it is currently being utilized to manufacture multilayer printed circuit boards. It uses material jetting technology to spray conductive and insulating inks onto the printing surface.
Let's look at an example of an analogy that worked for Jinzhenyuan - The Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., managed by Mr. Huang Runyuan, Jinzhenyuan's General Manager, and based on the concept of Industry 4.0. (Reference: Forbes)
Jinzhenyuan - The Electronic Technology Co. Ltd. Takes a Significant Step Forward with Industry 4.0
Jinzhenyuan - The Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., formed in 2012, sells its products globally. In addition, it manufactures cellphones, computers, cars, and a variety of other consumer electronics. Due to changing market needs, the firm planned to upgrade its production facility to industry 4.0 by the end of 2017 to participate in smart manufacturing.
The company increased production efficiency, shortened production cycles, and cut costs due to the digital revolution. Today, Jinzhenyuan is regarded as a model of digital transformation in the community in which it works. Let’s observe the statistics for Jinzhenyuan following the deployment of Industry 4.0.
32% improvement in total production efficiency
33% cost reduction
41% decrease in R&D to production cycles
51% reduction in substandard parts rate – from 3,000 to 1,500 per million
Final Words
The electronics manufacturing sector is on the verge of a digital revolution that will improve the production process efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Many of the world's biggest firms, like Apple, Microsoft, Hitachi, and Saline lectronics, are developing future agile factories to keep up with the world's digital transformation. Future manufacturing technology will help your manufacturing company make the manufacturing process more efficient and boost the business revenue.
FAQs
What are the future electronics technologies?
Smart grid solutions, wearable technology devices, prefabricated goods, the Internet of Things, and robots are some of the future electronics innovations that will propel the business forward.
Is the supply chain benefiting from new technology trends?
Yes, supply chain management benefits from smart technology as well. Trucks equipped with cutting-edge technologies can get real-time data on the weather and road conditions ahead of time. It contributes to the supply chain process's reduction of possible risks.
Which manufacturers are implementing the industry 4.0 concept in their factories?
Whirlpool, Siemens, Hirotec, Tesla, Bosch, and Ocado, among others, have turned their traditional factories into digitally smart ones that incorporate all of the cutting-edge technology necessary to improve and optimize the production process.
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Article | April 15, 2020
In the midst of the rapid lifestyle changes incurred by COVID-19, consumer behaviors have shifted considerably: grocery and variety stores are experiencing consistent spikes in consumer demand, while other brick-and-mortar retailers are experiencing dwindling sales and a spike in traffic to their ecommerce sites. Undoubtedly, this reality significantly impacts manufacturers who, by and large, are worried about what COVID-19 will mean for their organizations in the short to medium terms. In fact, PwC has reported that 80% of manufacturing leaders expect to see a negative financial impact on their business due to the pandemic.
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Manufacturing Technology
Article | April 26, 2022
Cloud implementation alone will not provide value for a company. Executives at the highest levels must take the initiative towards digital transformation. C-suite executives play an important role in a business's digital transformation, which is critical to its success.
C-level executives must consider cloud computing plans over the long term and ensure appropriate money and resources for cloud adoption.
When it comes to cloud computing's objectives and benefits, C-level executives must take the lead and be involved in the strategies to ensure that the blueprint meets the business's requirements. CEOs, for example, must collaborate with CTOs and CIOs to maximize the benefits of cloud computing and ensure a smooth transition to digital transformation.
In this article, we will discuss the five essential activities that the organization's c-level executives must undertake to get the most out of cloud computing.
Five Cloud Adoption Actions C-suite Executives Must Take
Maintaining a Consistent Financial Flow
Cloud computing's objectives and benefits can be realized only with enough funding. As a CEO, it is critical to establish a financial funnel that supports each stage of the organization's cloud migration journey. It may take time for your firm to benefit from cloud computing fully. As a result, it is critical to ensure the financial backing is steady and consistent.
Develop a Cloud-based Business Strategy
A business transition is only as efficient as the planning that supports it. Therefore, to maximize the value of cloud computing, it is critical to developing a business strategy and an accompanying technology operating model. A model of this type harmonizes processes for collaborative engagement between IT and business, thereby unleashing potential.
CIOs Can Help CFOs Grasp the Cloud Business Case
Cloud is a business priority, not an IT one. Because it is based on technology, the CIO must convince other C-suite members, including the CFO. The CIO may directly address the CFO's business priorities by demonstrating how cloud technologies improve business processes and overall enterprise performance.
The CIO can also explain how using cloud-based solutions saves money by letting an external provider handle maintenance and hosting. With technical knowledge of data and infrastructure requirements, the CIO can help the CFO understand the dangers of cloud computing and how to solve CFO concerns like data governance and compliance. The CIO and CFO can collaborate along with CEO to derive better results from the benefits of cloud computing.
Collaborate on a Deployment Plan
Cloud technologies can be disruptive, whether they solve a problem or add new capabilities. Co-developing a deployment strategy that minimizes downtime, quickly trains employees on the latest technology, and establishes clear success indicators helps minimize interruption.
The discussion should begin with an evaluation of the company's requirements, followed by comparing the various cloud technologies. The CIO can assess the company's current technological environment and identify new technologies that can cover the gaps.
Understand the Financial Consequences of Cloud Computing
The adoption of cloud technology will significantly alter expenses and cost structures. It will take the CIO's expertise to predict these changes. Cloud computing offers more than just long-term cost benefits. Also, CFOs must be aware of the initial costs and their possible influence on corporate efficiency and revenue.
The CIO will understand a cloud vendor's service level agreements (SLAs), prices, and requirements to migrate legacy systems and train personnel on the new technology. Because the CIO will be actively monitoring the company's move to the cloud, they may advise the CFO on predicted cost and cash flow changes. This is crucial for the CFO, who must give Wall Street quarterly capital and operating expense predictions.
Final Word
In summary, the benefits of cloud computing can be reaped by applying high-level strategies. A flawless collaboration between the CEO, CIO, and CTO can transform a business's digital transformation journey into a successful venture. Right communication is critical during the cloud migration process. Employees should get this communication from C-suite executives to foster trust and assure compliance with governance requirements.
FAQ
How does cloud-computing help in the manufacturing industry?
Cloud computing enables manufacturers to run their operations more intelligently, which is enabled through increased use of data analytics. Indeed, for the majority of manufacturers, the cloud is rapidly becoming the primary location for data storage, analytics, and intelligence.
Why do manufacturers adopt the cloud?
Cloud adoption is a strategic decision made by businesses to save costs, mitigate risk, and increase the scalability of their database capabilities. Cloud adoption varies from organization to organization, depending on the degree of acceptance.
What are the 7 R’s of cloud migration planning?
Refactor/re-architect, re-platform, repurchase, re-host, relocate, retain, and retire are the seven R’s in cloud migration planning.
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Manufacturing Technology
Article | January 25, 2021
These days, smart can be added to the front of just about everything. And unsurprisingly, packaging is no different.?
Being influenced by digital transformation, smart packaging is a way for brands to connect their online and offline offerings. And as?ecommerce sales continue to rise, Robert Lockyer, CEO and founder of Delta Global, a packaging solutions provider for luxury retailers such as Coach and Tom Ford,?believes the smart trend in packaging will too.
In this piece, Robert shares his predictions on how?the?new era of smart packaging and?consequently, products,?will?connect,?improve?and transform industries?and?shape new?consumer expectations.
Smart packaging refers to a container or outer shell of a product that has extended functions. Now, the concept is nothing new as these functions are?often the reason?specific?materials are chosen for use in?the?packaging?of?certain products.
For instance, in the food market,?it’s?common to find fresh produce wrapped in film with ethylene absorbers in order to lengthen shelf life. Or, for bottles to be fitted with oxygen absorbing caps to keep drinks fresher for longer.
But typically, in other FMCG markets, packaging has largely remained disconnected from?the product it is containing. Packaging is merely seen as a means for transportation or a protective outer layer.
However, we are?seeing?a shift?in perception. Increasingly, brands are investing in the smart functions of their packaging?in order to?add value to their products. And consumers are beginning to expect such things from brands as a result.
Consumer benefits of smart packaging
As the trend prevails, there are?a number of?reasons?why?brands?should consider?introducing smart packaging to their product offering. The most significant of these being the ability to improve the overall customer experience of shopping from your brand and encouraging greater customer engagement.
Although in?traditional?retail?customers are presented with various?physical touchpoints before making a purchasing decision, ecommerce is different. Unless a customer has visited a store first, which is unlikely at present due to COVID-19 restrictions, the package is often the first physical point of contact a customer has with a brand.
Therefore, from the moment the package is delivered, before it is even opened, it needs to make an impression on your customer. An impression that reflects your brand and the intended customer experience.?This way, consumers will already have positive perceptions of your business, encouraging a better reception of your products, greater overall?engagement?and a higher likelihood of a repeat purchase in order to go through the whole experience again.
And smart packaging is a way for brands to do exactly that. Packages can offer customers additional benefits and an improved customer experience by integrating within them various technologies and features.
Face value features may include?illuminations, sounds, and aromas, enticing customers by appealing to their sensory needs. But other smart technology integration can be much less obvious, yet equally as advantageous.
For instance, through use of connectivity and augmentation features, whether that be scannable QR codes,?sensors?or microchips,?this?can be used to improve communication with customers and the functionality and use of the product.
By scanning a QR?placed on the outside of a box or bag with a smartphone?for example, customers can be provided with more information on the product inside, including details of ingredients,?origins?and production.?QR’s can?also provide?other marketing content such as competitions, product recommendations?through digital discovery?channels?and the?offering of?virtual brand experiences.
Or, if the package itself is not “smart” in function, perhaps brands can look at using customer data and insights to inform designs and even tailor the outer materials to the needs of individual customers or groups, making them smart in design instead.
Either way, smart packaging is becoming a way for brands to differentiate themselves from competitors?by improving customer interactions and supplementing their product offering with additional features and benefits and overall, creating a more favourable customer experience.
Commercial value of smart packaging
However,?smart packaging?isn’t?just about giving your customers more. Rather, there are many benefits for the business,?too.
Ultimately,?there are advantages for?connectivity and transparency in the supply chain?as well as on the customer facing front. And of course, this is exactly what is offered with smart packaging.
Through the inclusion of chips and systems, such as radio frequency identification (RFID)?which identify packages wirelessly, tedious processes involved with scanning at various logistic points can be removed, making the entire process from order to delivery much more efficient.
Naturally, this would reduce?administrative tasks as well as costs for the business due to a much more streamlined chain.
For more sensitive items, particularly in food or even in the health and beauty industry, temperature can also be both managed and monitored through smart packaging. Readings can then easily be displayed on packages, giving both the brand and customer assurance that the items inside have not been breached and remain?compliant and safe to use.
Consequently, smart packaging is on track to transform industries by offering both brands and consumers new ways to deliver and use products.?Although barriers do exist at present, namely the costs related to manufacturing, it will be interesting to see how more and more brands begin to innovate and integrate smart technologies to more than just their products.
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