Until the third industrial revolution, manufacturing was one of the most stable sectors with age-old processes still in place. Now, with the emergence of new technologies, new consumer demands, and new operational models, digital transformation is sweeping across the manufacturing sector. Consider, for instance, that 86% of the top 100 companies investing in research and development are manufacturers. Key areas of interest include advanced analytics, cloud computing, 3D modeling and product simulation, and the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT). Together, this has led to an “Industry Renaissance” where real-world factories and manufacturing processes are being optimized by virtual experiences, making way for “Smart Factories”.
Key Areas of Challenge and Change for Modern Manufacturers
Traditional manufacturing infrastructure was marked by poor visibility, where it was difficult to access complete and detailed insights into the entire industrial ecosystem across different plants. Today, digital technology is making it possible to simulate before commencing production, leveraging heightened connectivity across manufacturing units. At Dassault Systèmes, we believe this is the future of manufacturing , where we connect the physical factory with virtual factory for continuous improvement and digitalalized manufacturing informed by an innovation-ready mindset creating efficient and sustainable Connected Factories. To reimagine plant ecosystems on these lines and build Connected Factories, manufacturers are looking at six pressing challenges:
- Digitalized operations – The first step to any large-scale transformation is the transition to digital operational models. The Industry Renaissance will necessitate intelligent modes of operation from manufacturers, making digitalization an imperative
- Accelerate innovation – As the pace of business accelerates, along with consumer demands for high-quality products delivered at speed, manufacturers have to achieve faster time-to-market.
- Overcome complexity – Mass customization is a significant trend, posing fresh challenges for manufacturers. Also, supply chains are expanding rapidly, alongside a scarcity of skilled professionals. It is important to use technology for breaking across disciplinary barriers, easing collaboration on the factory floor.
- Operate globally, serve locally – Scalability must be balanced with a keen eye on geo-specific requirements where pan-enterprise, multi-locational standardization does not stand in the way of serving regional customers.
- Increase responsiveness – As age-old manufacturing processes quickly become obsolete, sufficient agility is required for adapting to technology disruptions, demand fluctuations, and process changes.
- Drive operational excellence – To stay competitive in a dynamic marketplace, manufacturers are adopting methodologies such as lean production, supported by adequate investments.
Dassault Systèmes’ DELMIA solutions help manufacturers establish digital continuity, breaking traditional silos and paving the way for connected factories. Watch DELMIA CEO, Guillaume VENDROUX, speak more on these issues:
Envisioning a Smart Future for Indian Manufacturers
There is a definite push towards reimagined manufacturing processes barring which enterprises could risk falling behind. As Guillaume VENDROUX explains, “Those who don’t digitize their industrial operations in the next five years will find themselves in a peculiar situation because they’ll lose out to their competitors in terms of response time. These modern approaches are much more efficient, and that’s what makes them so valuable.”
Some of these approaches, which promise genuine value addition for manufacturers, include lean management, advanced production scheduling, model-based operations management, manufacturing analytics, and 3DEXPERIENCE Twin. Lean, as discussed, is a key principle for manufacturers undergoing a transformation. Production scheduling is a core manufacturing area, which requires digitalization, while the model-based approach could help address mass customization challenges. Finally, digital twin solutions like Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE Twin helps simulate physical assets and processes in a digital format, allowing rigorous testing and validation before executing changes in the real world and connect with real time data coming from the physical factory.
To increase access to the latest manufacturing technologies and share insights on next-gen approaches, enabling Indian manufacturers to actualize their Smart Factory objectives, Dassault Systèmes presents “3DEXPERIENCE On Wheels: Connected Factory”. We are eager to present insights on today’s pressing challenges and showcase our digital assembly line, encompassing five Experiences on the essential levers for a smart and connected factory. We look forward to seeing you there – click here to register.