Common Manufacturing Digitalization Challenges

When it comes to digitizing manufacturing operations, there's also the cost of non-adoption to consider, such as falling behind competitors or struggling to meet current market expectations.

Fremont, CA: Robots powered by 3D printing, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) - there's a whole world of advanced manufacturing technology and innovation waiting for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) who want to up their digital game. Sadly, manufacturing digitization can introduce new fundamental challenges, such as increased cybersecurity risk.

Let's look at some of the top challenges for SMMs when it comes to implementing advanced manufacturing technology applications.

Available Capital

An organization's efforts to digitize manufacturing operations can result in unbounded investment costs if not planned for. This is especially true when it comes to cybersecurity in a digital environment, where investments can become reactive if not thoughtfully planned for in advance. Once a plan is in place, it allows SMMs to invest wisely in advanced manufacturing technology capabilities over time, resulting in ROI benefits such as:

       • Increased operational efficiency and agility;

       • Decreased downtime, and

       • Enhanced ability to predict and adjust to facility and supply changes.

When it comes to digitizing manufacturing operations, there's also the cost of non-adoption to consider, such as falling behind competitors or struggling to meet current market expectations. A comprehensive investment plan considers the cost and benefit of implementing – or not implementing – any changes when those changes should occur and how much money must be put aside to prepare for those changes.

Cybersecurity Plan

All technology implementations must start with a cybersecurity plan. A solid cybersecurity strategy not only assists manufacturers in identifying and improving current security protocols but also positions them to manage future risks.

Key stakeholders must identify the most important information assets to safeguard, map how that information flows through the organization, and assess the level of risk if that information is lost or compromised.

       • This establishes the framework for how the company will address risks to that information and can be utilized to assign risk management roles, develop secure procedures, and put in place appropriate safeguards.