Trend Micro Incorporated has published new research* revealing that persistently low IT/C-suite engagement may imperil investments and expose organizations to increased cyber risk.
Critical Issues: Manufacturing/Supply Chain
Critical issues are thought provoking articles relating to strategy, legislation, technology, best practice and some of the most challenging business topics in the world of manufacturing and supply chain information technology. The articles in this section have been contributed by leading vendors, industry leaders, research analysts, trade associations and consultancies and cover a variety of topics relating to the manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, transportation and distribution marketplace across Europe. They look at market trends, improvements in technology and some thought provoking comment on all aspects of optimising and improving efficiencies throughout the supply chain from raw material to finished product.
Other important topics covered in this section concern Health and Safety in Logistics with articles from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).Taxation, government policy, climate change, recruitment and training schemes are all covered, as well as educational opportunities at various UK logistics educational facilities such at Cranfield University.
Optimism returns to the sector, but Ukrainian crisis could imperil supply chains - MHA comments
Feb 01, 2022
Following the release of the latest UK Manufacturing PMI, Alastair Wilson, Partner at MHA, detects renewed optimism in the sector fuelled by easing supply chain issues and rising consumer confidence, but notes the potential for serious disruption in the supply of energy and materials if developments in the Ukraine worsen
Businesses must be convinced of the commercial case for sustainability if green targets are to be achieved
Jan 31, 2022
Large and medium-sized organisations report improving sustainability among the three biggest challenges they face. Greater focus is being put on bringing social and environmental concerns in line with factors affecting profitability, according to new research undertaken by one of the UK's leading business energy suppliers, Gazprom Energy.
Half of all organisations believe web scraping technology is too complex to implement
Jan 26, 2022
Oxylabs’ white paper, The Growing Importance of External Data in the Retail and E-Commerce Industry, reveals that the main reason organisations have chosen not to adopt automated external data acquisition is because web scraping technology is seen as too complicated (cited by 50% of respondents).
Manufacturing activity remains firm as costs rise sharply – CBI Quarterly Industrial Trends Survey
Jan 25, 2022
UK manufacturing output volumes in the quarter to January grew at a slower pace than in December, though growth remained firm compared with the long-run average, while costs grew at the quickest pace for decades, according to the latest quarterly CBI Industrial Trends Survey.
Is onshoring the new offshoring?
Jan 25, 2022
Gavin Smith, head of manufacturing at Plextek, looks at the trend to ‘manufacturing from home’ and asks if it provides more security in the supply chain.
Low-code\No-code patents rise to transform software development for digital transformation, finds GlobalData
Jan 24, 2022
Software development in the digital era is often challenged by skilled developer shortages, technical debt, and shadow IT. Low-code\no-code (LCNC) platforms hold a promise to fix these problems and accelerate enterprise digital transformation. With their growing acceptance in wide-scale, patent grants in the space recorded a 19.6% growth between 2015 and 15 December 2021, reveals GlobalData, the data and analytics company.
The call centre can furnish retailers with a wealth of customer insight
Jan 19, 2022
By Scott Minihane, Business Development Manager at Infinity.
Home furnishings is consistently one of the highest performing categories in retail. A buoyant housing market and more time spent at home has also seen the sector hold up reasonably well compared to others over the past couple of years - despite the obvious challenges brought about by Covid-19.
How to double up grocery logistics productivity
Jan 19, 2022
Faced with the likelihood of long term staff shortages and resulting rises in pay rates, warehouse and distribution centre operators in grocery and many other sectors are turning sometimes belatedly to automation. This is certainly an option but not all solutions deliver really significant productivity improvements.
The most common cyber threats in the industrial environment
Jan 19, 2022
By Eduardo Di Monte, Cybersecurity Portfolio Strategic Growth Leader, Rockwell Automation.
Given the current nature of the cyber threat landscape, no organisation is immune from becoming the target of cybercriminals. Over the past year alone, we’ve seen companies of all types and sizes, irrespective of industry or sector, fall victim to a cyberattack.
Manufacturing Critical Issues
The manufacturing industry is facing a number of critical issues, including:
- Supply chain disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic and geo-political tensions/war has caused widespread disruption to global supply chains, and this is having a significant impact on manufacturing. Manufacturers are struggling to get the raw materials and components they need to produce their products, and this is leading to shortages and delays.
- Labour shortage. The manufacturing industry is facing a labor shortage, as there are not enough skilled workers available to fill open positions. This is due to a number of factors, including the aging workforce, the decline of manufacturing in some countries, and the lack of educational opportunities in STEM fields.
- Rising costs. The cost of manufacturing is rising, due to factors such as the rising cost of raw materials, energy, and transportation. This is putting pressure on manufacturers' margins and making it difficult for them to compete.
- Technology adoption. The manufacturing industry is facing the challenge of adopting new technologies, such as automation and artificial intelligence. These technologies can help manufacturers to improve efficiency and productivity, but they can also be expensive and disruptive to implement.
- Environmental regulations. Manufacturers are facing increasing environmental regulations, which are forcing them to change their production processes. This can be costly and time-consuming, but it is essential for manufacturers to comply with these regulations in order to remain competitive.
Supply Chain Critical Issues
The global supply chain has been facing a number of critical issues in recent years, including
- Labour shortages: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to labor shortages in many industries, including manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing. This has made it difficult to find and retain workers, which has led to delays and disruptions in the supply chain.
- Equipment shortages: The global supply chain is also facing shortages of equipment, such as containers, trucks, and ships. This is due to a number of factors, including the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and increased demand for goods.
- Port congestion: Port congestion has been a major issue in recent years, as ships have been waiting for days or even weeks to unload their cargo. This is due to a number of factors, including increased demand, labor shortages, and weather events.
- Demand volatility: Demand for goods has been volatile in recent years, as consumers have shifted their spending habits due to the pandemic. This has made it difficult for businesses to forecast demand and manage their supply chains accordingly.
- Natural disasters: Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, can also disrupt the supply chain. These events can damage infrastructure, disrupt transportation, and destroy inventory.
