By Chip Johns, President and Chief Operating Officer, Butler Automatic Inc.
Why would a relatively small business choose to make the significant investment needed to implement an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system?
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.
Enterprise Resource Planning system helps manufacturing company reduce lead times
Feb 16, 2017
2016 the year of economic nationalism as supply chain risk reaches record high
Feb 14, 2017
Global supply chain risk grew to a record high at the end of 2016 as the CIPS Risk Index, powered by Dun & Bradstreet, rose to 82.64, from 79.14 at the end of 2015.
Manufacturing driving production increase in the UK but IoT investment must not leave Britain behind
Feb 14, 2017
UK manufacturing contributed to a 1.1 percent increase in total production between November and December 2016, according to Office for National Statistics figures.
Why CRM is essential for effective contact centre engagement
Feb 09, 2017
Colin Hay, VP Sales, Intelecom UK looks at the advantages of smarter CRM.
Customer relationship management (CRM) is a moving target of definitions and associations. Even full time professional industry watchers have to update their standard definitions to reflect the evolution of a market that Gartner forecasts will be worth US$36.7 billion in 2017.
Let your ERP do the talking
Feb 09, 2017
By Michiel Schipperus, CEO, Sana Commerce.
With investment in ERP pretty much a certainty, most manufacturers have sweated both time and money to build, integrate and automate their back office functions and are now reaping the rewards associated with improved product planning, purchasing and delivery.
Streamlining processes yields savings and efficiency gains
Feb 09, 2017
By Chip Johns, President and Chief Operating Officer, Butler Automatic Inc.
Why would a relatively small business choose to make the significant investment needed to implement an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system?
Why sellers could leave Amazon’s cargo airline grounded
Feb 08, 2017
By Jonathan Bellwood, Founder & CEO, Peoplevox.
As the global retailing giant strives to maintain maximum share of shoppers' wallets, Amazon is now investing 1.5bn dollars in an air cargo hub to support a fleet of "Prime Air" freight planes.
Over 41% of companies without EDI
Feb 08, 2017
Over 41% of businesses have no electronic data interchange (EDI) capability and 21% just use web portals, a new survey conducted by leading EDI company, Data Interchange, reveals.
50% of UK management candidates lack leadership skills
Feb 02, 2017
Every second candidate applying for a management level position is lacking leadership skills, according to UK HR directors.
New research by Robert Half UK of 200 HR directors also revealed that nearly one in five (18%) management candidates fall short on planning skills, with 15% lacking functional, job-related skills and 14% lacking communication skills.
Five trends in IT and digital communications in 2017
Jan 26, 2017
Continued digitisation of documentation and mobile workforces. But also continued strong growth for Push to Talk in areas such as security, crisis, logistics and healthcare. GroupTalks CEO Magnus Hedberg writes about what he believes are the strongest trends in IT and digital communications in 2017.
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.
