Tackling The Key Challenges of Digitalization in The Manufacturing Sector
The risks associated with upgrading technology can be weighed against the benefits for manufacturers. Opportunities for improved efficiency in dairy processing facilities arise with the advent of Industry 4.0 and its usage of digitally networked machinery, AI, AR, blockchain, IoT, and robotics.
However, significant difficulties might arise from digitizing manufacturing, such as difficulties in integrating with legacy systems and numerous security worries.
Let’s find the benefits and drawbacks of the many options for technological modernization available to the dairy industry.
The First Problem: Worries about Safety
The information a business collects on its customers, employees, and intellectual property is among its most valuable assets. It would be irrational and unsafe to leave it unprotected, leaving the business vulnerable to cybercriminals, ransomware attacks, legal action, penalties, and system interruptions.
Solution: Companies should automate cyber security services, prevention, and response to reduce the likelihood of data breaches and production halts. A Zero Trust Architecture, machine learning, and blockchain technology make this a reality.
In addition, the dairy industry must have a plan to protect against cyberattacks. Hiring cyber security services, if necessary, to help identify the weak points in their defense system is a huge step forward in this direction.
The second problem: Resistance from workers
Cold storage and manufacturing are just two production areas common to most industrial warehouses. To coordinate the flow of products between stations, operators typically have access to a graphical user interface (GUI) built into the process controllers installed at each station.
Nonetheless, widespread mistakes made by factory workers frequently cause inefficiency, decreased output, and quality issues. Simple things like messing up the initial setup, not following the assembly instructions, or slapping on the wrong label all fall into this category.
Solution: Because of technological advancements, the manufacturing industries must implement new practices, with retraining workers being a top priority. However, not all employees are open to new ideas and approaches.
Similarly, change shouldn’t be imposed simply because it’s possible. Instead, it should be the product of an ongoing discovery phase that offers workers the leeway to assess the effectiveness of current practices and identify potential improvement areas.
The discovery process needs input from everyone in the firm. The president or another senior executive of the company should kick things off, followed by critical staff members from multiple departments and the people making the ultimate decisions. The experience and education levels of each employee should be considered.
The third problem: Not having a well-developed digital strategy
Many manufacturing companies are not growing because of digital transformation; they recognize the need for change but need a clear implementation strategy. Because of where they stand, preparation is crucial. Setting objectives for digital optimization early in the planning process is crucial.
Solution: Let’s take the incorporation of high-tech sensors into packaging and production lines as an example. To do predictive maintenance, factories can use data mining with the proper sensor technologies to isolate signals for operational parameters. Here, that means swapping out components before they suddenly break and shut down the plant. This improves production effectiveness since more people can access processing and packing lines easily.
After determining which industries are crucial, developing plans to further digitalization in that area will be much easier. For instance, the most crucial data is recorded upon receipt of the product so that it can be digitally processed. Digital records can be kept of producing, using, and applying valuable intermediate products (such as fat and protein) in finished goods. Doing so makes a software-based accounting of raw materials possible, producing valuable data for further analysis.
The fourth problem: Outdated technology
It cannot be easy to update an aging network in an intelligent manufacturing setting. When everything is digitalized, though, different systems can talk to each other about the proper data, and that’s worth the effort.
Solution: It could be challenging to update technology because of all the interdependencies that must be considered. Systems can be upgraded without disrupting production using a tried and true parallel, phased, or piloted implementation strategy. Concerns about implementing future advancements can be avoided by taking a more modular approach to technology—for example, by adopting standard application programming interfaces (APIs).
The fifth problem: The steep learning curve
One of the primary problems with digitization is a need for more knowledge in deploying new industrial technologies safely and securely; however, this may be remedied by consulting with outside specialists.
Solution: Problems in implementation are standard for any new technology. Experts from outside the company can bring insights, abilities, and perspectives that the company wouldn’t have otherwise. Rapid implementation assistance and training from outside expertise can help businesses achieve achievements like these.
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Advanced data analytics
- Automation in augmented or virtual reality
- Cloud computing
- Sensors and the internet of things
- The infrastructure for wireless communication
- Models of zero trust.
Conclusion
A digital transformation is not guaranteed merely by embracing digital technology; internal and external barriers must be overcome. Thus, reducing the obstacles to change may aid in overcoming these challenges. Transform the values and structure of your firm. Make use of a design that can quickly adapt to emerging technologies. You may maximize resource utilization, meet standards for better customer safety, and maintain a flexible business model by doing so. Hire a cyber security service manager to left no stone unturned in flourishing your business.
