Page 18 - Logistics News - May June 2022

I N T E L L I G E N T D ATA

insights as the mechanisms to monitor the supply Becoming streamlined
chain in real time to optimise the operational It becomes important to move beyond complexity
environment. Having increased visibility of the and disparity and focus on how best to gain real-time
asset lines will enable manufacturers to refocus oversight of processes. This requires the priority to
their decision-making and find ways of delivering on be on streamlining processes, centralising data and
sustainability targets while improving their revenue optimising production to reduce manual intervention
potential and profitability. that can often be blamed for errors.

Beyond the basics As part of the transition to an intelligent data-
Manufacturers who have already made extensive led environment, digital infrastructure must be
investments in enterprise risk management (ERP), put in place that incorporates the likes of artificial
enterprise asset management (EAM) and scheduling intelligence, machine learning, ERP, EAM and
optimisation systems might be unwilling to examine manufacturing execution systems (MES). This will
the requirements of intelligent data-driven systems contribute to improved transparency which the
for fear of adding to the cost and complexity of the manufacturer can use to extend product and asset
existing solution real estate. The reality is that most life cycles, reduce waste and provide feedback on the
of the platforms they have in place are adding to data areas where the circular economy can be improved
fragmentation and not reducing it. upon.

As a means of overcoming this, the priority Manufacturers must caution against viewing
must turn to implementing a centralised data this as a once-off process. Intelligent data and the
infrastructure. This will enable decision-makers associated digital transformation of traditional
to have a universal view of all the manufacturing systems must be ongoing. It must be considered
processes and in this way embrace the true power that a motion of business that forms part of the
intelligent data can provide. manufacturer’s own life cycle. Just as it continued
to grow and expand and develop new products and
With global supply chains still under pressure, services, so too must the intelligent data environment
being able to unlock the potential of intelligent data be adapted for shifts in technology.
will provide manufacturers with the foresight they
need to proactively manage any future uncertainties. Agreeing on it
Armed with this intelligent data, organisations Business buy-in becomes the starting point to
can inject improved oversight to product life cycle affecting this change at scale. The best technology
management across the supply chain. and approaches available can do little to change how
the manufacturer operates if there is no executive
And while this might sound counter-intuitive, drive to make things work.
introducing an intelligent data layer does not have to
Integrating intelligent data with more advanced
be a difficult undertaking. It becomes the critical step technologies while still delivering on the existing
L O GI S T I CS NEWS visibility required across the manufacturing footprint. platform investments will require a careful balancing
in ensuring data becomes centralised to deliver the
act. But if manufacturers are to deliver value in
And with this in place, local operations will get the
today’s digital market, then they must find ways to
competitive advantage essential for a digitally driven
do so, especially given the expected push to grow
marketplace while still supporting the demand for
sustainable business practices.
business for the remainder of 2022. •

16 M A Y/JUNE 2022 www .l o g ist i csn e w s .c o .z a