Three Takeaways from Microsoft’s Digital Manufacturing Summit
Posted on: September 10, 2020 | By: Guy Logan | Microsoft Dynamics Manufacturing, Microsoft Dynamics Business Central
As digitization continues to prove its valuable benefits, many manufacturers have found themselves wondering how to start their own digital transformation. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, manufacturers are looking to adopt new technologies that will aid in navigating the impact of the pandemic on supply chains. At the recent inaugural Digital Manufacturing Summit, Microsoft showcased new ways for businesses to adapt to digitization and move toward a more resilient future for manufacturers. By providing free online webinars, product demos, and roundtables, Microsoft worked to invigorate new manufacturing and factory practices and technologies. The summit emphasized that it is more important now than ever to share best practices and innovations that will help the manufacturing community grow. In this blog post, we’ll be highlighting our three biggest takeaways from Microsoft’s Digital Manufacturing Summit.
1. Engage your workforce and customers in new ways
Growing your business in the age of digitization requires new customer and workforce engagement strategies. During the summit, Microsoft held a virtual roundtable that addressed the growing potential of the Open Manufacturing Platform (OMP). This platform aims to drive innovation across value chains and manufacturing communities. Microsoft believes that encouraging collaboration and engagement among business leaders and technologists will help to accelerate manufacturing innovation and solve real-world problems.
2. Operate resilient factories and supply chains
With the ongoing pandemic highlighting the importance of safety, it is important to administer safe and resilient supply chain practices. To support businesses in creating sustainable logistics and manufacturing solutions, Microsoft announced their new alliance with Hitachi to advance next-generation digital manufacturing and logistics solutions across Asia and North America. Together, the companies hope to meet the growing demand for predictive maintenance and process automation in remote manufacturing locations. Ultimately, the partnership hopes to provide new digital logistics solutions to build a safer and more flexible supply chain.
Microsoft has also joined forces with FedEx with the goal of transforming the industry of commerce. By combining FedEx’s expertise on global digital logistics networks and Microsoft’s intelligent cloud, they are aiming to reimagine supply chains and revolutionize commerce.
3. Seek innovations and shape the new normal
To emphasize their commitment to innovation in an unpredictable time of rapid change, Microsoft highlighted a new partnership with Sony Semiconductor Solutions (Sony) and the companies’ goal to create AI-powered smart cameras for their enterprise customers. The collaboration between Microsoft and the imaging giant will allow for easier access to video analytics and business insights, creating new opportunities for a variety of industries, customers, and partners even in a time of remote work. For example, the new smart camera technology would allow for the automatic detection of a retail store shelf in need of a refill or a hazard on the manufacturing floor.
Next steps
More and more manufacturers are relying on new technological solutions to optimize their supply chain and adapt to digitization. For example, Microsoft products like Dynamics 365 allow manufacturers to create next-generation logistics solutions and digitize their businesses. In these challenging times, it is crucial to address your business and technology needs quickly and efficiently. Logan Consulting, a Chicago-based Microsoft partner, has helped numerous companies find the most efficient ERP solutions. Contact us today to learn how our solutions can help transform your business.