The year 2021 is coming to an end. We researched and gathered some information about 9 manufacturing trends you better keep an eye on in 2022.
Learn more about Industry 4.0, Big Data & Data Mining, Predictive Maintenance, IoT, Smart Devices & more:
For years, Industry 4.0 has been a well-known term in manufacturing. Industry 4.0 refers to a new phase in the Industrial Revolution that focuses on interconnectivity, automation, machine learning, and real-time data. Recent trends such as IoT and the cloud contribute to making Industry 4.0 possible. Although everybody talks about it, many organizations are still in their transitioning stages.
But we are sure: This trend will continue in 2022 & the years after.
Big data and data mining are essential with interest in IoT and Predictive Maintenance. Every input and move is registered and can be studied. Collecting real-time data from various sources allows organizations to get a clearer picture of their operations. It will enable them to find death time, loopholes, and better ways to manage productivity. In the long run, this leads to a higher revenue due to better forecasting and planning.
Big data allows companies to plan better. Inevitable failures, e.g., due to a lack of maintenance, can be predicted, and unplanned downtimes avoided. A single hour of downtime may cost a hundred thousand dollars. So, preventing downtimes and extending machine lifetimes by adopting preventative maintenance strategies are essential to keep unnecessary costs down.
Another example of new technology that has had a massive impact on the industry and will continue to do so in 2022 is 3D Printing. It is compelling when used to handle obsolete parts and reproduce parts that are not available anymore.
IoT, the Internet of Things, describes a rapidly growing network of connected objects that can collect and exchange data in real-time. In manufacturing, IoT refers to digitally connected machines and assembly lines. Smart factories ensure more productivity and efficiency for the company and more safety for the employees.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, rising fuel costs, global trade shutdowns, and new tax incentives, many companies are going back from offshore to onshore manufacturing. Additionally, AI solutions help to save labor costs and thus support this decision.
The manufacturing industry slowly shifts from only concentrating on B2B towards focusing on the end customer too. Manufacturers need this re-focus to keep up with the modern (digital) consumer and recoup the global pandemic costs.
The instant feedback, higher margins, increased profits, brand control, and more insights due to customer data gathered are only some of the many benefits for organizations who choose to transition from a B2B to a B2C model.
Some industrial manufacturers have already started to use VR and AR solutions in their daily operations, especially in field service management. This trend will continue for the foreseeable future. With AR and VR, Service technicians can conduct guided repairs remotely – even across different countries & continents. Companies save time and money, enable less experienced employees, and keep them safe and less exposed to risks.
Customers in all industries are now used to intelligent products that make their lives easier. The whole world is connected, and customers benefit from virtual assistants and other smart devices. The same thing is happening inside factories. Companies start investing in smart technology for their shop floors, production processes, and supply chain to increase operational efficiency.
Partium Enterprise Part Search is one of those smart devices for the industry. With a simple image taken with a mobile device camera (smartphone, tablet), users can find spares & DIY parts in no time. The Partium Suite is composed of API, SDK, and mobile app, which means it can be integrated into or connected to supplier portals, on-premise solutions, the intranet, E-commerce solutions, SaaS solutions, CRM, or any other solution business-specific software.
After the successful part identification, users can process the search results directly in the particular application and access notes, checklists, documents, the bill of materials, stock levels, webshops, and other information needed for maintenance, after-sales & service.
Do you want to know how it works? Get a Sneak Peek of Partium in our demo video.
If you want to see the full demo, please get in touch with us here.