Manufacturing Turns to the Cloud
Posted October 10th, 2013
Today, manufacturers need to:
- Meet increased demand while translating that growth into profits
- Streamline processes to manage global supply chains
- Cut unnecessary steps out of operations to increase process speed
- Increase accuracy to boost profit margins
To do this effectively, real-time information is required.
Historically, manufacturing companies have used on-site Enterprise Resource Planning (or ERP) software to manage their financial operations as well as their factory and/or shop floors and then bolted on business information systems (BIS) from various vendors to analyze and form actionable insights from the data.
Therefore, in order to streamline many of the key areas of their business, many of the best manufacturers are starting to evaluate and adopt cloud-based solution packages across their enterprises. In fact, according to Forbes magazine, 22% of all manufacturing and distribution software being implemented today is cloud-based. This is expected to grow to 45% by 2023.
Cloud-based versions (also known as software as a service…or SaaS) of manufacturing-related software fall into 3 broad (and sometimes intersecting) categories. These include:
- ERP
- Targeted mobile-interface applications, which allow monitoring and interaction with machines via smartphones and other mobile devices
- Collaborative design and engineering software applications
These applications address manufacturer’s needs head-on, allowing them to focus on new product development and sales. They allow manufacturers to operate more efficiently in many ways by providing the latest technology, with deep functionality and flexibility at lower costs than the traditional on-site systems. For example SaaS manufacturing solutions:
- Eliminate the need for hardware maintenance or software application development
- Reduce the need for IT resources to maintain any on-site systems
- Provide a significant reduction in the software upgrade cycle
- Offer access to highly configurable and sophisticated packages
- Enable manufacturing collaboration between mobile workers, vendors and other companies in the supply chain
- Allows companies to obtain and use important information gathered from business intelligence systems.
Manufacturers have historically operated on very thin profit margins, and in today’s hyper-competitive global marketplace, the pressure on profit margins is increasing – not decreasing. Cloud computing manufacturing solutions now allow companies to increase their cost savings while further streamlining their profits.
Bayside understands how quickly technology can change. We can provide the specialized expertise you need for your manufacturing workplace. Whether you are looking to build a team, embrace flexibility or control costs, Bayside can provide you with the talent you need to succeed. With over 12 years of expertise, Bayside Solutions understands the complexities of the manufacturing market, and can put the most qualified professionals with the right skills on your team.
If you are looking for manufacturing staffing agencies in the San Francisco Bay area, contact Bayside Solutions today.
