Tackling uncertainty in the manufacturing industry with hyperautomation

Just three years ago in 2019, no one would have expected that the world would be battling a global pandemic at the turn of the new decade. The global health crisis disrupted business and lifestyles, and the manufacturing industry was not spared as well. Unsurprisingly, factories that were most affected by the shifts in business needs and remote work arrangements were the ones that were lagging behind in digital transformation.

One of the key themes of 2020, and this pandemic era, is uncertainty. The sudden and unexpected changes caught many off guard. Not even mature industries, like manufacturing, were spared from the need to digitise their operations and products quickly. The post-pandemic world will continue to be influenced by the digital trends that have taken root in 2020. As such, several experts have highlighted the importance of hyperautomation in preparing manufacturing businesses for uncertainties in the future.

What is hyperautomation, and how does it prepare businesses for the future?

Hyperautomation is a disciplined business approach that organisations use to quickly identify, vet, and automate all operations that can be automated. From robotic process automation (RPA), artificial intelligence (AI), to low-code application platforms, these are foundational automation technologies that organisations should incorporate in their journey towards hyperautomation.

Importantly, data is key when it comes to automation. Monitoring and data analytics platforms are also solutions that should be implemented within factories to facilitate the move towards hyperautomation.

Automation plays a critical role in helping businesses predict and prepare for future circumstances, such as supply and demand changes or overproduction. These unforeseen situations, which can have a severe impact on business revenue, can be mitigated when they are identified in advance using automation and predictive technologies.

Nimbleness as a key value to complement hyperautomation

A key quality that organisations should inculcate is nimbleness – that is the ability to quickly pivot operations and shift milestones depending on the changes in business environment.

Manufacturing industries, which are known to be heavyweight, mature, and slow to change, need to change mindsets in order to adapt to the digital-first economy. Enterprise customers, with access to digital services, demand for faster reaction and customer support when they need to implement solutions or when they need help with resolving issues.

Educating employees to adopt an agile mindset, and using collaborative digital tools to facilitate effective communications and better teamwork is an important key to ensure success after implementing hyperautomation solutions.

To find out more about what automation solutions your company needs, contact one of our experts today!