Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/278800
24 | /insight on manufacturing • March 2014 w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m Today's manufacTuring indusTry requires companies to be deliberate in their efforts to expand offerings while keeping costs down. ey're pushing boundaries to support vertical and horizontal integration, and as they do so, they're increasing their value to customers. for manufacturers to support this growth, they need to invest in technology and seek out workers who are comfortable with these new tools. as technology continues to transform the industry, manufacturers must keep an eye on the latest developments to see how they could use them to continue transforming their operations. many manufacturers are already well on their way to using these new technologies to become leaner, more successful organizations. Technology solutions that streamline and automate manual processes are particularly promising because they support accuracy and efficiency. e more automation you have, the fewer skilled workers you'll need, a key benefit because these workers are increasingly in short supply. in other words, it's a way "to do more with less." To help manufacturers in northeast Wisconsin follow the latest technology and innovation trends, Wipfli LLP, cPas and consultants, launched "manufacturing Tomorrow," a regular news service provided by our manufacturing technology experts. e new manufacturing Tomorrow blog features a concise collection of innovation and technology news, tips, insights and analysis specifically for the manufacturing industry. Blog posts have covered a variety of topics such as mobile solutions, workflow visibility, collaborative problem solving, overall equipment effectiveness, employee engagement and process improvement. manufacturers are increasingly open to adopting new technologies to improve their operations, according to an article by gary Kane on the omasnet news website. a survey of more than 1,200 industry professionals found that 42 percent of companies implemented new technologies in the past three years, including cad, cnc equipment and cloud computing. "irty years ago, few would have pointed to the manufacturing sector as a hotbed of technological innovation," Kane's article notes. "yet today, technology permeates every aspect of manufacturing, from design engineering to the assembly line to marketing and sales." With technology advancements in manufacturing, more companies are putting devices in the hands of people who are doing the work. is empowers employees to input, monitor and use this data to improve operations. at creates uncertainty for managers and supervisors, Technology in the manufacturing environment Transforming decision-making, collaboration and productivity INSIGHT FROM ... Mark StevenS, Wipfli LLP, CPas & Consultants Technology solutions that streamline and automate manual processes are particularly promising because they support accuracy and efficiency. The more automation you have, the fewer skilled workers you'll need, a key benefit because these workers are increasingly in short supply. In other words, it's a way "to do more with less."