Paperless manufacturing is revolutionising the way factories now manage, coordinate, and report various activities through the use of digital tools.
Digitalisation or digital disruption has proven to be an effective strategy for more streamlined work order management, for example, helping organisations maintain quality standards, all the while ensuring that they are on top of compliance matters.
However, despite the often glaring benefits of going paperless in manufacturing and logistics, the main method for keeping track of production activities is still paper-based documents, even though given some of its inherent drawbacks:
Paperless manufacturing refers to using digital systems, apps, software, and platforms to oversee and document all the various manufacturing processes, thus, doing away with the need to rely on traditional paper-based methods.
As part of paperless manufacturing, organisations can quickly carry out quality assessment, convert compliance documents into digital formats, and streamline operations in order to improve efficiency.
According to multiple case studies, paperless manufacturing systems can dramatically reduce the time operators may spend on manual data entry – an estimated 50-85%, depending on the specific tasks they are engaged in.
Moreover, this digital approach to record keeping in manufacturing can better mitigate the risk of erroneous data entry by automating calculations, and also by alerting the user to automated alerts upon incorrect data inputs, as well as auto-populating specific fields to save time.
Software or mobile apps designed to eliminate physical paperwork from manufacturing can noticeably enhance the tracking and management of QC processes. Through real-time identification of issues and real-time information on deviations, users can take a proactive approach rather than a reactive one by receiving timely notifications on their mobile phones, computers, wearables, or other mobile devices. Similarly, any quality control-related deviations can be addressed on the fly with minimal disruption to daily operations.
Digital manufacturing solutions can improve data integrity and security through many key features, namely:
Restricted access – Integrated capabilities in the paperless manufacturing software would allow global administrators to control and manage user permissions, deciding which users can access or enter data for specific lines and machines.
E-signatures – Electronic signature capabilities would ensure that data entries are only attributed to their true/original creators, which will enhance traceability and accountability across all operations.
Version control & document management – A bespoke software or mobile app can allow for more systematic organisation, storage and retrieval of important company documents, such as Batch Records, Forms, Logbooks, etc.
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Operations management in Manufacturing and Warehousing is at the forefront of change, utilising modern technologies as well as disciples to not only address the latest string of operational challenges, but also keep organisations running like a well-oiled machine, all the while maximising both productivity and profitability.
The main goal of any businesses engaged in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics is to improve the accuracy of order fulfilment, minimise operational costs, and optimise resource allocation. The advent of digitalisation and other disruptive technologies in warehouse management and logistics, which we’ll be discussing shortly, have paved the way for businesses in the sector to increase revenues and improve operational efficiencies across the board – among other things.
Supply chain sustainability refers to effectively managing the social, economic, and environmental factors within an organisation’s supply chain. A very important aspect of this sustainability initiative is recognising and acknowledging the link between a manufacturing company and the broader ecosystem they may be impacting – and then coming up with responsible business practices to make all aspects of the supply chain sustainable.
As we eagerly look to a bright and productive year ahead, the UK’s logistics sector is at a bit of crossroads, so to speak, poised for disruption amid a backdrop of regulatory shifts, technological evolution, and global economic dynamics.
In a recent report released by The Manufacturers’ Organisation, half of the companies surveyed are upping their investment in automation technologies, especially AI and ML, with almost ¾ of companies now spending more openly on automation across multiple technologies and functions – from product design and development to manufacturing and warehousing operations.
Organisations working in high-risk industries like manufacturing, warehousing, supply chain, and logistics, are well aware of the risks and potential hazards their workers face each day. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, many businesses do not have the appropriate health and safety controls to minimise risk and hazards at the workplace.
According to an HSE report, around 54,000 workers are involved in non-fatal accidents in the manufacturing sector each year. Most of the injuries they suffer are a direct result of manual handling accidents, trips, slips, and falls, contact with moving machinery, and being struck by moving objects.
It is estimated that the logistics industry will grow at a CAGR of 10-12%, reaching a value of $380 million by 2025. A large driver of this growth will be technology and automation – from robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) to artificial intelligence (AI), better integration of the various ecosystems involved, digitisation of processes, and more.
Supply chain inspections often prove to be a challenge, even for leading, well-established companies. However, standardisation has now become one of the chief methods of optimising the greater supply chain and ensuring that all managers, departments, and teams are on the same page.
According to a 2019 report published by the Journal of International Logistics and Trade, political unrest are among the leading causes of supply chain disruptions. A SAP survey reported that 58% of US business leaders believe supply chain problems primarily stem due to global political unrest.
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