Latest updates and insights from Kerridge Commercial Systems

As we have discussed in great detail on our blog, the Internet of Things (IoT) has changed how manufacturers operate. While the move is undoubtedly positive, offering numerous benefits, the increased use of connected devices has made manufacturers more vulnerable to cyberattack. 

It seems like only yesterday we published our review of the Annual Manufacturing Report 2017. Since then, manufacturing has been a whirlwind of data, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Brexit uncertainty — and before you’ve had time to think, 2018’s edition of the report has landed on your desk.

In this blog post, we present you with a rundown of the biggest talking points from this year’s release for some easy lunchtime reading:

There’s no such thing as a million dollar idea, declares American entrepreneur Aaron Patzer on the topic of the start-up he sold for $170 million, 3 years after launch. He goes on to explain that your greatest business concept, however hungry the market, is useless if you’re unable to execute your idea.

What would you like your business to achieve in the next 12 months? Perhaps you know what you want to achieve, but simply don’t know how to get there. 

Businesses are never without their challenges — and strategizing to overcome them is what makes business so exciting. Some of these challenges are present across-sectors, while others are more niche to a particular industry.

In this blog post, I will discuss the challenges big and small that operational directors in manufacturing are facing, and how the right ERP software solution can help overcome them.

As processes develop and guidelines change, compliance with rules and regulations has never been more important for manufacturers. Thankfully, the time-consuming compliance checks of times gone by have been streamlined through technological advances. Now, with the right ERP software in place, manufacturers can enjoy tighter controls and more efficient processes.

To say the Internet of Things (IoT) is a hot topic within the manufacturing industry would be an understatement. As we’ve discussed in depth right here on our blog, IoT is disrupting past ways of working, digitalizing processes to drive efficiencies and increase business intelligence.

Machines are the driving force in manufacturing. Because they play such a huge part in the production line, it’s very tempting to ignore the warning signs of fatigue, wear and tear in the hope that issues will never materialise. After all, carrying out machine maintenance and pressing pause on production will ultimately lead to a monetary loss, won’t it?

For many decision-makers, a new tool or piece of software is the answer to all of their problems —once they’ve signed on the dotted line, they expect instant results. And of course, if you’ve made the right purchasing decisions, this should be largely true. However, before you can reap the benefits of your new solution, you’ll need to ensure it has been implemented correctly.

In manufacturing, a Bill of Materials is essential — and inaccuracies can have a huge impact on your overall output and efficiencies. In this blog post, I will discuss just how substantial these impacts can be, as well as how you can avoid them.

As factories and processes become increasingly digitalized, the threat of a cyberattack is growing. With hacking regularly making the headlines — think back to 2017’s WannaCry ransomware attack — you would assume that manufacturers had put safeguarding measures in place to prevent a similar threat from disrupting their operations. However, government research has found that this isn’t exactly the case.

The very nature of manufacturing means that waste is a real issue. Whether it’s energy by-products emitted by machinery or offcuts of materials used in the manufacturing process, minimising wastage is a priority for every manufacturer and not just in terms of cost.

Starting a new ERP project is not without its difficulties — without the correct planning in place. As the saying goes, fail to prepare and prepare to fail. Put the legwork in now and hit the ground running once your ERP software is fully implemented.

Working in manufacturing and technology, we’re familiar with acronyms. From ERP to CRM, the latest jumble of letters hitting the headlines is GDPR — the General Data Protection Regulation. But what is it and how is it set to impact manufacturers?

In this blog post, I will be discussing the cutting-edge technology of the 1870s. You may be wondering whether I’ve lost my mind— “the 1870s? That’s not relevant to me”. Before you hit that back button, hear me out; we can learn a lot more from nineteenth century manufacturing than you may think.

On 26th July 2017, the UK was taken aback by the government’s announcement to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2040 onwards in an attempt to tackle Britain’s problem with pollution.

With markets becoming even more competitive and boundaries blurring further, being a manufacturer is no longer as simple as making things. The industry as a whole is in the midst of a servitization transformation, as manufacturers venture into the services field — a space that was traditionally reserved for specialist service providers.

As a busy manufacturer, you might wonder how much time you can realistically spare to keep up to date with industry resources and blogs. After all, it’s time that could be spent elsewhere, managing the factory floor or handling other business-critical activities. However, the real question is: can you afford not to keep up to date?

The aviation market in the UK is strong. According to a report from January 2016, our aviation industry achieves an annual turnover of over £60 billion, with exports alone worth £26 billion. Of this sum, £52 billion is contributed to the UK economy.

As a manufacturer, you’ll already understand the importance of your warehouse within your business. As the place where raw materials arrive and are stored, as well as where finished products are kept before shipment, your warehouse is a hub of activity. Without effective warehouse management, your entire set-up could descend into chaos — with disastrous consequences for your supply chain.

You’ll likely have already heard the terms Internet of Things (IoT) or Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) bandied around. However, if you’ve put them down as simply being the latest in a long line of manufacturing buzzwords, you’re very much mistaken.

The UK’s automotive manufacturing industry has an annual turnover of £69.5 billion, contributing £15.5 billion to the economy. Over 30 vehicle manufacturers produce more than 70 car models in the UK alone — a process that wouldn’t be possible without the support of the automotive aftermarket including over 2,000 car parts manufacturers.

Challenged with meeting difficult regulations and a saturated, cut-throat market, chemical manufacturers operate in a notoriously difficult sphere. Manufacturers operate to tight deadlines with tight costs and even tighter regulations. As such, it’s very easy for chemical manufacturers to become creatures of habit and confine themselves to manufacturing processes that get the job done but at a cost to overall productivity.

Let’s talk: communication in manufacturing

As you’ll already know, manufacturing is all about supply and demand. Unfortunately, the systems we have in place often make this process significantly more complex. From managing a lengthy supply chain to monitoring the key production processes, many steps are involved in manufacturing — and visibility and awareness of each is key.