Some have called this new age of manufacturing a brand new “industrial age” driven primarily by technology.  In this new era, our manufacturing processes, information and decisions are driven by technological assistance, such as robot workers, or informed through data analytics gathered in real-time by the machines themselves.  Whatever you want to call this new relationship, there are a few big trends to pay attention to in the coming months.  So what’s new?

Information is the new currency.  Data analytics have really revolutionized everything from customer service to healthcare and manufacturing performance.  Knowledge truly is power.  But the challenge for businesses is to become data informed, rather than data driven.  And to protect that data at all costs.

Labor’s future is uncertain.  Demographics are changing in the manufacturing workforce, and it is not a pretty sight.  The workforce is rapidly aging into retirement and the Millennials, the largest generation in history, show very little interest in having an industrial career!  How this will impact the move toward robots as coworkers and the fact that highly sought after skilled labor – meaning technology savvy labor – will impact the shop floor is anyone’s guess at this point.

Technology will continue to grow at a fiery pace – but be careful.  The biggest piece of this new revolution is most certainly the way technology has changed our lives.   Today’s smartphones are capable of outprocessing even the best governmental facility owned computers from the 1960s, and we aren’t slowing down.  Additive manufacturing and nanotechnology will likely provide most of the big breakthroughs in the future.  But that technology comes with a set of risks, and cybersecurity is the most pressing of them all.

The wheels of progress are turning faster than they ever have before.  By keeping an eye on the field, you can stay ahead of the curve with quality equipment upgrades and careful planning.  Working with a partner like Komax can help you identify the areas of your plant you want to upgrade and the problems you’ve encountered that need a customized solution.  Trust our experience to enhance your growth in the future.