Consider the events of the past 18 months: the social, business, and economic disruption caused by the pandemic has unexpectedly and permanently changed how manufacturers operate, with many traditional methods of operation now inefficient or ineffective.

How can industry 4.0 help manufacturing during COVID - 19

Manufacturers know that nothing is static - they constantly need to adjust and adapt to accommodate the everchanging world around them:

They need to battle existing and new competitors
They need to respond to ever-increasing customer expectations
They need to manage the challenges associated with changing regulations and geopolitical activity

New Competitors

Rivals and newcomers are leveraging new business models to create competitive offerings.

To stay ahead, you need to think about redefining or revisiting your core strengths and capabilities so you can create new value for the market and your customers

Changing regulations

With changes to accounting rules, privacy laws, and regulatory policies, manufacturers face a consistent risk of disruption to their operational efficiency.

TIn response they need to be able to shift resources, production, and funds, with minimal disruption.

Customer expectations

Customers are abandoning traditional transaction models for new ways of engagement – option to lease, time share, subscribe, pay-per-X.

They are no longer willing to accommodate inflexible solutions – instead they want smart products and solutions that fit their exact needs.

If a manufacturer is going to survive, it needs to be willing and able to recognize, adapt, and lead in face of the changes that surround it.

The integration of technology into manufacturing business processes is nothing new. Whether it's production, sourcing, customer engagement, backend operations, or employee engagement, manufacturers are using technology more and more to get the job done.

To help manufacturers continue to run ahead of these changes, build a trusted brand, and lead the transformation of the industry, SAP has identified 5 areas where manufacturers can focus on, innovate, and lead.

Five strategies for innovation and leadership by manufacturers

Intelligent Supply Networks

Instead of a traditional, linear supply chain, become a part of trusted, global intelligent business network

Smart Products

Create products that leverage intelligent technology to enhance and extend their original purpose

Consumption Based Business Models

With subcription and usage-based services, your customers will have the freedom to try new technology with lower risks

Consumer Intimacy

Provide amazing sales & service experiences. Make product roadmap decisions based on real time usage analytics

Segment of one

Anable mass customization without disrupting business processes or cost controls

The intelligent enterprise solution

Becoming an intelligent enterprise can help manufacturers take the steps to capitalize on the opportunities listed above and to transform their industry. Essentially, intelligent enterprises are those companies that run agile, integrated business processes and use intelligent technology, such as AI, machine learning, and Internet of Things to apply leading-edge industry best practices, and work together to build flexible value chains.

As a result, they can help manufacturers run their best, achieving the productivity and efficiency gains, develop new business models and uncover new revenue streams.

They will also be able to offer the best employee experience, best product and services, and deliver the best customer experience. They will be able to manage spend, run efficiently, make confident decisions, and innovate.

They will be able to break down silos and integrate their processes so everything runs seamlessly.

Components of the intelligent enterprise framework

SAP Intelligent Suite + Industry Packages

Intelligent ERP that supports industry-specific best practices and business models

SAP Business Networks

Create dynamic, digital connections with supplies, logistics providers & asset providers across the world's largest business network

SAP Business Technology Platform

Complement, extend and integreate with other solutions to extend the functionality of your investment

SAP Business processes Intelligent

Analyze your processes against industry standards & get tailored recommendations to best transform your operations

RISE with SAP - Your guided path to the intelligent enterprise

We understand that the journey to becoming an agile and efficient manufacturing organization isn't completed in a single step. This is why we offer RISE with SAP, designed to help you to grow your enterprise, regardless of where your organization stands presently, one step at a time, at a rate that works best for you.

RISE with SAP offers customers at all stages of digital transformation a completely new way to redesign business processes for better outcomes.

The Rise with SAP Package

SAP modular cloud ERP with digital processes, improved decision making and automation, for the resiliency and agility you need

Receive insights on the changes you need to implement, which is most impactful to your organization

Complement, extend and integrate with any other solution through prebuilt integrattions

Connect your supply cahin into a unified, collaborative, and intelligent network

SAP-hosted or hyperscaler approuch to receive high performance and reliability at scale

See what other manufacturers are doing

Learn how an industrial process service provider, reduced production and manufacturing costs by sharing detailed design information across the company

Learn how a biotech company optimized its product development by integrating its ERP data with its design data

Learn how a building equipment maker unified manufacturing along their 19 production lines to better manage and tract production

Learn how a food packaging giant leveraged SAP solutions to strengthen the relationship with their customers

Let's talk!

We'd love to better understand your specific needs when it comes to dealing with your day-to-day business realities. Provide us with your contact info in the form below, and we'll be in touch!

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