New e-book on digital supply chain readiness

The free downloadable guide is aimed at educating UK manufacturers about the steps they should take to ensure they are fully equipped to embrace the challenges and opportunities that Industry 4.0 presents.

Robotisation, automation and mass customisation are transforming the way UK manufacturing supply chains function and global manufacturing is rapidly moving towards a future where third generation supply networks will be embedded in a fully digitised industrial new age. In preparation for these developments, K3 Syspro is calling on UK manufacturers to review business processes, identify where investment could deliver the greatest benefits and futureproof their businesses for the long term.

Nick McGrane, managing director of K3 Syspro, comments: “There is a lot of uncertainty around the full impact that digital technologies will have on UK manufacturing. Some manufacturers are already quite far down the path towards a fully integrated digital supply network, while others are still many years away from the smart factories and digital supply chains of the future. Wherever manufacturers are in this process, our message is clear: sitting back and doing nothing simply isn’t an option. That’s why we wanted to produce a guide which would provide a more detailed insight into the implications of digital supply networks digital for manufacturers.

K3 Syspro’s e-book explains what is meant by a digital supply chain, where the technology has come from and how it is heading towards a digital supply network. More importantly, it aims to provide a clearer window on its implications for UK industry, pointing out the key areas in which manufacturing supply chain managers should focus their attention.

The e-book goes into more detail about the three fundamental steps that K3 Syspro urges manufacturers to undertake now in order to start their journey towards digital supply networks. These are: to develop an in-depth knowledge of business processes, this is essential to an effective implementation of ERP; to benchmark, focusing on key business drivers and benchmarking against competitors; to review business mechanics and assess the efficiency of production processes.

Working with a number of UK manufacturers, K3 Syspro says it technology is already playing a vital role in creating a foundation for smart and connected factories, forming the backbone of business management and security. ERP solutions such as the company’s Syspro ERP are enabling strong supply chain models to function, helping businesses integrate the value chain, better understand customers, enhance automation, become more responsive, and facilitate a transformation to the factories of the future.

Mr McGrane explains: “The day is fast approaching when everything we do will be driven by technology. Supply chains are incredibly complex and there are few UK manufacturers who already operate a fully digitised supply chain, with end-to-end visibility and a dynamic network.

However, a select number of manufacturers are already successfully using digital technology at every stage in the supply chain. By engaging best-in-class ERP systems such as Syspro ERP to process and harness their data, these companies have both enhanced operational performance and futureproofed their businesses.”

‘Mind the Gap: The Step from Digital Supply Chain to Supply Network’ is available to download from the website.

K3 SYSPRO www.k3syspro.com/digitalsupplychain