In today’s volatile markets, success for manufacturers comes down to agility, efficiency, and innovation. For manufacturers looking to stay competitive, the real question isn’t “should we modernise," but how do we maximise the impact of our modernisation?
You may have upgraded your ERP, CRM, or supply chain systems. Or you’re in the process of doing so. Either way, planning for what comes next is important. How do you move from a modernised foundation to true business transformation?
From optimisation to innovation
There’s no single path to transformation. Every manufacturer has different priorities, whether it’s increasing competitiveness, improving production efficiency, building supply chain resilience, streamlining operations, or reducing costs.
That’s why we created A Roadmap from Modernisation to Transformation. It’s a guide to help manufacturers identify the right digital initiatives, balance execution with innovation, and move beyond system upgrades to business transformation.
Your IT transformation roadmap: where to start?
A modern, integrated technology platform is a launchpad for transformation. But with so many possibilities — particularly in the field of AI, analytics and automation — where should manufacturers focus first?
65% of organisations regularly use generative AI in at least one business function, nearly doubling from the previous year (McKinsey, May 2024).
Here’s how you can approach it:
1. Identify quick wins to deliver immediate value
Rather than launching large-scale transformation projects with uncertain returns, start with practical, high-impact use cases for AI that solve real business problems.
- Pinpoint areas where manual processes slow down operations. Are finance teams spending too much time on reconciliations? Is order management a multi-step process that could be automated? Are customer interactions inconsistent across touchpoints?
- Consider and define your ROI metrics upfront. Will you measure time saved, error reduction or revenue uplift? These are indicators of business value rather than simply technology deployment success.
- Leverage your existing platform capabilities. AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and automation within Dynamics 365 can help create efficiencies with minimal setup.
2. Scale AI projects for operational transformation
Once quick wins prove their value, the next step is scaling AI, automation, and data intelligence across the entire manufacturing process.
Some of the manufacturing workflows you could be considering include predictive maintenance and real-time data analysis for better decision making.
The goal is to create a connected, real-time digital ecosystem. One that integrates ERP, CRM, and manufacturing execution systems (MES) to create a unified view of your business.
3. Find a competitive advantage with AI-powered manufacturing models
The most transformative organisations go beyond automation. They monetise their data through entirely new digital business models, including:
- Smart factory models and digital twins
- IoT-enabled provenance and supply chain solutions
- AI-powered dynamic pricing and smart inventory allocation,
- Personalised customer loyalty programs at scale
There is also the opportunity to create new products and services based on insights from your data.
The next step in your manufacturing transformation journey
The manufacturers leading their industries aren’t just adopting new technology — they’re redefining how they operate. With the right roadmap, you can move beyond optimising your current processes to create a manufacturing business that is agile, innovative, and ready for the future.
Our latest guide, A Roadmap from Modernisation to Transformation, outlines a step-by-step approach to help manufacturers maximise their technology investment and drive real business impact.
