Guide to Manufacturing Software

In addition to contributing to the hype surrounding the Internet of Things (IoT), experts called for continued digitalization and smarter manufacturing, shifting to customer-centric operations, adoption of mobile and social platforms, and, of course, cloud deployment.

But despite this optimism about the “Factory of the Future,” 2015 ended with a cautiousness that continues.

A January 2016 report from PwC reveals a reduction in forecasted growth for US industrial manufacturers.

World economic optimism is down overall. To overcome this downturn, manufacturers will need to prioritize their investments and make incremental steps toward their personalized vision of the future.

As always, trends are varying by vertical. In the automotive industry, growth will come via mergers and acquisitions and innovation due to an increased investment in R & D.2 For aerospace and defense companies, new technologies will be essential for navigating dwindling municipal budgets and stagnant hiring. Across the board, though, being more responsive to customers will be paramount for manufacturers.

In a recent report, IDC predicts that manufacturers that invest in “customer-centricity” will gain market share growth by 2% to 3%.3 Will your company come out on top?

Read on to see how the right software can help you continue to grow your market share.