AI AUTOMATION
68 simulation , the idea of a digital twin of a factory can become a reality . Automation will continue , with the use of robots and cobots as well as flexible , small-batch manufacturing technologies . We are already seeing companies rethink what should be done in-house and what should be externally . I envision more distributed manufacturing and networks that can rapidly adjust based on the needs of the customer or changing supplier environments . Continued tighter integration with customers , engineering and suppliers will enable factories to rapidly respond to changes in customer preferences or supply profile .
What ’ s next for PwC and the manufacturing industry over the coming years ?
What comes next is all about improving digital IQ and experience . These are exciting times of rapid innovation and change . We are in the middle of a digital transformation , upskilling the entire workforce , developing and using innovative technologies to deliver value for our clients . We continue to evolve our digital operations intelligence tools . We are creating tailored and flexible analytics that are light-weight and sit on top of existing applications . The manufacturing industry needs to evolve quickly , with a lot more emphasis on services and software instead of just physical products .
NOVEMBER 2020