RPA has been around for a relatively long time in manufacturing to emulate repetitive, mundane human tasks. But now new possibilities arise with the introduction of analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and software automation. Manufacturers can now use this advanced technology across the entire manufacturing value chain to improve productivity and growth.
Automation was first introduced into the production side of manufacturing to reduce headcount. Physical robots accelerated the factory output and allowed employees to focus on high-value tasks, such as procurement, supply chain and transportation.
AI
Up until now, this system has worked successfully. But with the introduction of analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and software automation, manufacturers can now use this advanced technology across the entire value chain to improve productivity and growth. Software automation known as Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can emulate the repetitive, mundane human tasks performed on a computer and free up an employee to work on more meaningful tasks.
In the last decade, AI and automation were used in consumer-facing products. For example, Netflix using AI to predict consumer content preferences, Amazon implementing AI to better understand search queries, and Uber to manage rider and driver logistics.
Impact
Over the past five years the combination of RPA and AI has shifted to increasingly being implemented in industrial enterprise. Predictions from Gartner suggest that 90% of large organisations will have deployed some form of RPA by 2022, with 80% of those organisations introducing AI.
Applying RPA in manufacturing has proven to have a major impact on the overall performance of the business. According to a report by the Global Lighthouse Network (McKinsey and World Economic Forum), manufacturers who are early adopters of technologies like RPA and AI report 30-90% acceleration to the time to market, and up to 200% of factory output increase. Contrary to popular understanding, RPA robots can be deployed across every business unit, including customer service, sales, finance, and R&D.
Freeing employees
In supply chain, RPA can be implemented to automate purchase order management, as well as tender and bid processes. It can streamline order entries, invoicing and import processes of goods at the factory level. At the order management level, RPA can also enable order delivery status, lead time reporting, and transit shipment processing.
Not only that, automation by freeing employees of repetitive work, provides them more time to develop innovative ideas, focus on higher-value tasks such as problem-solving, and finding solutions. This not only empowers employees but leads to increased job satisfaction, fueling productivity and high rates of customer satisfaction.
There’s no doubt RPA, advanced analytics and AI will continue to transform the manufacturing industry.
While manufacturers are beginning to apply these technologies, a majority are yet to realise the true value of leveraging software automation across the value chain.
Disruption
The industry is undergoing continuous disruption and operational capability will always remain a differentiator. By identifying areas of automation across the entire value chain, manufacturers can increase efficiency, capability, and productivity across the entire organisation, enabling them to stay competitive.
Sebastian Seutter is Global Manufacturing Lead at UiPath
