Nick McGrane – K3 Syspro

In this article Nick McGrane, managing director at production control software specialist K3 SYSPRO discusses how integrating ERP systems with Industry 4.0 can strengthen the hard-hit aerospace industry.

The aerospace industry has had to overcome its fair share of uncertainty throughout 2020. Earlier this year, we were debating about the regulatory divergence dilemma posed by Brexit, with many left wondering whether the aerospace industry would continue to stay aligned with European aviation regulations.

More recently, aerospace businesses have felt the impact of strained supply chains and fluctuating demand from the pandemic. One thing though remained consistent throughout these challenges – aerospace organisations need to be flexible to survive.

Challenges are being faced on two fronts: shifting regulation and constantly evolving technology. Globalisation, the emergence of the digital economy and the transition towards largely user-driven ecosystems, continue to disrupt old business models leaving many manufacturers grappling to not only remain competitive but also relevant.

The introduction of cutting-edge technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Bots into the sector are rapidly ushering in quicker, smarter and cheaper ways of doing things. Commonly referred to as Industry 4.0, businesses across many sectors are waking up to the efficiencies which can be driven by the latest technology. Meanwhile, compliance with regulations is still a primary concern, so anticipating changes on this front remains a focus.

Make the most of what you have

Whilst also faced with external trade pressures and adapting processes to comply with shifting regulations, keeping up with technology developments can often slip down the list of priorities. However, there is one area which can be addressed to help manufacturing organisations embrace Industry 4.0 without a significant time and resource investment.

A low-cost approach to Industry 4.0 maximises the technology already available to aerospace manufacturers throughout the supply chain. This helps individual applications to connect and collaborate with each other. Also, it empowers employees to make faster, more informed decisions to improve existing business processes and add even greater value to customers.

Having an Industry 4.0 compliant Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system enables businesses to revolutionise their existing technology estate, without the need for a wider tech overhaul. By underpinning existing technology with an evolving, intelligent and all-encompassing system, benefits can be felt across the entire business. In fact, those without this technology at the back end are falling drastically behind. A study by The Aberdeen Group found that a lack of ERP software can lead to redundant data, unaligned business systems, and the inability to track business processes in real-time.

At a time when manufacturing is becoming a more complex landscape, a supply chain which is connected by a smart ERP system can help businesses improve customer and supplier relationships. In addition to this, it can help boost productivity, increase innovation and continue to grow with a positive effect on all aspects of a business.

Visibility throughout the supply chain

One example of how technology can support aerospace manufacturers and distributors during periods of change, can be seen in how state-of-the-art ERP solutions improve supply chain visibility. Moving scheduling, visual advanced planning and traceability to a smart, Industry 4.0 ready system is vital in managing the compliance processes. Having the right technology in place makes this process easier.

Traceability is especially challenging because problems can occur at any point along your supply chain, from R&D through materials handling to assembly and shipping. Being able to schedule quickly and accurately will reduce downtime and enable manufacturers to maximise order fulfilment and resource utilisation, collect data from the shopfloor and track employees, equipment and orders in real-time.

In uncertain times, the ability to act and react quickly is invaluable. This will lead to a reduction in loss and will drive continuous improvement. In addition to this, an Industry 4.0 compliant ERP system would be able to monitor how your supply chain and your own production line is tracking against the regulations that are required. To make a real difference here, these solutions need to be a secure platform that minimises manual processes and allows for efficient monitoring and documentation of complex information flows.

Aerospace manufacturers need to be able to adapt to market changes at a moment’s notice. Increasingly too, they need to be able to predict them. The last six months have seen disruption across manufacturing supply chains, and simply surviving the current challenges of COVID is not enough. We must be prepared for new challenges on the horizon. The only way to do this is through smart, visible manufacturing processes, powered by Industry 4.0 and real-time data analytics.

www.k3syspro.com

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Source: https://www.aero-mag.com/keeping-aerospace-flying-with-low-cost-industry-4-0/