The manufacturing industry is not unfamiliar with new technology. This is a sector that knows how to take advantage of new tools to increase efficiency. Think about the introduction of electricity or computing. These technology shifts always have at their core the recognition of a new resource, and then the harnessing of that resource. Today, that resource is cloud computing, and manufacturers are already exploring it. Cloud computing has the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing industry.
Already, manufacturers use mobile reporting, online dashboards and automation, all of which tie into the cloud. However, the use of the cloud in the production sector can go even further than this.
Manufacturing organizations face huge challenges that the cloud is ready to take on, including regulatory and compliance requirements, the introduction of big data, the demand for efficiency, a pressure to innovate rapidly, a global marketplace, security, and much more. While manufacturers have made small moves towards the cloud, fully embracing it can help address these challenges.