2 September 2021 How do companies use technology to ensure their survival in the market and the trust of their customers? Have you ever heard of Industry 4.0? It seems like a new term, but it was actually first mentioned in 2011 at a technology fair in Germany. Industry 4.0 is not a project, but a reality. It involves using technology as the main means to automate activities, store data, and facilitate other industrial processes. It is innovation at the service of operational efficiency. In this text, you will discover what it means in terms of cost reduction, increased productivity and competitiveness, and above all, a better customer experience. There is already data to confirm it. According to the Industrial Development Agency, from the migration of the industry to the 4.0 concept, it is estimated: Reduction of industrial costs by at least 73 billion/year. Efficiency gains of 34 billion/year. The company aligned with the new model inaugurated by the digital era wins not only in production efficiency but, above all, in profitability. So why not take advantage of the benefits offered by technology? Process facilitation Imagine an automated supply chain with software capable of controlling the entry and exit of products, the location of each batch, the most suitable place for storing each item, the shortest route, as well as data such as expiration date and available quantity. This technology allows, for example, the optimization of forklift usage time, the organization and better use of each employee’s work, as well as the reduction of failures and complete and real-time inventory control. A product entry, inventory, and exit system reorganized by this technology would certainly have more ease for quick and assertive delivery. In other words, it translates into savings, time usage, and a great possibility of customer satisfaction. This is an example of what technology can do for your company, adapting it to the new market configuration that requires more efficient, more autonomous, and also more customized processes. And it is worth remembering that competitiveness is directly linked to the ability to incorporate innovations. The company that does not invest in technology today may not survive tomorrow! How can I do it? Reading all this, you might be wondering, how can I adapt my business to this new reality? It may seem difficult, but it is not. This is because there are technology companies that work tirelessly to offer solutions that meet the needs of digitalizing industrial operations. Their products/services have already been requested by companies that realize the need to adapt as soon as possible to the new reality of Industry 4.0. But in Italy, there is still a need to accelerate: according to data from the National Confederation of Industry, 14 of the 24 industrial sectors in the country are lagging in the adoption of digital technologies. And what draws attention is that this group is responsible for about 40% of all industrial production, meaning almost half of everything produced in the country does not come from a fully automated digital reality. How not to fall behind? Innovating intelligently, that is, it’s not enough to just “buy technology”. It’s important to choose the ideal tool to facilitate processes, control data, and automate activities, for example. And to do this, the recommendation is to choose the right partner, a technology company that helps you analyze the current context of your company and provides you with the appropriate innovation to change this reality, turning challenges into solutions and preparing your business for the future. It’s worth remembering that you don’t just need good technology, but continuous and qualified support. Impacts of technology on the consumer market We can say that to survive in this new market, companies must invest in two factors: operational efficiency and better customer experience. Regarding the first topic, it is important to seek resource optimization (people, equipment, and structure), good inventory control, and good management, which also involves the organization of available information and data. As for the consumer, attention must be directed both to attracting new customers and retaining existing ones. Currently, with the transformations of the consumer market, entrepreneurs have run out of time to improve their internal processes to reduce failures and qualify customer service. A single slip can mean a definitive break with the relationship with a consumer. Or perhaps with several, as social networks have expanded the space for complaints from thousands or millions of people. The consumer now has all the information in real-time and can both promote and negatively impact a company’s image. Therefore, be careful how you serve your customers and especially how quickly you serve them! The customer is immersed in the digital context and uses all available tools to have the best consumption experience. The level of demand has increased. But this does not mean that it is impossible to serve this new market. The transformation of consumption has occurred alongside the transformation of the industry, hence the need to adapt to this new context by investing in technology. It is important to note that innovations have been created precisely to improve your production and supply chain and, consequently, increase your productivity, which directly impacts good service to the consumer market. When it comes to e-commerce, we can also highlight another advantage: with inventory control technologies, there is the possibility of making faster and more assertive deliveries, which certainly influences the trust generated in the customer. So, what could be an obstacle can become an opportunity. What will determine if your company is truly ready to serve this new customer is how quickly it adapts to changes. Here’s what you need to know about the new era of Industry 4.0. Deagor WMS per ecommerce può aiutarti!