What smart solutions can help you, as a manufacturer, gain more control over your supply chain? That’s what the SAP Innovation Day for Supply Chain on November 7 in Den Bosch was all about. Paul Lasance, Customer Solution Advisor at SAP, explained the key challenges manufacturers face and how SAP Digital Manufacturing can help. Here’s his story.
By Paul Lasance
Manufacturing is often underestimated. But what do you think is more complex: designing a state-of-the-art rocket or building it? According to Elon Musk, there’s no question—the design phase is exciting, but the production process is far more challenging.
And that process keeps getting more complex. Manufacturers are facing big challenges, especially in the following three areas:
- Agility: customer expectations are constantly evolving, and the same goes for international regulations. As a manufacturer, you need the flexibility to quickly adapt your processes. This requires a high level of flexibility throughout your entire supply chain.
- Resilience: a disruption of your supply chain is always lurking. Whether it’s raw material shortages or logistical problems, any incident can have major consequences. You need to be able to react quickly and adjust production to minimize risks.
- Sustainability: more and more organizations want, or are required, to contribute to a circular economy and you’re likely no exception. You face regulatory and social pressure to produce in an environmentally friendly way and to minimize waste.
SAP Digital Manufacturing helps companies in the manufacturing industry tackle these challenges. The solution connects production processes with the rest of your business, allowing you to leverage real-time data to increase productivity and make better decisions.
Four Benefits of SAP Digital Manufacturing
- Faster response to changes
SAP Digital Manufacturing connects your entire production chain, from design to delivery. Thanks to this streamlined flow and the integration of real-time data, you can respond instantly to disruptions or shifting customer needs without process bottlenecks. - Improved productivity and cost optimization
How efficient is your machine or production line? SAP Digital Manufacturing uses Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) as a key tool to optimize performance. SAP supports OEE by gathering and analyzing relevant data to provide real-time insights. This enables you to make quick, data-driven decisions to improve your production processes and optimize supply chain management. - Enhanced connectivity and collaboration within the chain
A successful digital transformation relies on the connection between IT and OT (operational technology). SAP Digital Manufacturing facilitates this convergence, linking systems across the entire chain, including third parties. You can effortlessly share real-time data and connect internal systems, suppliers, and customers. - Better insight into your sustainability goals
Sustainability is more relevant than ever. SAP Digital Manufacturing supports your compliance efforts and helps you use resources more efficiently. This way, you stay on top of your sustainability goals, gain greater insight into production flows, and minimize waste.
Support with daily challenges
SAP Digital Manufacturing empowers manufacturers to move towards a robust, efficient, and sustainable supply chain. This all-in-one solution supports your daily challenges and strategic objectives. For example, it enables you to…
- … enhance operational efficiency by eliminating data silos and orchestrating end-to-end processes
- … increase agility by streamlining and automating processes
- … reduce production costs with direct access to all relevant business information
- … innovate and automate with Industry 4.0 functionalities, ensuring end-to-end access in the digital supply chain
- … boost operational effectiveness with insight into production performance and process management
Would you like to know more about the possibilities of SAP Digital Manufacturing? Please contact SAP or your account manager. Together, we transform your supply chain.
The SAP Innovation Day for Supply Chain 2025 is scheduled for June 19. Pre-register now to stay informed with the latest updates.