The COVID-19 pandemic forced manufacturers to contend with parts shortages and production delays, all of which exposed long-standing weaknesses, such as the lack of integration between disparate systems and operational inefficiencies. In fact, six out 10 manufacturers felt the impact of supply chain disruptions during the pandemic, while almost half (47 percent) of manufacturing businesses couldn’t function because they were dependent on on-premises systems that were unreachable during lockdowns, according to a December 2020 survey of manufacturing leaders.
Although these businesses are still in the process of recovering from the effects of the pandemic, forward-thinking manufacturers are already preparing to ensure they are able to thrive once COVID-19 finally recedes, and to weather future unexpected crises that may emerge. Many organizations have realized that a fundamental shift needs to take place by revising operational strategies and embracing digital technologies.