BE MORE FORWARD-THINKING IN THE BACK OFFICE It is estimated that the average
Ross Penman, head of global delivery management, Y Soft, explains why including your print estate in your digital transformation strategy is key to manufacturing sector productivity The manufacturing sector has faced increased pressures in recent years, with greater emphasis on faster, better products, services and experiences, and customer’s changing needs and expectations. The sector has responded well to these pressures and is implementing innovative technologies and digital transformation projects. For example, the emergence of
advanced analytics, machine learning, the IoT and Cloud computing have all significantly impacted the sector, resulting in the likes of ‘smart factories’, the ability to track the supply chain in real-time through IoT and the ability to adjust production swiftly. However, what is
‘It’s crucial
that manufacturers initiate digital
office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper each year, and much of this is discarded or lost1. However, manufacturers that adopt smart print management will not only reduce their global carbon footprint but also realise significant savings. For example, something as simple as using an authentication option where a print job will only print when the user is at the machine validating their print, will eliminate abandoned prints. While some organisations do not necessarily want to reduce printing, print management software enable manufacturers to understand how well they are handling print services with metrics related to usage, printer optimisation and costs. In addition,
transformation projects in all areas that can benefit’
happening on the production line is not always reflected in the administrative back office functions and it’s crucial that manufacturers ensure that they initiate digital transformation projects in all areas that can benefit. One such area is within the print
estate. Print management and document capture solutions are often praised for their ability to make organisations more cost-efficient, productive, and for increasing document security – areas that contribute to digital transformation. For an industry which relies on
huge amounts of documentation; poor information handling and inefficient printing are likely to have severe financial consequences impacting operational efficiencies and productivity. Therefore, it is important for manufacturers to consider how technologies can be implemented in the back office, freeing up time for staff to work on other more innovative projects.
today’s employees are much more
connected than ever before. They
have direct access to real-time data which
enables them to easily do
their jobs from anywhere, using the device of their choosing. Remote working in the manufacturing industry, although slower than in other industries, is growing in popularity and as a result, organisations must redesign processes to ensure their workers operate well in the digital world. Therefore, it is even more crucial now for the sector to look at secure, yet flexible workflow solutions that increase staff productivity and enable pull-printing wherever and whenever staff need it. Another area to look at within the
digital transformation process of the print estate is the automation of day-to-day, time-consuming tasks that require repeated behaviours. This is achieved through automated scan workflow solutions, which enable manufacturers to funnel productivity and accuracy savings toward increased productivity. In doing this, manufacturers can improve efficiencies, increase
SWAP-OUT SCHEME TO END
Spiroflow is currently encouraging businesses to take advantage of the government- backed swap-out scheme to replace their ageing inefficient plant motors for more environmentally-friendly models. The initiative, which ends in April 2020, allows firms to claim 100% back in capital allowance. Published by the government,
Ross Penman says: ‘As well as future gazing, manufacturers need to ensure they implement transformative technologies that are available today in all departments to ensure they remain competitive. Without the technology taking care of the traditionally more mundane tasks, all of these exciting new technologies will fail to be effectively optimised’
document security, remove the likelihood of human error, provide more up-to-date results through faster storage and retrieval of records and also reduce costs by digitising records. The manufacturing industry today
is almost unrecognisable to that of 100 years ago, and the future also promises to make another big leap. Products may be automatically tested, repaired, adjusted and personalised before they even hit assembly lines. AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) will continue to develop for future product design, including live demos and full immersion. By using advanced data analytics, AI (artificial intelligence), advanced industrial robots, and collaborative robots, even more efficiencies may be achieved. We will also continue to see a rise in the use of 3D printing, with the manufacturing industry driving innovation in this technology.
www.ysoft.com
https://www.restore.co.uk/Datashred/Resou rces/News/paperless-office-paper-waste- statistics-for-the-average-uk-office
1
“The original designer and manufacturer of coaxial valves with 60 years of experience”
Te Tel: 01908 067583
Ema l: Email:
john.osborn@coaxvalves.co.uk We :Web
www.co-ax.com
6 FEBRUARY 2020 | PROCESS & CONTROL
High flow, high pressure, unique valve solutions for all standard and arduous Applications”.
the scheme is based on the ETL (Energy Technology List) - a managed list of energy-efficient plant and machinery, such as boilers, electric motors, and air conditioning systems:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e nergy-technology-list. For a product to be on the ETL, it must meet specific energy-saving or energy-efficient criteria. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) annually reviews the technologies and products that qualify for inclusion, with the ETL being managed on behalf of BEIS by the Carbon Trust. The ETL forms part of the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) tax scheme for businesses. The ECA tax scheme means
that a business can invest in energy-saving plant or machinery to provide accelerated cost savings, that might otherwise be too expensive. The first year allowances let businesses set 100% of the cost of the assets against taxable profits in a single tax year. This means the company can write off the cost of the new plant or machinery against the business’s taxable profits in the financial year the purchase was made. An ECA is claimed through a business’s income or corporation tax return in the same way as any other capital allowance. Spiroflow’s James Podevyn,
said: “Given that this swap-out initiative is in the interest of all manufacturing and processing businesses, we would be more than happy to provide guidance and support where required.”
www.spiroflow.com
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