Digital continuity: a key performance issue
Introduction
It's impossible to ignore the fact that, in recent years, industry has embarked on a digital transition, with the aim of improving its competitiveness and performance. Among the major advances in this transformation, digital continuity has become a key issue for companies. This approach connects all the processes and players involved in the production chain, from design to maintenance. Better still, it preserves the autonomy and productivity of all teams, by merging all data relating to the life of a product, from end to end, onto a single line. And that's just the beginning.
But what exactly is digital continuity, and how does it work?
Definition and operation of digital continuity
Digital continuity is a concept that connects all the processes and players involved in the production chain, using digital technologies. It is based on the principle of "digital thread", which enables all data and information relating to a product's life cycle to be linked, controlled and updated. In this way, digital continuity creates a permanent link between the various stages of the production chain, from design to manufacturing, logistics and maintenance. This not only facilitates collaboration between the various players involved in the process, but also reduces the risk of errors and loss of information.
What arethe advantages of digital continuity?
By making it possible to integrate, transform and analyze data gathered from departments within the same company (sometimes far apart), digital continuity offers many advantages. Not only does it provide a much-needed common information framework, it also makes it possible to :
- Reduce design and manufacturing lead times, by connecting the different stages of the production chain and neutralizing silo effects;
- Optimize production processes by reducing product development and time-to-market;
- Ensure proper analysis of digital data, while avoiding errors in data entry and translation of technical specifications;
- Facilitate product maintenance and anticipate potential risks of failure, thanks to automatic updating of all associated data and information.
Digital continuity: which tools?
To ensure the strength of the digital thread, companies can rely on a variety of tools and technologies. The most common solutions include :
- Product lifecycle management (PLM) software such as PTC's Windchill
- Supply chain management (SCM) solutions like Manhattan
- Computer-aided maintenance management (CMMS) tools such as Carl Source
These tools connect the various stages of the production chain, creating a permanent link between data and product information. They not only facilitate collaboration between the various players involved in the process, but also reduce the risk of errors and improve product quality.
These tools serve the digital transformation strategy of many companies, and are all the more effective today with the advent of ever more advanced technologies.
Technologies for digital continuity
Today's technological advances are conducive to digital continuity and have greatly contributed to the deployment of digital adoption in companies.
Among them, we think of :
- The use of artificial intelligence, which facilitates decision-making by automating certain tasks and providing predictive analyses to improve production performance;
- Augmented reality, which enables 3D visualization of products to facilitate design, manufacturing and maintenance, by providing access to real-time product information;
- The IoT, which connects the various players involved in the production chain, as well as equipment and products to monitor their performance in real time;
- The blockchain, which enables secure exchanges and guarantees the traceability of products throughout their life cycle.
All the tools that serve digital continuity, and the new technologies that support them, would be nothing without a strategy fully committed to digital transformation. And as is often the case, it's a question of culture: the deployment of a digital culture within the company will be the foundation stone of lasting digital continuity. The most advanced software and tools won't do much without it.
Is digital continuity the future of industry?
In the age of Industry 4.0, digital continuity is proving to be a key initiative for the future of many companies that want to be future-proof, in order to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, on a more flexible, connected, reliable and mobile industry. By jumping on the bandwagon, you can boost your productivity and provide customers with ever higher quality service, while staying one step ahead of the industry.
Does your company want to position itself as a key, competitive player? Equip yourself with the tools you need to establish digital continuity. Implement a digital transformation strategy and invest in the technologies best suited to your environment.
According to the 5th edition of ACSEL's Growth & Digital barometer, which surveyed more than 700 companies in the retail and services sectors: "84% of companies with more than 20 employees are calling for support to make it easier for employees toassimilation digital tools. 2/3 of these companies would also like to know where to start."
Knowmore, a key player in your change management projects - With K-NOW, support your employees in learning and using their PLM or SCM software. Thanks to our digital adoption platform, you can help your staff acquire skills quickly and efficiently, by providing them with the right help at the right time, according to the processes in progress. Significantly increase user satisfaction and engagement with your digital tools!