The Benefits of AI in Manufacturing and How Dynamics Can Help

09.07.24

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionising the manufacturing industry. By integrating AI with ERP systems like Microsoft Dynamics, manufacturers can transform their operations, enhance productivity, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Benefits of AI in Manufacturing

The benefits of AI systems in manufacturing are substantial. Some of the key advantages are: enhancing production efficiency, utilising predictive maintenance, better quality control, supply chain optimisation, and improved innovation and customisation. Look at how AI is used in manufacturing in more detail:

1. Enhancing Production Efficiency

By using AI to automate repetitive tasks and processes, you will maximise efficiency and productivity. Machine learning algorithms analyse production data to identify bottlenecks and recommend improvements. This automation reduces human error and frees up employees to focus on more complex, value-added activities.

AI-powered predictive analytics help manufacturers anticipate market demands and adjust production schedules accordingly. As a result, production lines become more streamlined, leading to faster output and lower operational costs.

3. Quality Control

AI significantly improves quality control in manufacturing. It can detect defects and anomalies in products with greater accuracy than human inspectors by analysing images and data to ensure each product meets strict quality standards.

This leads to higher customer satisfaction and reduced waste, as defective products are identified and removed early in the production process.

4. Supply Chain Optimisation

AI optimises supply chain management by predicting demand, refining inventory management, and improving planning.

Machine learning algorithms analyse historical data and market trends to make demand forecasting more accurate. This helps manufacturers maintain optimal inventory levels, reducing both overstock and stockouts. Additionally, AI can streamline logistics by identifying the most efficient routes and delivery schedules, further enhancing the overall efficiency of the supply chain.

To support supply chain resilience within Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, Microsoft is previewing a traceability add-in – Tracked Components.

This tool enhances product genealogy visibility and allows businesses to track events and attributes throughout the supply chain, providing an interface for data querying and analysis. As nearly 90% of supply chain professionals plan to invest in resilience, these innovations are crucial for addressing supply chain disruptions.

5. Innovation and Customisation

By using AI-driven design tools and simulations, manufacturers can quickly develop and test new product designs. AI also enables mass customisation, allowing manufacturers to produce customised products at scale without sacrificing efficiency.

This adaptability helps companies respond to changing market demands and consumer preferences, ensuring they remain competitive in a dynamic industry.

Dynamics 365 AI: Tools To Empower Your Business

Microsoft Dynamics and AI

With Microsoft Dynamics 365, an AI-powered ERP, manufacturers can create a connected factory, streamline their operations, improve customer service, increase flexibility and agility, ensure data security, and enhance their supply chain management.

Microsoft Dynamics ERP offers predictive analytics, real-time data insights, and automated workflows, enabling manufacturers to make informed decisions quickly. With AI capabilities from Copilot, Dynamics 365 helps manufacturers not only to keep up with the competition but also to set new industry standards.

AI In The Manufacturing Industry

What's the current status of AI in Manufacturing? A recent MIT Technology Review Insights study surveyed 300 manufacturers, with 64% of those experimenting with AI and 35% using AI in production.

It found that manufacturers view AI as essential for creating hyper-automated smart factories and that many plan to increase AI spending in the next two years significantly. Some of the key findings of this study were:

Scaling AI is hindered by a lack of talent and skills, especially in engineering, design, and factory operations.
Insufficient access to cloud-based computing power is a significant issue in engineering and design.
Large manufacturers lead in AI spending, with 58% of executives in engineering and design and 43% in factory operations planning to increase AI investment by more than 10% in the next two years.
Development of AI use cases is hindered by poor data quality (57%), weak data integration (54%), and weak governance (47%).
Modernising data architecture, infrastructure, and processes is essential to support AI and other technology and business priorities.

The Future of AI in Manufacturing

The future of AI and manufacturing looks promising, with advancements in technology continuing to drive innovation. AI will offer manufacturers even greater precision and efficiency as it becomes more sophisticated.

Integrating AI with Internet of Things (IoT) devices will lead to smarter factories where machines communicate and collaborate seamlessly. This evolution will enable manufacturers to create highly customised products at lower costs and faster turnaround times. The MIT review found that over half of the manufacturers surveyed were looking to increase machine connectivity, to improve the volume of data their assets generate. This is key to the successful use of AI in manufacturing – the right data, in a format suitable for AI models, is a vital foundation.

With the industry rapidly adopting the use of AI, can you afford to fall behind your competitors? Adopting an AI-powered ERP solution such as Dynamics 365, you can collect and use your data to reap all of the benefits of AI in manufacturing and more.

Dynamics 365 for Manufacturing

Need A Microsoft Partner To Help You Integrate Dynamics 365 AI Tools Into Your Manufacturing Processes?

Perhaps the most important note is that AI is only useful to an organisation if it addresses business challenges.

Syscom has over 40 years of experience in the manufacturing industry and with Microsoft ERP solutions. We always take the time to understand your business and the challenges you face, and we know that the implementation of software is only part of the solution – we work in ongoing partnership with our clients offering a complete range of complementary services and consultancy.

To explore how Dynamics 365 can benefit your manufacturing business by providing AI tools, contact us today at 01384 400 600, email info@syscom.plc.uk, or fill out the contact form below.

Contact Name *

Company Name *

Email Address *

Contact Number *

Comments

Back to the top

Looking for a solution? Get in touch

01384 400 600
info@syscom.co.uk

AI in Manufacturing: Transforming The Industry