Top 8 Challenges Faced by Enterprises Leveraging Microsoft Dynamics for Manufacturing

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How Microsoft Dynamics for Manufacturing Helps Overcome Key Challenges in the Industry

The manufacturing industry is steadily growing, thanks to new technology and lean manufacturing processes along with a strengthening economy. However, there remain real challenges. Thankfully, manufacturers can take advantage of the latest advancements in technology such as D365 manufacturing to move ahead with confidence.

Key Manufacturing Industry Challenges

Addressing key manufacturing industry challenges requires streamlined processes, real-time data, and integrated solutions like Microsoft Dynamics 365 to enhance efficiency and drive growth.

Skilled Labour

One of the major manufacturing industry challenges is the lack of skilled labor. Recent studies show that there will be more than 2 million unfulfilled manufacturing jobs by 2025. Manufacturers find it increasingly difficult to get skilled employees with experience in D365 manufacturing for their various tasks. Fortunately, technology and automation can provide relief, sometimes at lower costs. Technology helps in automating all the small administrative tasks and helps in identifying and allocating these resources to the places where they are required the most, allowing the manufacturers to utilize their current resources efficiently and at full capacity.

Scheduling

Manufacturers need to adhere to strict timelines in order to stay in the market. This can be very frustrating for a team that wants to deliver a quality product but is constrained by a deadline. Using software like D365 manufacturing that includes resource scheduling, manufacturers can adjust the schedule quickly and find available resources to complete the task in time to meet the predicted dates. This will help in overcoming the manufacturing industry challenges.
With real-time insights from D365 Manufacturing, businesses can proactively address potential bottlenecks and ensure seamless operations across production cycles.

Machine Intelligence

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of connected objects/devices, embedded with sensors that transmit data. In the retail industry specifically, “things” can include RFID inventory tracking chips, traditional in-store infrared foot-traffic counters, cellular and Wi-Fi tracking systems, digital signage, a kiosk, or even a customer’s mobile device.
With this reach, retailers have ample opportunity to extract information about their consumer groups and deliver the best possible customer experience. It’s pointless, however, to have access to this information if you can’t use it.  This means that suitable systems have to be in place. As Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation partner combines traditional CRM capabilities with Azure, it enables the organization to gather and analyze real-time data to respond to customer demand; use preference information to up-sell and give automatic discounts to frequent shoppers. It will even offer consumers special birthday promotions. While the above statement uses the retail industry as an example, it can be replicated easily in the Manufacturing Industry, with updates to the customer on the status of their cargo and other products.

Customer Self-Service Applications

In the era of digital transformation, it’s frustrating for customers to pick up the phone and call the manufacturer if they need some information. When customer/partner portals are connected to a singular application like Microsoft Dynamics 365 for manufacturing, business owners can provide customers with a way to log inquiries, search for a solution, or get a status update on their request.
D365 Manufacturing ensures that all customer interactions are tracked and managed efficiently, enabling quicker response times and improved customer satisfaction. With seamless integration, manufacturers can also provide real-time updates on order status, inventory availability, and production timelines.

System Usability

Internal system users are no different than customers who prefer self-service applications to picking up the telephone. Internal users want updated systems that help them improve job performance. Updated systems typically provide greater insight, flexibility, and speed that allows employees to utilize the applications to perform their job more effectively and efficiently. This allows employees to use the system as a tool to complete their job rather than slow them down.
However, the existing AS/400 systems that many in the manufacturing industry continue to utilize cannot provide the user experience that today’s workers demand.
There are many possible solutions available to manufacturing firms looking to provide a superior user experience. For example, Microsoft Dynamics for manufacturing (field service, customer service, project service) and Field Service Mobile solutions provide an updated user interface experience, greater flexibility based on business processes in various business units and gives users the capability to work remotely — including offline capabilities on laptops and smart devices.

Sustainability

With the advent of the internet and social media, the awareness towards social issues has increased. More and more customers have started to pay attention to the effects of their actions on the environment. As such this puts more pressure on manufacturers to ensure a more sustainable and responsible production. Long gone are the days when a customer buys whatever is produced without wondering what effects its production had.
As such, adopting more sustainable practices such as going 100% paper-free and sending receipts and invoices by email as well as adopting manufacturing processes that takes sustainability and the environment into account will go a long way in this process.

Personalization

Customers are no longer satisfied with generic, similar products. Instead, personalization has become the keyword in the minds of the consumers. They want everything to be personal to them. Custom products and unique experiences are the two things that the modern customer craves.
In order to satisfy these wants the manufacturing industry can make use of Microsoft Dynamics CRM Systems in order to predict and produce products and experiences tailor-made for the wants and desires of each individual customer. The advent of AI software and forecasting and predictive analytics has made anticipating customer wants and needs much, much easier.

Shipment Tracking

Customers now also expect greater transparency, on the progress of their product from the manufacturing plant to their hands. One way that the manufacturer can address this expectation is through the use of blockchain technology which ensures greater transparency to its customers. Customers and manufacturers can track the status of the product in real-time and identify delays or problems as and when it occurs.
These are just a few of the manufacturing industry challenges faced by manufacturers today. Fortunately, there are applications that they can utilize to satisfy customers’ needs and expectations, offering the functionality and data they need to succeed in the market.
Be it marketing, customer service or project service automation Microsoft Dynamics 365 for manufacturing can be the answer to some of your greatest concerns. As an end-to-end corporate solution, it offers you many tools designed specifically for businesses with production and supply chain management.
If you’re a manufacturer considering Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Manufacturing, don’t hesitate to make the move. Contact us right away and you’ll be in safe hands on the road to growth and success.

KORCOMPTENZ is a Microsoft Gold-Certified Partner headquartered in New Jersey with extensive experience improving business outcomes for our customers. We leverage end-to-end solutions involving the ongoing convergence of ERP, Azure Cloud, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and IoT. We specialize in the Microsoft Dynamic 365  range of products such as Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, and Dynamics 365 CRM. Request a consultation today!

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