In our previous pillar blog, we discussed process management and workflow automation for the manufacturing industry with a general overview and by touching all key points including benefits, challenges, bridging the existing gap and how Nintex can help you with a modern automation platform.
In this short blog, we are going to discuss how workflow automation is changing the approach to process improvement in the manufacturing sector with benefits and some compelling stats.
Let’s start our specific analysis with what is a workflow at the first hand?
One workflow is a chain of tasks that processes a set of data. When data is passed between two humans or systems, it creates a workflow. Every kind of business or industry needs workflow to function. These are paths that narrate how something starts the journey from undone to done. Or a raw thing gets processed in a single workflow.

It is the way things get done.
How workflows get complicated?
The industry is transforming through many industrial revolutions by embracing technologies to scale and grow at the same time. From single product lines to multiple and complex product lines, workflows in various industries are getting complicated with diverse processes. For example, let’s look at an order purchasing workflow:

Although this workflow looks messy, it is one of the simple workflows. Just think about how complicated workflows look like!
In getting things done, we look for efficiency in the processes and we make the underlying processes more complex.
Why workflow automation is required for the manufacturing industry?
Workflow automation comprises the integration of logic, relying on the rules for automating the manual tasks. It plays a paramount role in the manufacturing industry. In this industry, repetitive processes are unavoidable. Right from receiving orders till delivery at the distributor’s doorsteps, every process gets repeated repeatedly with lots of manual laborers. We can automate the following departments in the manufacturing industry:

The workflow automation is changing the approach to process improving leveraging on data and analytics. Process improvement is delivering the following benefits in the manufacturing industry:
Read here how we scaled up an existing vendor portal for the automotive industry.

Visibility into production assets
Automating the workflow is improving the process and giving visibility into the production assets. It provides near real-time information to direct engineers, technicians, and operators. Such visibility also helps to determine availability of the assets with data.

Enhanced operations with considerable savings
Workflow automation helps to automate the purchase requests, incident reports, and many more. You can save a considerable amount by automating these processes. It can also boost the efficiency in manufacturing by eliminating the bottlenecks. You can optimize a diverse range of manufacturing operations with enhanced accuracy and safety.

Secure external collaboration solutions
Collaboration with partners and customers became easy with workflow automation. The manufacturing companies can empower the employees to build their collaboration and file sharing solutions with no code platforms.

Automated distribution processes
An automated distribution process empowers the distributors to streamline the core processes with ease. They can cut down the time it needs to accomplish some core administrative and operational business processes. For example, automating travel requests, vendor contracts, supply chain, exit approval, etc. helps to save a lot of time and efforts.

Enhance workplace safety
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workplace injuries can cost the manufacturing industry $62 billion per year. But with automation, machines and robots are doing the heavy lifting and managing redundant tasks. In a nutshell, automation makes the workplace safer.

Boost resiliency and simplify processes
In the pandemic, most manufacturing plants have to operate below full capacity and strategically schedule a low number of workers in a particular location at any given time. The manufacturing managers leverage automated software that can handle machine coordination and job scheduling easily.
Eye-opening stats on automation in manufacturing
According to mckinsey, 64% time was spent on manufacturing-related activities in 2015. This was automatable with the present technologies.
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In this analysis, the manufacturing industry is divided into work activities called management, expertise, interface, unpredictable physical, collect data, process data, and predictable physical. Data collecting and processing has a high ability to get automated, which starts with the possibility of measurement from 50 to 100.
Start your workflow automation with us
At Katpro Technologies, we use the innovative Nintex Process Platform to manage processes and automate workflows as per specific business needs. We offer you a dedicated team to take care of your process and workflow automation. Nintex is a powerful solution for procurement management, factory inspection, and supplier onboarding.
- It helps build a flawless end-to-end process for purchasing order requests & approvals. It helps to speedup the purchase-to-pay cycles and optimize the whole supply chain.
- It keeps machinery running and ensures safe and compliant production facilities. Easily approve and assign tasks to create detailed work orders.
- It optimizes supplier operations with digital forms by managing all communication online with automated renewal and approval to cut down the labor cost.
Talk to an expert to leverage the benefits of Nintex with us.
About Katpro Technologies
Katpro Technologies is an advanced technology firm offering specialized services in Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Sharepoint Consulting, Microsoft .NET based IT development and mobile app developments. We work on emerging technologies in the Microsoft Platform providing customers with high performance and comprehensive solutions. We adapt ourselves to change business needs and deliver our customers with high-performance solutions that are relevant, futuristic & scalable.
Author,Kothand Rajangam
Founder and CEO with a passion for technology is providing Microsoft Suite of solutions to mid-market and enterprises on Nintex, SharePoint and Cloud. Kothand drives excellence in designing and delivering solutions backed by client success. His strong focus on Azure Suits and AI helps to complete enterprise turnkey projects with deep skill in quality delivery and business strategy. With more than 15 years of experience, Kothand and his team migrated over 500+ customers to the cloud.
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