SMEs urged to harness Industry 4.0 - or risk falling behind

Just like manufacturers, the warehousing and logistics industry is now seeing the time and cost-saving benefits of warehouse management systems (WMS). Software like Access Delta WMS integrates with other platforms to ensure that goods will arrive with the customer on time. It can also help work more closely with distribution centres. Access Delta WMS integrates with standard courier services such as TNT, so customers can see exactly where their order is. As well as giving a real-time view of goods in and out, it ensures delivery documents are correctly signed-off and accessible via the system. Topically, this is particularly relevant for trading internationally and the driver needs to present customs documents on arrival.

According to Pamment, many of the discussions around Industry 4.0 are ‘unhelpful’ for SMEs, who have yet to get on board with the digital revolution. “For too long now, the focus has been on global companies, whose futuristic-looking ‘smart factories’ bear little resemblance to the traditional operations you see further down the supply chain,” he said. “The language is often too technical or academic, and the suggestion that factories will have to deploy, say, robots with artificial intelligence is extremely unhelpful."

Pamment says that many production managers are left thinking that the technology is too expensive with their limited resources, and this means they are in danger of missing out on valuable opportunities to work with the giants in aerospace, food, pharmaceuticals and other industries.

"In this new free guide, we want to show that the latest innovations, including supply chain software, are affordable, scalable and can be rolled out quickly. Using down-to-earth language, it’s important for production managers to see their factories won’t suddenly look like something from a sci-fi film, or that the systems are difficult to master – in fact, most require the same skills you’d use with Microsoft or Facebook," continues Pamment. “As we break down the barriers to entry, smaller manufacturers are now seeing the benefits of digital systems for reducing costs and driving efficiencies. All this is crucial in an increasingly complex supply chain, where the biggest companies demand full transparency for every component and raw material. How can a supplier demonstrate traceability and compliance if all their information is stored on paper or spreadsheets?”

With the need to prove GS1 Compliance, a standard now compulsory in the NHS, for example, Access Delta WMS makes it possible to apply GS1 regulations quickly, and provide a stronger audit and improve customer service. A drag-and-drop warehouse map means the logistics team can make instant decisions, while improved picking and stocking accuracy leads to faster turnaround times and an increase in shipping capacity.