The global industrial automation market is expected to surpass $200 billion by 2025. Why? Businesses across all sectors are turning to automation to overcome their most pressing challenges.
Whether you're a manufacturing manager, small business owner, engineer, or corporate executive, automation is no longer just an option — it's a strategic imperative. This article is here to help you understand how automation can transform your operations, cut costs, unlock data insights, and give you a competitive edge.
OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES
We're entering an era of intelligent collaboration between humans and machines. Automation allows humans to move from repetitive, dangerous, or mundane tasks to more creative, strategic, and fulfilling roles. At the same time, it allows companies to advance and drive business growth.
Meeting rising demand
From shifts in consumer behavior to external events that impact markets worldwide, all kinds of things can spur a jump in demand. Whatever the cause, that rise can put a strain on any business.
Consider the packaging industry. Customers have increasingly turned to eCommerce for everything from niche goods to everyday supplies. That’s a lot more stuff that needs to be packaged and shipped — and some companies aren’t equipped to work on that scale.
Automation can assist businesses with spikes like this, no matter the cause. Artificial intelligence (AI) can forecast and account for changes in demand. Sensitive machine vision speeds up the process of picking, sorting, and packaging products. Even autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) can help maximize physical space.
Tackling labor shortages
By 2030, the United States will face a forecasted shortfall of 2.1 million manufacturing workers. However, this shortage is not only impacting manufacturing, which is why many are turning to automation. It’s important to note that automation isn’t here to replace jobs either. In fact, automation is creating new opportunities for workforces.
CNC interfaces are a good example of how automation can address this challenge in manufacturing. Labor shortages hit machining operations particularly hard, but a CNC interface streamlines the machining process, so one human operator can get far more done each day. Automation allows every industry to create efficiency, strengthen workforces, and optimize production.
Pro tip: Pair automation adoption with workforce upskilling programs to maximize human-machine collaboration.
Optimizing production
Demand fluctuations throw off production schedules. Sometimes, equipment simply isn’t used as efficiently as it could be. For these reasons, some companies don’t get as much as they can out of their equipment and personnel. And if businesses don’t optimize their operations, they’re missing out on value.
Automation can help. For example, an automated piece of equipment can alert operators when one of its components is about to wear out. Producers can get every last bit of use out of it and plan downtime to replace it — no wasted resources or time.
Bonus: Companies embracing automation are seeing 20-30% productivity gains in their first year.
Integrating into existing processes
Updating existing processes or legacy systems can pose challenges, particularly in industries with long-established methods. However, modular solutions offer a viable option to modernize without a complete overhaul.
By strategically inserting IoT devices or robotic elements into specific areas of the production line, businesses can enhance efficiency and flexibility while minimizing disruption. This incremental approach not only preserves the value of existing equipment but also paves the way for a smoother transition to more advanced automation in the future.
Scaling for business growth
Automation can be a game-changer for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) looking to scale for growth. Integrating modular automation solutions allows these businesses to streamline their operations and quickly respond to market changes.
Moreover, the accessibility of advanced automation technology means that SMBs no longer have to feel left behind in a market dominated by big corporations. With the right tools, even smaller players can enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve product quality.
Pro tip: Explore government incentives or grants to offset automation project costs.
COST AND EFFICIENCY CHALLENGES
Getting the most out of every dollar and resource has always been advantageous, no matter the industry. But today, efficiency has become an imperative. Fortunately, smart automation makes it possible. While the initial investment for some of this technology can be high, the returns are immediate and substantial.
Creating cost efficiencies
The latest developments in machine vision and motion control make high-speed delicate operations possible — from butchering meat to picking and placing products for shipment. Quality control has grown more efficient as well. Advanced cameras and AI can check products for impurities and ensure consistent particle size.
In addition, mobile robots can perform a variety of roles more quickly and safely than their human counterparts. An automated forklift can save a company hundreds of hours of training and prevent tens of thousands of injuries per year — which gives people more time to get other work done.
Pro tip: Use ROI calculators to estimate potential savings before investing in automation.
Sustainability
Industrial automation is emerging as a powerful ally in creating more sustainable operations. It can help minimize waste, optimize energy consumption, and create more efficient production cycles. Plus, it’s also a significant cost-saving strategy that can improve both the bottom line and the planet's health.
The magic happens when sophisticated sensors, AI-driven analytics, and intelligent control systems work together to identify and eliminate inefficiencies. Real-time tracking allows businesses to make immediate adjustments, cutting energy waste and reducing carbon emissions.
DATA AND TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES
These days, smart equipment is more common than ever. Industries like agriculture and healthcare have a wealth of information about their operations that they couldn’t have dreamed of 10 years ago. But taking advantage of that data and technology can be challenging.
Data maturity
Operations reach “data maturity” when they go past simply gathering information to actually using it strategically. Getting there can be tough, which is where automation comes in.
Consider agriculture. AI helps farmers use info from soil moisture sensors, local weather records, and other sources to generate smart irrigation plans for their automated pivots. When it comes to healthcare, look at how AI analyzes large amounts of data — around 10,000 medical charts per hour — to quickly find patients eligible for clinical cancer studies.
Cybersecurity
Automation significantly improves cybersecurity by making threat detection and response faster and easier. By using advanced AI technology, organizations can track network activities in real time. This helps them spot unusual or harmful behavior quickly and accurately. As a result, they can respond to threats more swiftly, which reduces the risk of attacks. Automation also helps keep systems updated with security patches, protecting them from new cyber risks.
For example, automated systems can manage multi-factor authentication, control access, and carry out vulnerability assessments. By reducing human error in these routine processes, businesses can strengthen their security and effectively use automation as a valuable resource against cyber threats.
MARKET AND COMPETITIVE CHALLENGES
Staying ahead of the competition is about more than just innovation. You also need to be agile and efficient — from processes to people. Automation can help solve these challenges to accelerate workflows and empower your workforce.
Workforce empowerment and upskilling
As automation and technology continue to evolve, the potential to empower employees becomes even greater. By integrating new tools and systems, organizations not only enhance productivity but also create opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth. Investing in the right training and upskilling programs is essential. Plus, it fosters a culture of improvement and innovation, making employees feel valued and engaged in their company’s success.
Pro Tip: Partner with local technical colleges or online platforms to create customized upskilling programs.
Accelerate time to market
Little inefficiencies can drag down otherwise flawless operations. You can make the best products in the business, but inferior products might outsell you if they get to market first.
Consider the life sciences industry. Delicate tasks like checking liquid levels on hundreds of vials or cataloging and sorting biological samples are crucial to drug development. But they’re also dull and time-consuming. Every minute scientists spend on these tasks is one that could have been spent doing critical research.
Vision solutions help here. Cameras are now sensitive enough to count the granules in a single medicine capsule, spot one underfilled vial out of a thousand, or construct 3D profiles of objects for sorting — all at high speed. Scientists can rely on them to swiftly handle the grunt work while they focus on tasks that truly need human attention. Work goes more quickly, and patients get healthier sooner.
READY TO AUTOMATE?
Products and services keep evolving to meet the needs of the modern market — and so do automated solutions. By attending the Automate Show, you’ll see how automation technologies are being used today to fuel businesses and industries around the world. Join us in solving challenges and inspiring new paths forward. Register for FREE today!
Pro tip: Be sure to catch our Automate Preview webinar series leading up to the show. It’s free and available to all!
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