Driving Digital Transformation in Manufacturing for Future Growth By Manas Mehra, Global Chief Information Officer, Dabur India

Driving Digital Transformation in Manufacturing for Future Growth

Manas Mehra, Global Chief Information Officer, Dabur India

Manas Mehra, Global Chief Information Officer, Dabur India Limited, in an interaction with CIOTechOutlook, shares his views and thoughts on the critical factors that need to be considered when creating a digital transformation strategy in manufacturing for sustainable long-term growth and more.

Manas Mehra is a seasoned Digital & IT Transformation Leader with over 20 years of experience driving impactful solutions across industries such as FMCG, CPG, telecom, the public sector, oil & gas, and electric vehicle charging. His expertise spans IT consulting, digital innovation, solution architecture, and the seamless execution of complex programs.

How can manufacturing leaders prioritize digital initiatives without disrupting current operations
Critical factors that need to be considered when creating a digital transformation strategy in manufacturing
How can digital transformation initiatives align manufacturing processes to deliver greater personalization

Digital transformation is no longer optional; it's essential for survival. How can manufacturing leaders prioritize digital initiatives without disrupting current operations?

Manufacturing leaders can start by focusing on small, incremental changes that align with their strategic goals. It's all about assessing current capabilities, running pilot programs, and encouraging collaboration across departments. Gathering continuous feedback from employees and stakeholders is crucial too. By starting with pilot projects and gradually scaling them, leaders can ensure the transition is smooth and manageable, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Key metrics for success include pilot program success rate, employee adoption rate, and operational disruption metrics. Tools like Asana or Trello for project management, Qualtrics or Culture Amp for employee engagement, and Tableau or Power BI for operational analytics can help track these metrics.

What are the critical factors that need to be considered when creating a digital transformation strategy in manufacturing for sustainable long-term growth?

When creating a digital transformation strategy in manufacturing for sustainable long-term growth, several key factors need to be considered. Leadership commitment is essential to drive the transformation. Engaging employees at all levels fosters a culture of innovation and adaptability. Integrating new technologies with existing systems enhances efficiency and productivity. A customer-centric approach focuses on customer needs and preferences to guide digital initiatives. Data-driven decision-making uses data analytics to make informed decisions and optimize operations. Ensuring scalability accommodates future growth, and continuous monitoring and improvement adapt to changing market conditions and technological advancements. Key metrics for success include customer satisfaction scores, operational efficiency metrics, and employee engagement levels. Tools like SurveyMonkey or Medallia for customer feedback, NetSuite or SAP for operational efficiency, and Qualtrics or Culture Amp for employee engagement can track these metrics.

With increased digitalization, cybersecurity becomes a major concern. What measures are in place to ensure the security of digital systems and sensitive manufacturing data?

Cybersecurity is definitely a top priority. Manufacturers need a multi-layered strategy that includes regular risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities, advanced encryption methods to protect data, and strict access controls to ensure only authorized personnel can access sensitive information. Providing ongoing cybersecurity training to employees is crucial for recognizing and responding to threats. Developing and maintaining comprehensive incident response plans allows for quick addressing of any breaches. Collaborating with cybersecurity experts helps stay ahead of emerging threats. Key metrics for success include incident response time, number of security incidents, and employee training completion rate. Tools like CrowdStrike or Palo Alto Networks for cybersecurity management and KnowBe4 or SANS Security Awareness for training management can track these metrics.

As customer expectations continue to evolve, how can digital transformation initiatives align manufacturing processes to deliver greater personalization and speed?

Digital transformation can help manufacturers better understand customer preferences and streamline production processes. By leveraging data analytics, adopting agile manufacturing techniques, enhancing supply chain visibility, automating processes, and integrating customer feedback into product development, manufacturers can deliver personalized products faster. Key metrics for success include customer personalization scores, order fulfillment time, and customer feedback ratings. Tools like Salesforce or HubSpot for customer analytics and Oracle SCM or SAP SCM for supply chain management can track these metrics.

Digital transformation offers the opportunity to enhance product customization. How can manufacturers implement flexible digital systems that allow for mass customization while keeping costs under control?

Manufacturers can achieve mass customization by adopting modular production systems, utilizing advanced manufacturing technologies like 3D printing and IoT, optimizing inventory management, streamlining production processes, and collaborating with suppliers. These systems enable quick reconfiguration of production processes to accommodate custom orders without significant cost increases, while data-driven practices help reduce waste and improve efficiency. Key metrics for success include customization lead time, cost per customization, and inventory turnover rate. Tools like Siemens PLM or Dassault Systèmes for production management and NetSuite or Fishbowl for inventory management can track these metrics.