Automation and Technology Tools for Operational Excellence in Manufacturing

Kevin Duggan, a bestselling author and operational excellence expert rightly said, “Operational excellence is the point at which each and every employee can see the flow of value to the customer, and fix that flow before it breaks down.”

In today’s time, operational excellence in manufacturing is the only way to survive and thrive in the highly competitive sector. Manufacturers can achieve operational excellence through various ways.

One of the most effective hacks to achieve operational excellence in manufacturing is by leveraging the right industrial automation systems and sophisticated manufacturing technology solutions in the right manner.

In this blog post, we discuss the importance of using automation and technology tools to achieve operational efficiency, the tools manufacturers must use for operational excellence in manufacturing, and what to look for before investing in them.

Why Must Manufacturers Use Automation and Technology Tools to Achieve Operational Excellence in Manufacturing?

Noted musical artist MC Hammer, who is also a tech investor, famously said, “Technology is important because it creates the future. We’re able to be a part of the ‘next’ and create things that don’t exist.” Manufacturers should definitely use automation and technology tools to take their operations to the next level. Here are some reasons why technology is essential to achieve operational excellence in manufacturing.

1. To enhance efficiency

Microsoft founder Bill Gates rightly said, “The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency.” When manufacturers leverage industrial automation systems and tech-driven manufacturing solutions, they manage to improve operational efficiency. Use of the right tech stack also enhances manufacturing process optimization.

2. Automate routine and repetitive tasks

Just imagine the wastage and inefficiencies when the employees in a manufacturing organization have to perform one or more repetitive tasks manually. It sounds horrific already. But what would be the scenario when the routine tasks are automated by using industrial automation systems? That would save a lot of time, effort, and resources.

3. Save time

It’s not at all surprising to know that automation in manufacturing is a time saver. But did you know that it can also be a life saver? It’s true for organizations that manufacture essential goods such as lifesaving medicines and equipment that’re used in emergency situations. When manufacturers of such products reduce the turnaround time by leveraging tech-driven manufacturing solutions, they literally save the lives of many people.

4. Save money

Of course, how can we miss this! When manufacturers use automation and sophisticated technology tools to automate a wide array of routine and repetitive tasks, they not only achieve operational excellence but also cost efficacy. They not only save a lot of money but generate a lot of revenue with a lean team.

Did you know? 

Businesses that adopt AI automation can reduce operational costs by 20–30%, finds a McKinsey report. Not only that, they can enhance operational efficiency by more than 40%.

5. Quality control

For manufacturers, quality is everything. A certain level of quality is just similar to hygiene. Its presence may or may not necessarily boost business and financial health. But its absence can be damaging. Digital transformation in manufacturing can help manufacturers keep an eye on quality control, which in turn can help them achieve operational excellence. As W. Edwards Deming, a noted economist, business theorist, industrial engineer, and management consultant, rightly said, “Quality comes not from inspection, but from improvement of the production process.”

6. Error-proof operations

In the manufacturing sector, organizations must do whatever it takes to error-proof their operations. That’s because rectifying errors in the sector is extremely expensive and difficult. In some cases, errors can cost lives. Not sure how? Think of the consequences a minor error can cause for a safety belt manufacturer. Automation in manufacturing and the use of the right technology can eliminate human errors and enhance manufacturing process optimization.

7. Accelerate production cycles

Automation and technology tools can quicken the process of transformation of raw materials into finished goods by leaps and bounds. Let’s say, a product that would take a few hours to be made from scratch manually could be ready in just a few minutes, even seconds, because of automation and use of technology. That’s the magic of manufacturing technology solutions.

8. Scale up operations

Just imagine a scenario, where a manufacturing organization is witnessing a surge in demand but it’s unable to keep pace. The factors responsible are outdated processes and capacity limitations. The company can scale up and achieve operational excellence in manufacturing by leveraging smart manufacturing tools.

What Automation and Tech Tools Manufacturers Must Use to Achieve Operational Excellence in Manufacturing?

To achieve operational excellence in manufacturing, organizations must use a broad range of automated technology tools. Here are some important ones that every manufacturer must use.

1. Supply chain management tools

For manufacturing companies, efficient management of the supply chain is critical for success. Supply chain expert Hau L. Lee rightly said, “The supply chain is no longer a cost of doing business, it is a driver of competitive advantage.”

Thankfully, there are sophisticated tools specifically engineered to manage supply chains. For obvious reasons, they’re named supply chain management tools. Comprising a wide array of technologies, they’re designed to optimize several aspects of the supply chain whether it’s procurement of raw materials, production of goods, warehousing, as well as logistics and delivery.

By leveraging the right supply chain tools, manufacturers can manage multiple suppliers, warehouses, and distribution channels on a central system.

2. ERP and CRM software

Just the thought of managing production, inventory, customer relationships, and finances on separate systems is daunting enough. Just imagine what would happen when a manufacturer has to do that in real life.  

The lack of integration causes delays, data mismatches, and operational blind spots. Fortunately, there are tools to manage the end-to-end operations of manufacturing enterprises as well as customer relationships. They are called Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.

The former is a tool that helps in management and integration of core business processes. The tool automates and streamlines various functions and provides a unified view of operations. The latter, as the name suggests, is a tool that manages, tracks, and analyzes customer data and interactions as well as automates processes related to customer service, sales, and marketing.

3. Sales tracking apps

Manufacturers have a dedicated sales team to take the finished goods to the market and convert those into revenue streams. Without that, there’s no point in manufacturing.

Manufacturers must monitor their sales team and ensure that they face no problems while selling. The right sales tracking app can help manufacturers get real-time visibility and live updates about their sales team. 

Sales tracking apps and software are equipped with many sophisticated features such as GPS tracking, real-time location sharing, check-in/check-out logs, last location battery record, task assignment and scheduling, mobile accessibility with offline capability, and more.

4. Warranty management systems

Manufacturers in some specific sectors such as electricals, plywood, industrial equipment and machinery provide warranty for their products. A strong warranty is a manufacturer’s promise that their products will stand the test of time. In case of specific issues, the manufacturer repairs for free of cost or replaces the product with a new one.

Managing warranty claims manually can be extremely difficult and inefficient. Apart from being time-consuming and prone to errors, it can delay resolution. That’s why manufacturers need a sophisticated tool to automate warranty claims management.

The name of the solution is warranty management software. By selecting the right warranty management software, manufacturers can streamline the way they manage warranty claims.

5. In-person meet management systems

In the digital age, the popularity of virtual meet-ups and tools facilitating that such as Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime, and more have increased. But nothing can replace the effectiveness of in-person meets, especially in the manufacturing sector.

Manufacturers need to organize in-person meetings with their channel partners, influencers, and buyers to create awareness and drive better business outcomes. According to the 2025 State of Events Report, 78 percent of respondents said they believe in-person events are more effective in marketing strategies as well as achieving desired business outcomes.

In-person meet management systems such as nukkad meet management software and apps can enable manufacturers to create meetings instantly, track attendance in real-time, prevent proxies, create post-meet promotions, and more.

6. Digital loyalty platforms

In a time when nine out of every ten businesses run loyalty programs, manufacturers that don’t run one risk a significant competitive disadvantage. In the digital age, traditional loyalty programs won’t be effective. That’s why manufacturers need to invest in digital loyalty platforms.

Digital loyalty platforms can automate the way manufacturers reward their buyers, engage with their stakeholders, as well as build relationships with their channel partners and influencers. Fitted with a wide array of advanced features, digital loyalty platforms are highly cost effective in the long run.

By integrating digital loyalty platforms (such as that of LoyaltyXpert’s) with tech-driven manufacturing solutions, manufacturers can improve operational efficiency. Not just that, they can turn their loyalty programs into a driver of operational excellence in manufacturing.

What Manufacturers Should Look for Before Investing in Automation and Tech Tools to Achieve Operational Excellence in Manufacturing?

We have already discussed the automation and technology tools manufacturing organizations must use for digital transformation in manufacturing. But what should they look for to make sure that they find the right manufacturing technology solutions? Here are some things they need to keep in mind.

1. Reputation and track record of solution providers

When manufacturing organizations look for manufacturing technology solutions and smart manufacturing tools, they must consider the reputation, expertise, and track record of the solution providers they have shortlisted.

2. Integration with their existing systems

When trying various tech-driven manufacturing solutions, manufacturers should see how seamlessly the tools integrate with their existing systems and tech stack. If the integration is seamless, then manufacturers can use the tools and solutions with their existing systems without having to buy new systems.

3. Ease of use

When availing the free demo of different manufacturing technology solutions and tools, manufacturers should focus on the ease of use and user-friendliness. If the tools can be easily used by a majority of team members, whether they’re technically savvy or not, then it’s a good idea to invest in them.

4. Features and benefits to manufacturing operations

Not all smart manufacturing tools and tech-driven manufacturing solutions come equipped with the same features. Some have more sophisticated features than others. While trying out the solutions, find out the unique features and selling points in each of them. Also, see what benefits the features offer for specific use cases and operations.

5. Pricing models and potential ROI

Different manufacturing tools have different pricing plans. Manufacturers must consider not only the pricing plans but also different expenses for installation, maintenance, and upgrades. They should also calculate the potential return on their investments for every manufacturing technology solution.

All In All,

Operational excellence expert Joris Wijpkema said, “What operational excellence looks like is really a consistent way of working. So it’s really a set of culture, behaviors, mindsets, and daily practices that is intimately tied to the organization’s reason for being.”

To achieve operational excellence in manufacturing, the question for manufacturers is no longer “Whether or not to use automation and technology tools?” Instead, it’s “What automation and technology tools to use? And what to consider while selecting the tools?”

At LoyaltyXpert, we understand how important it is to select the right tech stack for manufacturing process optimization. We are proud to design some extremely highly specialized and sophisticated automated and tech-driven manufacturing solutions.

Whether it’s our digital loyalty platforms, on-field sales tracking software, nukkad meet management app, or warranty management system, each solution is engineered to help manufacturers improve operational efficiency.

If you are curious to know how our solutions can streamline your manufacturing operations and help you achieve operational excellence, contact us today and book a free demo.