The term digital transformation may seem a bit overused these days, especially in the manufacturing technology field. But it remains an important factor for manufacturers seeking to maximize profits, minimize customer churn, and improve employee retention.
Let’s focus on one benefit: employee retention. It may seem far-fetched to link digital transformation with employee retention, but once you understand the three major impacts upon your workforce, it’s likely you’ll agree that digital transformation plays an important role in employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention.
Automation Reduces Tedious Tasks
Very few individuals enjoy repetitive tasks. Most employees prefer variety in their daily work as well as the chance to interact with peers, solve problems, and contribute their creativity to the overall company goals.
By automating routine and repetitive tasks, you free up valuable time for your employees to utilize their creativity for other projects. Automating expense report approval, for example, may save accounting several hours of time each week which can be spent assisting managers with budgeting or performing other key tasks.
Enabling employees to participate in more creative, thought-provoking work engenders feelings of satisfaction with work and makes employees much more likely to say they are happy with their jobs.
Improves Communication
Part of the digital transformation is connecting systems and platforms to reduce silos and improve communication. This may be internal communication such as among peers or departments or it can be among parties in the supply chain, with customers, vendors, or all of the above.
Integrating the ERP system with other systems within your company such as the CRM system ensures a 360-degree view of business information that helps break down silos and improve communications. Data from all departments is available, and everyone is empowered to make better decisions through shared data and improved communication.
Office politics, cliquishness, and not having the information to do their jobs adequately are among many reasons cited for employee dissatisfaction. Adding tools to improve communication removes many of these barriers and may, in turn, improve employee satisfaction with their work.
Empowers Individuals to Make Decisions
Nothing sours employees on their work like feeling powerless. Empowering employees to make decisions, whether it is accepting customer returns or adjusting an order, may be a small step towards improving customer satisfaction.
Digitization can empower individuals by connecting systems that can help facilitate decision making. Take, for example, field service. This team often acts independently of sales. If field service is at a job site and the customer asks for information about a new product, can they answer the question? Without integrated systems, it’s unlikely they have the answer to that question. But with integration systems, field service can be empowered to act as an extension of sales and provide customers with the information they need.
Embark on Digital Transformation
Manufacturers of all sizes can embark on a digital transformation that will empower their employees and fuel improved efficiency, profitability, and success.
It begins with having the right ERP system in place to track accounting and sales. Adding integration with e-commerce portals, warehouse management, and CRM systems adds to the full productivity suite and helps employees manage, execute, and deliver the products and services your customers demand.
Manufacturers who lag in digital transformation will continually fall behind as other companies adopt these platforms and practices. Step into digitization now with the right systems and empower your employees.
Emerald TC
Emerald TC provides software and consulting for manufacturing companies. We can help you choose the right ERP system for your needs and offer Acumatica and other software packages for every type and size manufacturing company. Contact us or call 678-456-6919 for more information.