Manufacturers know how critical efficiency is to their business. They continually strive to improve efficiency by removing process bottlenecks and respond to shortened supply chains.

In this context, machine downtime is disruptive. However, as the Internet of Things and other technological changes advance, increasingly manufacturers must also be wary of digital downtime.

 

What Could Downtime Cost?

Downtime and data loss represent a significant risk to manufacturers now that big data is helping drive demand. They must also consider any reputational damage arising from downtime.

This sort of damage can extend far beyond the remit of IT when it comes to fixing things.

The key thing here is trust. It is something that is hard to win back once you lose it over downtime or data loss issues.

There is also the impact on efficiency for manufacturers. Increasingly, physical orders are dependent on digital communications and data. Where downtime causes delays in production and, ultimately, fulfilment, the consequences can prove catastrophic.

If a customer switches to a competitor because a manufacturer cannot fulfil their orders, this can mean a permanent loss of business.

 

The Impact of Downtime

There are several key ways downtime impacts on manufacturing businesses:

  • It interrupts the flow of business and production, disrupting orders and production, and potentially damaging customer satisfaction.
  • It causes severe backlogs, and the extra time and resources required to get orders back on track can further wear away margins.
  • It can fatally undermine customer confidence, leading to a permanent loss of business.
  • It can lead to reputational damage through social media channels, where disgruntled customers publicly voice their dissatisfaction.

 

Facing the Threat

People can spend up to 130 hours a year – five and a half working days – waiting for systems that are slow to upload, function or otherwise operate.  Sometimes the diagnosis is physical: faulty points or other electrical issues.

What matters is to act, preferably preventatively. Manufacturers should have their electrical and data systems regularly checked and maintained.

Resist the temptation to simply work around a problem, because it will not go away. Rather, it is likely to become critical at a time when you least can cope with it.

Remember that if you cannot access your data, you cannot manage it, or your customers’ demands.

Don’t risk digital down time.  Contact Daker Ltd to discover how we can help to protect you.