SaaS Solutions to Innovate the Manufacturing and Engineering Sector
Published: 21/11/2022
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In this article, we aim to highlight to manufacturing and engineering sector business owners that they can no longer delay the digitisation of their industry. SaaS solutions are crucial for running a business that thrives and scales in the future. We will provide a recommendation on where to begin the process.
The introduction of heavy machinery to handle physical labour has transformed the world, shaping the society we know today. The manufacturing and engineering sector claims credit for that. However, while it was capable of sparking an industrial revolution, it now struggles with innovation. The main reason is its focus on automating physical labour, which leads it to overlook back office processes.
Digital transformation is somewhat of a taboo in the industry, mainly because many businesses that attempted it have failed dramatically, damaging their budgets. Today, we want to discuss how to avoid such scenarios and the initial steps to take in addressing the issue. We will also explain the role of SaaS solutions in the digitalisation process and educate you on their unique qualities.
Although the lack of innovation in the manufacturing and engineering sector is a significant flaw, it can work to your advantage. Few companies have fully embraced digitisation, and many still stubbornly refuse to innovate. Your reading of this article shows you’re looking for ways to start the process, which already puts you ahead. However, it’s too early to rest. It won’t be long before your competitors realise that innovation is essential to scale and succeed in today’s world.
If you adopt and start using SaaS solutions as soon as you can, by the time others explore their options, your processes will already be established and effective. Since most automation solutions become more efficient the more you use them, leveraging the data they gather for learning is crucial, and time plays a significant role. In other words, by being an innovator, you will be steps and then miles ahead of your competitors. And, who knows, maybe you’ll be paving the way to the industry’s best practices.
You might still be unsure whether now is the right time to make such impactful decisions. We insist there’s no better time than now, especially if you’re aiming for a prosperous future. Of course, as a SaaS vendor, we are slightly biased. So, let’s focus on the business and let us show you the urgency with concrete evidence.
The manufacturing industry is one of the sectors that are well aware of how vital automation is. Essentially, its core involves trusting machines with tasks humans are either incapable of doing or prone to errors in. However, this thinking seems to only apply to on-site tasks and hardly extends to the back office. This is understandable — in the past, introducing automation to manufacturing sparked an industrial revolution, and because production has always been the main focus, bureaucracy was less of a concern. Unfortunately, in the age of digitisation and rising demands, this mindset no longer holds.
SaaS solutions are essentially the heavy machinery for the back office. They are designed to help your workers automate their processes, although they focus on admin tasks rather than physical labour. Even for office workers, daily work life in the manufacturing and engineering sectors is filled with repetitive tasks. These prevent them from working on progress-driving functions that require human judgement. SaaS technology is there to take over those maintenance-oriented tasks: invoicing, expense management, and holiday allowance, to name a few.
While you will likely need different solutions to address various aspects of the business, the era of them being siloed is over. Not long ago, most software solutions were CD-bound. Once installed, they operated independently without communicating with other software you own or may acquire later. SaaS solutions, however, are cloud-based and therefore web-based. This means they won’t require additional hardware or computer memory, and they can all function as parts of your efficient business machine.
Most SaaS platforms can be easily connected with each other through integrations, enabling them to share data freely and customise workflows with more automated steps. Even if the software you're interested in does not have the integration you need, you can contact the vendor and ask if they would be willing to create an API key for you. The aim of SaaS is to help users create a centralised software hub that contains different solutions, so most vendors will be happy to assist.
With SaaS being the fastest-growing market and offering solutions for virtually everything, it’s understandable if you’re unsure where to begin. While we may seem biased, we believe that timesheet software provides an excellent foundation for building your tech stack. Now, let us explain further.
Although recording time is a fundamental feature of digital timesheet tools, it is far from being a limitation. In fact, many processes the software helps with rely on effective use of time tracking as a basis. These include client billing, invoicing, expense management, holiday management, attendance tracking, accurate payment calculations involving different rates, and more. In other words, adopting a time tracking platform allows you to cover multiple areas at once. Of course, the extent of the tool’s functionality depends on the developer, as well as whether you need to pay extra for additional features.
What this means for you is that by making timesheet software the foundation of your technology stack, you could significantly reduce costs on other solutions you might have thought you needed. While requesting a demo before purchasing software is generally a good approach, it’s also a valuable opportunity to gather information on which processes it will assist you with. Most solutions offer a package-based payment model, where the level of functionality varies depending on the plan’s price. At Timesheet Portal, however, we let our clients create their own package of relevant features and only charge them for the options they select.
We’ve discussed that SaaS solutions are designed to be integrated, which is achieved through connections. However, given the vast market for digital tools, it would be unwise to assume you can connect any app with another at will. That’s why, when searching for the right solution, it’s best to have a list of your existing software. Simply put, the best tool you find might not be compatible with, say, your accounting package. This could mean one of the two needs to be replaced, leading to further search and additional costs.
Most software providers are eager to showcase their extensive lists of integrations as it’s a key selling point. You should therefore always verify these for both the software you already use and the tools you are considering. Don’t be discouraged if it’s not listed, though. Instead, ask the vendor directly - sometimes, only the major solutions are displayed. Or, as we have previously recommended, inquire about an API key. If there are no options to connect your tools, unfortunately, it most likely indicates that the software you’re interested in isn’t the right fit. Compatibility is a crucial factor, and you shouldn’t overlook it.
As you might have realised, just as the industrial revolution was impossible without heavy machinery, digitisation cannot happen without SaaS solutions. It doesn’t merely support innovation; it is the innovation itself, sparking change in every industry it touches. It’s high time the manufacturing and engineering sectors embrace this modern technology — the future of our civilisation’s progress could depend on it.
We will reiterate that there is no better time than now to embrace business digitisation. While most industries have long adopted this approach and late bloomers face significant disadvantages, the manufacturing and engineering sectors are still in their early stages. It requires courage to take the risk and venture into unfamiliar territory, but success will undoubtedly establish you as a thought leader and trendsetter. Additionally, you will be well ahead of those who embark on their journey later.
Most digital transformation projects fail due to a lack of clear objectives, poor planning and trying to get everything done in one go. For someone inexperienced, you should aim for taking baby steps that, in retrospect, will have more impact than ambitious yet difficult strides. This is why we recommend starting with Timesheet Portal. Although a powerful platform, we value simplicity and are very user-friendly, merrily providing guidance for those who are only starting the process of digitisation.
Although process automation is at its core, the manufacturing and engineering sectors lag behind in automating their back office functions. This creates considerable pressure on workers, especially project managers. Not only can this lead to long-term burnout, but it also harms overall business performance and leaves them at a disadvantage compared to competitors who are focusing on digitisation. Since it is an ongoing process of progress, time remains a critical factor.
SaaS solutions are essential tools to start the process. They can be combined and their functionality increases when integrated, although we recognise that the market's size might make taking the initial step seem intimidating. That's why we suggest beginning your journey with a timesheet solution - something that benefits both workers and the back office without overwhelming you.
So, are you prepared to start the journey? Let us accompany you.