Manufacturing

During this challenging time for the manufacturing sector, performance can be greatly improved based on how well manufacturers use their data to drive efficiencies, innovation and growth.

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How data analytics can help transform your manufacturing business

Specific areas where we use data analytics to help you

Manufacturers today face extraordinary challenges. Rapidly changing technology, shrinking timelines and the squeeze on margins mean the pressures have never been greater.

Yet it is also a time of immense opportunity. Manufacturers who use data analytics in their business can leave their competitors trailing.

Data analytics can help drive operational efficiencies in all areas, from production and processing to customer delivery and finance. It can also help quickly identify problem areas with your operations.

This is where Modus can help. We work with you to use your data to improve areas such as stock holding, supply chain and customer orders, as well as to identify your critical KPIs and enhance your decision making. This means helping you to use your data better rather than developing complicated algorithms.

We do this by applying a simple three-step process.

And we don’t just leave it there. We will continue to work with you and monitor your progress for as long as you need us.

Data will become an increasingly important commodity in the coming years.
– Sir Martin Sorrell

How it works


Initial meeting

We begin by meeting the senior management and trustees to understand your strategy and identify the key problems the charity faces. We want to get to the nub of the issues that are preventing you from reaching your goals.


Audit of data

We audit your data collection processes and work with you to agree new targets and devise new key performance indicators (KPIs). We will show you that the benefit of meeting these targets will outweigh the cost.


Action plan

We analyse your data and report back. We identify your current performance against the agreed KPIs and recommend changes to your operations. If we feel external data is required, we make recommendations and obtain this data. Finally, we help you put together and implement an action plan that will enable you to deliver your goals.

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Areas where analytics can provide you with valuable insight

Production

  • How long does a process take and how long should it take?
  • What is the price of raw materials or ingredients against expectation?
  • Can you use external data to maximise performance of your supply chain (both timing of supply and cost)?
  • Do you measure downtime for repairs and maintenance and wash down of machinery (predicted versus actual)? 
  • Can you measure wastage by ingredient and/or finished product versus expected output?
  • Do you measure stock lost by the end of the manufacturing process?
  • How much is employee downtime versus expected?
  • Do you consider new products and how are these tested?

Finance and KPIs

  • Are you able to group multiple raw materials so that you have an overall stock unit cost?
  • Do you analyse sales totals by outlet, product and customer?
  • Do you analyse gross profit margins by customer, outlet and product?
  • Do you know which products sell best in which outlet?
  • Do you analyse operating costs by line?
  • Do you accurately forecast cash on a rolling basis?
  • Are sales invoices automated from customer orders, with an ability to amend where product quantities differ from order (perhaps stock is out on a particular line?)
  • Are purchase invoices processed automatically onto your finance system?
  • Do you have an accurate picture of your debtors and do you collect them efficiently?
  • Do you record product delivered against actual orders per customer?

Order placing by customers

  • Do you optimise your production schedules for each product line (in other words, group orders efficiently), based on predictive analytics for orders and sales?
  • Do you maximise efficiency of stock holding (raw materials and finished products) based on sales and order analytics and looking at external data such as weather patterns or major events?
  • Have you automated your systems to bring in customer orders without a need for manual input?
  • Can you predict your customers’ orders based on previous sales and relevant external data?
  • Do you have an automated system for matching customer orders, with warehouse/factory dispatch notes, goods out notes and proof of delivery?
  • If your goods have a shelf life, can you measure expected life versus actual life, and also match to each customer's requirements?
  • Do you analyse reasons for customer complaints e.g. poor quality of product, wrong amounts delivered, etc.?
  • Do you understand how many returns you get and the reasons for them?

Order processing (supplier and internal)

  • Do you have automated systems for internal ordering (factory/warehouse/retail outlets)?
  • Do you have automated systems for supplier orders and matching to goods received and discrepancy reporting?
  • Do you use analytics to match orders to optimal production schedule?

Ready to find out more?

Arrange a meeting to discuss how you can use data in your manufacturing business.

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