Report Reviews Trends Impacting U.S. Manufacturing
Survey data shows the value American manufacturers place on ERP in managing the impact of tariffs. The research also shows that manufacturer optimism in the current administration’s regulation plans has declined.
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ECi Software Solutions, provider of cloud-based business management solutions, recently announced a new research report on the business and technology trends impacting the manufacturing industry. The report details the findings from an independent survey commissioned by ECi that examined the impact of powerful forces such as digital transformation, Industry 4.0, the current regulatory climate, and automation on U.S. manufacturers. The findings indicate the role technology is playing in the American manufacturing resurgence, with 89 percent of respondents confirming they had increased investments in technology in the last 18 months.
Here is a sample of some of the key findings:
- From March to July, there was an 11 percent decrease in the belief that the steel and aluminum tariffs would benefit manufacturers, and a 12 percent increase in the belief that the tariffs would not benefit them.
- 67 percent of respondents confirmed that ERP was either very effective or effective in managing the impact of tariffs, particularly by providing supply chain visibility, resource planning and job costing.
- 73 percent of respondents indicated that their core business processes are automated by software and are reaping the benefits—most notably by reducing errors and improving accuracy, employee job satisfaction and productivity.
“Our research confirms what an exciting and tumultuous year this has been for U.S. manufacturers, and we can only anticipate that these trends will continue to impact their business operations in the year to come,” says Jeff Ralyea, ECi Manufacturing Division president. “The data also confirms the value of ERP in helping manufacturers of all sizes mitigate the challenges and chances the industry presents.”
The survey was conducted by Berg Research, who was commissioned by ECi Software Solutions to survey 209 respondents from medium and large U.S. manufacturers who make or influence IT decisions within their organizations in March 2018. Berg Research also surveyed 203 respondents from medium and large U.S. manufacturers who make or influence IT decisions within their organizations in July 2018.
The full industry report is available for download on the ECi website.
