Emerging technologies have been making their way to the forefront of after-sales service for years. Drones and driverless cars are making Jetson-like inventions a reality, and the possibilities behind augmented and virtual reality have endless opportunities in field service. Even 3D printing is anticipated to grow by more than 31 percent before 2020, generating more than $21 billion in global revenue.
As these technologies evolve and new trends emerge, service professionals must be equipped to use them to their advantage to become more efficient and effective. But, adoption with things like 3D printing and autonomous cars has been slow for many; the legitimacy of it all leaving manufacturers in disbelief.
But that disbelief seems to be fading, as even Merriam Webster had added “Internet of Things” as a newly defined term of 2017. It’s officially defined as “the networking capability that allows information to be sent to and received from objects and devices (such as fixtures and kitchen appliances) using the Internet.”
Thanks to the ongoing innovations in service, technology like IoT is becoming mainstream, and it’s only the beginning for more emerging advances on the horizon. Here are three more technologies that are impacting manufacturing innovation and service today:
1. Advanced Materials
Advanced materials, by definition, are all new materials and modifications to existing materials to obtain elevated performance in one or more characteristics critical to the application’s overall success. How does this affect manufacturing? Advanced materials, such as Teflon and Kevlar, have the potential to fuel emerging multi-billion dollar industries, including things like advanced composites, which have to date been largely restricted to use in a limited number of high-cost applications.
2. Cloud Computing
Similar to IoT, cloud-based computing uses network connected remote services to manage and process data. Manufacturers are increasingly using cloud computing across geographic locations to share data, allowing for better and more accurate business decisions. This burgeoning technology helps reduces costs, improve quality control, and ultimately shorten production times, improving service from the top down.
3. Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology, the dealing of matter between 1 and 100 nanometers (aka one-billionth of a meter) was traditionally used in the aerospace and biomedical arenas. But now, the growing technology is being used to manufacture things like stronger, more lightweight materials for boats, sporting equipment, and auto parts. Like advanced materials, this kind of innovation can have a drastic effect on the creation of service parts and replacements.
If embraced correctly, technological advancements can allow manufacturers to create higher quality goods faster than ever before, at a lower cost. This improvement can help manufacturers realize more efficient operations to become more competitive in their respective industries.
And as organizations continue to improve their current operations, optimize their service processes, and prep their organizations for new advancements, the shift from a break-fix field service model to a world focused on maximized uptime will happen thanks to the emerging technology of today.
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Interested in more information on emerging technology? Download our free Syncron Orange Paper, the State of Emerging Tech in Field Service. Stay tuned for more content on this topic as the industry changes and evolves.
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