Australian manufacturers learn to leverage technology as a solution-fit application
Announcement posted by A2K Technologies 31 Oct 2013
BRISBANE, QLD, 31 October 2013 - Australian manufacturers heard they need to embrace new technology, leverage it as a solution-fit application, and apply it to their overall business, at the Manufacturing Technology event series, co-presented by A2K Technologies and Autodesk in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne this week.
Attendees saw how the effective use of technology for competitive advantage is more than just about software and hardware, but also about implementing business processes designed to match the way these are used.
Manufacturers also heard they are likely to be missing opportunities to improve their business through use of technology.
A2K’s Senior Solutions Consultant, JC Davis said “the greatest challenge to manufacturers in implementing a lean manufacturing strategy is attacking those processes that cause waste.”
“Value engineering, synergies between business lines and systems, upstream and downstream connectivity, automated processes, and interoperability and connectivity, are examples of what can be taken into account when designing business processes to increase efficiency.
“Unfortunately, many smaller Australian manufacturers without a dedicated IT department are unaware they can close these gaps between software and their business. Experienced people are tied up maintaining systems rather than innovating,” said Davis.
Autodesk’s Senior Technical Sales Specialist (MFG), Jeff Gale added many businesses knew they were wasting money through inefficiencies, but found it difficult to quantify, or even acknowledge, as it is not a cost that can be seen on a profit and loss statement.
Gale identified four key benefits manufacturers could achieve through business process assessment that considered their technological configuration: increasing business, gaining greater market share, improving quoting efficiency, and reducing costs.
“It’s critical to crystalise what you think is happening, and what is really happening,” said Gale.
Using a demonstration of how to fill voids and create fluid volumes for a choke valve, A2K Technical Consultant, Niall Smyth showed attendees how Autodesk’s Inventor and Simulation CFD 2014 can be used to ensure product quality, reliability and performance, through the ability to quickly create design scenarios.
“Manufacturers can’t differentiate on cost alone,” said Smyth. "It’s important to get it right the first time with agile product development for fit, form and function.”
A2K Technologies provide a structured methodology to manufacturers for business process assessment, involving analysing processes and prioritising focus areas, identifying improvement opportunities, maximising use of existing tools and technology, and establishing implementation strategies based on business value.
ABOUT A2K TECHNOLOGIES
A2K Technologies is an industry-leading solutions, training, consulting and management firm specialising in design technology.
With a multi-million dollar turnover and over 150 staff across Australia, New Zealand and China, A2K Technologies is Australia’s largest Autodesk channel partner.
Our highly knowledgeable and industry-experienced staff in the infrastructure, building, mining and manufacturing sectors allow us to offer superior support to our customers to help them enhance their organisational capabilities, deliver on project outcomes and differentiate from the competition.
Once equally successful separate entities, AEC Systems, KarelCAD and ADA CADPartners merged in February 2013 to form A2K Technologies. Now, their combined leadership and innovation is driving the highest level of solution expertise, service and support for all design, facilities management, operations, maintenance and construction requirements.