When it comes to investing in new digital technologies, today’s manufacturing leaders tend to approach with understandable caution and skepticism, with some dismissing the idea of “new-fangled digital solutions”.

The focus of industry leaders over the past few years hasn’t so much been on innovation, but on survival, with obstacles such as the disruption of Brexit and COVID-19 taking their toll on many SME manufacturing organizations.

But there’s a problem.

Whilst these organizations may have avoided digital innovation so far – perhaps for sound business and financial reasons – the world continues to change around them. The fact is that manufacturing, like every other area of society, is going through a technological industrial revolution. Ultimately, a blanket resistance to change can only end in obsolescence.

To remain relevant, manufacturing businesses must find ways of understanding and taking part in the revolution. The key question is how?

Why Should Manufacturing Organizations Embrace Innovation?

Digital manufacturing potentially offers companies more personalized, customized products, and improved process efficiencies. It also promises to optimize inventory management, logistics and productivity.

With so many new opportunities facing them, it can be challenging for manufacturers to identify the right steps for growth. Options range from simply automating parts and inventory replenishment from suppliers to aiming to create fully automated and digitized factories, right through to managing products when they’re in use by customers.

Where to Start with Digital Transformation?

Let’s take just one example – from the built environment sector. Here, the transformative digital process of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has enormous implications for manufacturers of construction products.

BIM uses three-dimensional digital modeling and intelligent structured data to bring together all the components that make up a construction project in the development stage. It creates a common language, shared knowledge, and increased transparency between all the parties involved, from the main contractor through to sub-contractors, specialists, and professionals. Among other outcomes, BIM means that specifiers, such as architects and designers, are increasingly interacting with their supply chain in a different way, using digital versions of products – BIM Objects – in the development and design process.

If you are a manufacturer of construction products, BIM changes your route to market. In effect, online BIM Object libraries are your new shop window, providing visibility of your products to specifiers. Many manufacturers are now producing BIM Objects – or ‘digital twins’ – of their products so they can be viewed and specified. Success in this area is turning some manufacturers into preferred suppliers. Failure is leaving others on the sidelines with their products left unseen and unsold.

And it’s far from just the makers of building products who are overcoming risks and grasping opportunities presented by technological change. There are digital solutions emerging across the whole spectrum of the manufacturing industry, and BSI is working with key partners in numerous sectors to develop standards and recommendations to help manufacturers operate in a more connected and digital manner.

To read more on the topic of Building Information Modelling (BIM), click here.

A standards-based approach to innovation

Across the industry, BSI is focused on a standards-based approach to shape best practices and increase confidence and trust to benefit the wider market. They offer clear frameworks to help organizations create the right infrastructure for capturing and implementing ideas, understanding what works and what doesn’t, and maximizing value.

Continuing the example of BIM, BSI has influenced the development of BS EN ISO 19650, the first international standard for information management using BIM, published in 2019, which has improved communication and trust across the supply chain.

Adopting a standards-based approach, coupled with good communication to break down barriers and build support, is a major stride towards the successful adoption of BIM and achieving digital transformation in the built environment sector.

Standards can help in every aspect of adopting digital innovation, not just in construction.

The BS EN ISO 56000 series helps organizations introduce an innovation management system to identify the most important challenges, capture the right ideas, seize the best opportunities and properly manage emerging trends and risks.

BS EN ISO 56002:2021 Innovation management system gives guidance for businesses looking to adopt an innovation management system.

BS EN ISO 56003:2021 Innovation management tools and methods for innovation partnerships gives guidance to organizations on the tools and methods for innovation partnership, supports wider innovation training for staff, and provides guidance on how innovation partnerships are managed so that collaborative efforts become mutually beneficial.

PD CEN ISO/TR 56004:2020 Innovation management assessment provides guidance on how organizations can carry out effective innovation management assessments and why it is important to manage innovation in a systematic manner.

BS EN ISO 56005 Innovation management tools and methods for intellectual property provides guidelines for supporting the role of intellectual property within innovation management. Efficient management of intellectual property is key to support the process of innovation, is essential for organizations' growth and protection, and is their engine for competitiveness.

Public document PD CEN/TX 16555 series (parts 2, 3, 4, and 6) should also be adopted by organizations wanting to embrace digital innovation. This technical specification series provides guidance on establishing and maintaining an innovation management system (IMS), including strategic intelligence, innovation thinking, intellectual property management, and creativity management.

Management teams could also use BS EN ISO 44001 to further support collaborative business relationships. This standard offers specific guidance around knowledge sharing and managing joint objectives to build better relationships and improve innovative results.

PAS 1040 helps manufacturers assess their own digital readiness and to be able to make better, more informed investments in digital capabilities.

When preparing your business to adopt new digital technologies, it is also vital that manufacturing businesses have a system in place to protect your organization’s information security. Protecting personal records and commercially sensitive information is critical. BS EN ISO/IEC 27001 helps you implement a robust approach to managing information security (infosec) and building resilience.

For further guidance to help support your manufacturing organization embrace digital innovation, add our innovation standards to your collection today.

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