Strategies and Tips for Building a Modern Manufacturing Tech Stack

In today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape, building a modern tech stack is not just a strategic advantage but a necessity for maintaining competitiveness. During Tulip’s recent Operations Calling conference, Heatherly Bucher, Director of Strategic Alliances at Arena by PTC, convened with Chad Wright, Chief Information Officer at Boston Dynamics, and Todd Fuller, Solution Architect at Rootstock, to discuss effective approaches for constructing a tech stack that fosters innovation and efficiency.

UNDERSTANDING TECHNOLOGY STACKS

A technology (or tech) stack combines various software applications and is used by organizations to help streamline their processes. In the case of manufacturing, a tech stack typically includes product lifecycle management (PLM), quality management system (QMS), enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain management (SCM), manufacturing execution systems (MES), and other platforms.

THE POWER OF A UNIFIED TECH STACK: STREAMLINING OPERATIONS AND REDUCING IT COMPLEXITY

A well-integrated tech stack ensures that different software systems communicate seamlessly with each other and improves the flow of information across different functional areas. According to Chad Wright, CIO at Boston Dynamics, “Establishing a cohesive tech ecosystem allows for seamless operations—a single source of truth across customer, product, and order data, which significantly reduces technical debt and integration complexities.” Boston Dynamics runs their customer business operations on a Salesforce platform, extending the system with Rootstock ERP. Through partnerships with Arena, Rootstock, and Tulip, they leverage plug-and-play connections to easily flow data across these PLM, ERP, and MES systems. Consequently, the company can efficiently manage product development processes without the traditional IT burdens.

KEY BENEFITS OF MODERNIZING YOUR MANUFACTURING TECH STACK

• Efficiency Gains: Integrated systems reduce the need for redundant data entry and manual interventions, leading to enhanced productivity.
• Flexibility and Scalability: Modern tech stacks offer adaptability to changing business needs without the costly overhauls associated with legacy systems.
• Cost-Effectiveness: By reducing the need for extensive custom integrations, companies can allocate resources more strategically.

EMBRACING INTERCONNECTIVITY: SEAMLESS INTEGRATION IN MANUFACTURING TECH

Interconnectivity is a cornerstone of a modern manufacturing tech stack. Heatherly Bucher emphasized the importance of partnerships and APIs in creating a seamless flow of information between systems. Arena’s multi-tenant cloud approach and low-code connection capabilities enable easy, secure connections to other upstream and downstream platforms, ensuring that engineering and operations are aligned. “Our goal is to say yes to as many integration requests as possible and to make it simple for customers,” stated Bucher.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

• Adopt a Modular Approach: Choose systems that can easily integrate and adapt to future technological advancements.
• Focus on Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ensure that IT and business units work closely to align technology with business objectives.
• Leverage Low-Code/No-Code Solutions: These platforms empower users to create custom integrations and workflows, reducing dependency on specialized IT resources.

CULTURAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

Implementing a modern tech stack is as much about culture as it is about technology. Successful adoption depends on understanding and aligning with the organizational structure and processes. As Wright pointed out, it’s crucial to have executive sponsorship and a culture that supports continuous improvement. Companies must cultivate an environment where innovation is encouraged, and teams are empowered to leverage new tools to optimize operations.

Key Cultural Elements:

• Leadership Support: Strong executive backing is essential for driving tech initiatives and fostering a culture of innovation.
• Continuous Learning and Development: Encourage teams to stay abreast of technological trends and their applications.
• Agility and Responsiveness: Foster a nimble organizational structure that can quickly adapt to technological and market changes.

DRIVING EFFICIENCY AND INNOVATION THROUGH CONNECTED SYSTEMS

Building a modern manufacturing tech stack is a strategic imperative for companies aiming to stay ahead in a competitive market. By focusing on interconnectivity, cultural alignment, and leveraging the latest technologies, organizations can drive significant improvements in efficiency and innovation.

Gather more insights into building a best-in-class manufacturing tech stack, hear predictions into the future of manufacturing technology, and more by watching the on-demand recording here.