Innovation on the factory floor is no longer some relic of the past; now, this is due to automation and digital transformation.
Today, manufacturing giants are facing a new challenge: attracting and retaining the digital-native workforce of Millennials and Gen Z. So to meet this head-on, a recent survey by Riverbed, a provider of unified observability, revealed a surprising shift in the manufacturing landscape – one where CIOs are taking center stage and digital employee experience is becoming a strategic priority.
The Riverbed Global Digital Employee Experience Survey 2023, conducted by Sapio Research, revealed that 95% of leaders in the sector recognize the critical link between a seamless DEX and attracting and retaining the next generation of talent. This realization is fueled by the reality that a global skills shortage threatens to cripple production and hinder innovation.
“With globalization, the manufacturing sector has changed significantly as the competition in domestic and international markets for manufactured goods has intensified,” said Jim Gargan, CMO, at Riverbed. “Manufacturing today involves higher levels of technology, innovation and advanced business models and processes, which requires IT to deliver a seamless digital experience for the entire workforce, including digital natives."
The survey highlights this shift in priorities, showcasing a notable change in the role of CIOs within manufacturing organizations. No longer relegated to back-office operations, CIOs are given more resources and a larger presence in the C-suite. This strategic move allows them to champion DEX initiatives to make certain that technology investments align with the needs of a modern workforce.
The survey also showed the specific DEX challenges facing manufacturers. Respondents identified lack of IT talent/skills, budget constraints, lack of appropriate SaaS or cloud services, lack of sufficient observability tools and too much data as the top obstacles hindering their ability to deliver on the digital employee experience.
“Our survey found that while nearly all manufacturers are facing at least one major obstacle to delivering on the digital experience, these organizations are investing in technology, including observability and AI, to address these challenges,” said Gargan. “With the Alluvio Unified Observability suite, our manufacturing customers are gaining actionable insights and leveraging automation to deliver a better digital experience that leads to greater efficiency, quality and production.”
By investing in DEX initiatives and leveraging technologies like unified observability, manufacturing companies can create a work environment that attracts and retains the talent they need to thrive in the digital age. This translates to increased productivity, improved quality control and a competitive advantage.
Be part of the conversation to understand the Future of Work and how employee experiences are changing at Future of Work Expo 2024. The conference focuses on key elements of today's re-imagined workplace; not just for improving productivity, but also providing better experiences through the intersection of technology like AI and the vital human element. Future of Work Expo is part of the #TECHSUPERSHOW experience, taking place February 13-15, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Edited by
Alex Passett
