The business of custom metal fabrication boils down to having the right information at the right time. This applies to every step of every business opportunity—not only throughout each order cycle (initial quote to the final shipment), but how those orders change over time. Good information makes fabricators more competitive, and in the coming years, artificial intelligence (AI) will prove just how powerful good information can be.
Software overall has changed the way custom fabricators collect, process, and analyze data. Consider advances in enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms, especially in their ability to communicate and integrate with machines and external software programs, like nesting and shipping software, to lower costs and increase efficiency. AI takes these capabilities to new levels.
The competitive advantages that arise will push more importance on gathering the right data, be it in customer relationship management (CRM) systems, job quoting, job tracking, or time spent converting customer drawings into usable formats. All this will give AI the foundation custom fabricators need to truly change how jobs flow through the business and, ultimately, how they succeed in the market. Keeping manufacturing technology current keeps fabricators in the game, but those who make best use of information will win.
How Sales Will Change
Imagine a salesperson’s typical workday. They check on regular accounts; research key market areas; reach out to existing and new prospects; and meet with managers, quoting, and estimating personnel about new and potential work.
Pour lire l'article complet : AI drives metal fabrication forward (thefabricator.com)
