5 Current Trends in Operations Management in 2020 (COVID-19)

The world we are living in now is much different than the one that we are used to. As COVID-19 has made waves across the world, we are seeing distinct changes within manufacturing and the economy, in which supply chains are disrupted and production is coming to a halt. 2020 has put supply chain and manufacturing on the map, which is why it is ever so important to ensure that you are updated and keeping up with the current situations pertaining to COVID, manufacturing, and operations management.

While there are many aspects to understand pertaining to COVID, manufacturing and operations management is still going down a roughly similar path as it was before, with emphasis on a few more areas. Understanding these trends are key when determining adequate preparation and determining the right outcome to take. Therefore, we are going to discuss the trends of operations management in 2020, post COVID19.

Top 5 Trends for Operations Management 2020 (Post COVID19)

The top trends pertaining to operations management in 2020 (post COVID19) pertain to the following:

• Organizational Communication Streamlining – Utilizing communication tools for your organization can be vital during this time, especially as new information is being broadcasted and exchanged on a daily basis. There are many different communication tools that can be utilized, such as Slack, Teams, Flock, etc. While these tools are beneficial, they at times can fail to incorporate frontline workers or any employee that is not behind a desk. Enhanced communication can be extremely beneficial and may boost a manufacturer’s bottom line as more information is exchanged. Streamlining organization communication to both management and frontline workers is essential.
• Automation Efficiency – Automation has been a long discussed topic within manufacturing. As automation continues to develop rather quickly, we can easily see an increase in profitability and productivity as these technologies are implemented into production lines. This has become a hot topic again as the future has become uncertain and robots and automation do not require human intervention.
• Frontline Workers Upskilling ­– Businesses and manufacturing facilities will have to navigate the aftermath of COVID19 for a substantial period of time. Operations managers will need to locate creative ways to save their companies time and money. One of the most substantial challenges includes companies experiencing backlogs due to poorly trained workers. 2020 is the time where training accessibility and enhancement will be key in determining the outcome of your operational efficiency.
• Health and Safety Emphasis – For obvious reasons, safety and health will be another key factor for the upcoming months and years. Individuals and employees will be particularly health conscience for a period of time, in which health and safety will be a top priority for all operations managers. It is important to remain updated and understand the important of health and safety when attempting to improve your facility.
• Demand Responsiveness Improvement ­ - By far one of the most key aspects to understand and look into is demand responsiveness. In a matter of only a few weeks, demand for some goods dramatically changed and left businesses baffled. Whether it was a substantial increase or a drastic decrease, demand responsiveness and being agile was extremely important. Depending on your industry, it is important to be prepared for any potential surge and decline in demand, especially as seasons change and we prepared for a second wave.

A software that can aid with demand responsiveness and help operations managers with their facility is PlanetTogether’s Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) Software. Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APSS Software is a must for manufacturing facilities that are seeking to take their production to the next level and ultimately enhance efficiency within their overall operation.

Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software 

Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software has become a must for modern-day manufacturing operations due to customer demand for increased product mix and fast delivery combined with downward cost pressures. APS can be quickly integrated with a ERP/MRP software to fill gaps where these system lack planning and scheduling flexibility and accuracy. Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) helps planners save time while providing greater agility in updating ever-changing priorities, production schedules, and inventory plans.

• Create optimized schedules balancing production efficiency and delivery performance
• Maximize output on bottleneck resources to increase revenue
• Synchronize supply with demand to reduce inventories
• Provide company-wide visibility to capacity
• Enable scenario data-driven decision making

Implementation of Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software will take your manufacturing operations to the next level of production efficiency, taking advantage of the operational data you already have in your ERP.