Digital technologies play a crucial role in driving efficiency, innovation, and growth. Let’s explore the top priorities for industrial manufacturers and how Process Intelligence is revolutionizing the industry.
Top Priorities for Industrial Manufacturers
According to Gartner’s Top Industrial Manufacturing Trends for 2025, manufacturers are focusing on five key outcomes through digital technology investments:
- Increase throughput — speed, capacity, and agility
- Improve the digital workplace
- Grow revenue from existing customers
- Develop, market, or launch new products or services
- Reduce production cost per unit
While most of these goals are familiar to manufacturers, the emphasis on improving the digital workplace stands out. This priority touches every aspect of modern manufacturing, from employee engagement to process optimization, and drives better results across all other areas.
The Role of Digital Twins and Process Intelligence
Digital twins, virtual replicas of physical assets, processes, or systems, are key enablers in achieving these outcomes. They provide valuable insights into real-world performance. However, the concept of digital twins extends beyond IoT-driven replicas of physical assets.
Process Intelligence (PI) tools, such as Celonis or UiPath Process Mining, act as digital twins for business processes. These tools offer:
- Real-time, end-to-end views of workflows
- Identification of bottlenecks and inefficiencies
- Simulation of improvements before implementation
Why Process Intelligence Matters in Manufacturing
Manufacturing operations are inherently complex, involving multiple systems and processes across the production lifecycle. Traditional analysis methods often rely on manual mapping or limited data points, resulting in incomplete insights. Process Intelligence transforms this landscape by:
- Automating process discovery: PI analyzes event logs from ERP, MES, and CRM systems to provide a comprehensive view of operations.
- Visualizing real-time workflows: This allows manufacturers to pinpoint exactly where inefficiencies occur.
- Improving decision-making: AI/ML models predict outcomes, enabling data-driven decisions.
By adopting Process Intelligence, manufacturers can achieve greater agility, reduce costs, and enhance the employee experience – aligning perfectly with the industry’s 2025 priorities.
Implementing Process Intelligence in Manufacturing
To leverage Process Intelligence effectively, manufacturers can:
- Discover and analyze processes using tools like Celonis and UiPath Process Mining
- Identify automation opportunities to streamline workflows and reduce manual effort
- Simulate process changes and predict outcomes before implementation
- Utilize dashboards and analytics for ongoing insights and continuous improvement
This approach goes beyond traditional process mapping, delivering real-time insights that empower manufacturers to make smarter, faster decisions.
As the manufacturing industry continues to evolve, Process Intelligence will play an increasingly vital role in optimizing operations, reducing costs, and improving the digital workplace. By embracing these technologies, manufacturers can stay ahead of the curve and push the boundaries of what’s possible in modern manufacturing.
Considering the digital twin approach in 2025? Schedule a consultation to get started.
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