The year is 2023. The pandemic is supposedly over, the cost of living crisis is demoralising, the future of the UK government is as uncertain, the costs of imports and exports are higher than we’ve known, global temperatures are rising rapidly, and the war in Ukraine is continuing – and yet we are still discussing barriers to adoption of digital technology! This should not be the case. It is shocking for many of us in the industrial automation sector to discover how far away some companies are from even getting started on their digital transformation journeys. It shouldn’t be this way. So what are the obstacles manufacturers are seeing? I will discuss a few here, and also touch on some potential solutions, which we’ve discussed at Gambica meetings. One of the biggest barriers to the adoption of industrial digital technologies is the cost. These technologies can be perceived to be expensive to purchase and install, and businesses may be hesitant to invest in them if they are not sure of the return on investment. However, the cost of these technologies is coming down, and the benefits of adoption are becoming increasingly clear. Businesses that adopt industrial digital technologies can improve their productivity, efficiency and flexibility. They can also reduce their energy consumption and emissions. If they do not realise this is not, they may find it hard to justify the investment. Another barrier to adoption is a lack of technical expertise. Businesses may not have the in-house expertise to implement and maintain these technologies. However, there are training and support programmes available to help businesses overcome this barrier. In our sector, skilled labour is in high demand and, coupled with this, is the need for the labour force to be able to manage digital technologies. This helps counter the “robots stealing our jobs”argument because it emphasises the need for upskilling the existing workforce and thus creating new jobs. In some cases, the ideas outlined above may also be responsible for creating cultural resistance to adopting industrial digital technologies. Some businesses may be reluctant to change their ways of working, even if they see the benefits of adoption. Yet, it is important to remember that digital technologies are not a threat to jobs. Instead, they can create new jobs and opportunities. Another obstacle to implementation – and one which is also found in many European countries – is a lack of standards. There is no single standard for industrial digital technologies. This can make it difficult for businesses to choose the right technologies and to integrate them with other systems. Admittedly, it isn’t easy to create standards based on technologies which are evolving so rapidly, but there are several standards organisations working in this area, and this may help to encourage acceptance. One fear endusers may have is the lack of interoperability with existing systems, but standards could eventually help to overcome this. And finally, of course, is the limited support from Government. If there were more programmes to provide financial assistance, training and support, then SMEs might be more encouraged. There are currently a few schemes, but they are only made known to those who are in touch with associations who can help them find where to go. These opportunities are not as widely advertised as they should be. By addressing the cost, lack of technical expertise, cultural resistance, and need for standards, businesses can start to reap the benefits of these technologies and the returns on investment they bring. It is essential to create a clear vision and understanding of the benefits for businesses to be motivated to make the necessary investments. Clear leadership and support from management can help lead to success. Businesses need to be willing to experiment with new technologies and to learn from their mistakes. One of the best ways to do this is to build partnerships with other businesses and with organisations such as trade associations, Catapults and technology and innovation centres. By sharing resources, knowledge and expertise, businesses may find that they prosper faster than they initially assumed. So, get in touch with Gambica today.. n * Gambica is the trade association for the automation, control, instrumentation and laboratory technology sectors in the UK. You can get in touch with Nikesh Mistry on 020 7642 8094 or nikesh.mistry@gambica.org.uk, or via the Gambica Web site: www.gambica.org.uk Navigating around the digitalisation roadblocks Many UK manufacturers are deterred from adopting digital technologies by a variety of fears and obstacles – some real, others less so. Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for automation, considers some of these issues and how to tackle them. Some businesses may be reluctant to change their ways of working, even if they see the benefits of adoption. Yet, it is important to remember that digital technologies are not a threat to jobs. Instead, they can create new jobs and opportunities. 56 July/August 2023 www.drivesncontrols.com
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