There are 4 main trends… and if you want to stay ahead of the game, stick with us to find out more. Maybe you’re already rolling some of them out or perhaps you aren’t sure what some of them are. Either way, technology can empower you – if you let it.
Starting with the biggest shift in – not just manufacturing – practically every industry, we have digital transformation. The effects of the pandemic have proven that work can be done remotely. It’s no longer reserved for home-dwelling freelancers but can actually work at scale for fully-fledged businesses.
Moreover, the IT ability of teams is improving every year, as older generations leave the workforce and are replaced by people who have been surrounded by smartphones and tablets their whole life.
Beyond just remote work and distributed teams, the need for highly skilled teams of coders is now ebbing away. Low or no-code options for development – using tools like MS Power Platform – have meant that if your people can make logical decisions and understand their processes, then they can build apps.
The apps we all use are becoming standardized and slowly built on more cross-platform technologies. This is a necessity given the need for improved communication between remote teams. By using low or no-code you can reduce time to release and bring the impact of your development forward.
Again, heavily impacted by the past 2 years, you can barely recognize the supply chain now – compared with 2019. Because of the delays that every sector is now experiencing, production is largely lagging behind demand; meaning companies are now looking to vertically integrate like never before.
Although it sounds very buzzwordy, vertical integration is not actually a new concept and it has been used successfully by large businesses for decades. The difference now is that unpredictable disruptions have become a part of contingency planning for small and medium-sized businesses. The more of your supply chain you can absorb and control, the better you’ll do.
If you expected 4 week lead times in 2019 then right now you’re probably looking at at least 12. The impact of no production during Covid has created a backlog that even the most efficient producers are struggling to overcome. That, combined with rising fuel prices and a little incident in the Suez Canal last year, means that in 2026 manufacturers will be firming up their supply chain and trying to bring it closer to home.
The power of computing, as well as its increased accessibility, is giving companies everywhere the opportunity to really use the data that they have. Often businesses struggle with the siloing of data, which prevents them from making the most of the information that they have.
We wrote a piece on the use of data recently, looking at how to make data actionable – how to really use it. In the future, there will be fewer analysts but more analysis. That might sound counterintuitive but the reasons for that are simple – AI and machine learning are getting stronger and stronger.
When we talk about strength, it isn’t just raw processing power or programmed intelligence. It’s actually the nature of scalability; as much as anything. As data becomes more interconnected there will be a deeper and deeper well from which people can draw.
The further something is away from the source the less it can effectively communicate. Let’s break that down quickly. A production robot or machine in a manufacturing facility is the final point of contact in a long line of technology. The source sends out a request for manufacture and this travels across a large network and eventually, the instruction reaches the machine.
What if every machine in a plant was connected, talking to each other? Well, that’s the premise behind IoT – the Internet of Things. The broad concept is that by connecting more of those pieces of an operation you can collect more data and use that data more effectively.
We have a more detailed look at production tech but what you really need to know is that if your devices are connected you can find out the moment something happens. If a machine is failing or falling out of tolerance you’ll know the second it happens. Rather than relying on a busy, human production force under pressure from struggling supply chains, you can let your tech talk to you directly.
Well, there are the 4 big trends that we see rising up in 2026 but as we’ve spotted in the past few years, predictions aren’t always enough. What we can say for certain though is that by having more control over your data, your digital presence, and your supply chain, you stand the best chance of making 2022 a great year.
To learn about how Intwo can help you make the most of these tech trends, get in touch.
The four biggest technology trends in manufacturing are digital transformation, AI and machine learning for smarter analytics, supply chain vertical integration, and low-code application development. Digital transformation has accelerated since the pandemic, with more teams working remotely and relying on cloud-based tools. AI is enabling deeper and faster data analysis with fewer human analysts. Supply chain disruptions are pushing manufacturers to take more direct control over sourcing and logistics. And low-code platforms are helping teams build custom solutions without needing large development teams.
Digital transformation in manufacturing goes beyond just adopting new software. It means rethinking how every part of the operation works, from production planning to supply chain management to customer delivery. The pandemic proved that manufacturing teams can operate effectively with remote-first and digital-first approaches. As older generations leave the workforce and are replaced by people who grew up with technology, the overall IT capability of manufacturing teams is improving rapidly. This shift is making cloud-based collaboration, real-time data, and connected systems the new standard across the industry.
In the future, manufacturing will have fewer analysts but significantly more analysis. AI and machine learning are getting stronger in terms of processing power and, more importantly, in scalability. As data across production lines, supply chains, and customer channels becomes more interconnected, AI can draw from a deeper and deeper pool of information. It identifies patterns, flags anomalies, and conducts predictive analytics that keep manufacturers one step ahead of problems. AI does not replace human expertise but amplifies it by handling the volume and speed of analysis that humans simply cannot match.
Low-code and no-code platforms allow manufacturing teams to build custom applications and automate workflows without needing specialized coding skills. The apps used across manufacturing are becoming more standardized and built on cross-platform technologies, which makes this approach practical even for non-technical users. For manufacturers that need custom dashboards, equipment monitoring tools, or workflow automations, low-code development reduces the time from idea to working solution. This means faster innovation and quicker responses to operational challenges without the cost and delay of traditional software development.
The supply chain disruptions of recent years fundamentally changed how manufacturers think about sourcing and logistics. Delays that every sector now experiences have forced companies to look at vertical integration like never before. This means taking more direct control over raw materials, production inputs, and distribution rather than relying entirely on external suppliers. Technology supports this shift by providing data-driven visibility into supply chain performance, enabling better demand forecasting, and helping manufacturers plan around disruptions before they impact production schedules.
Vertical integration is when a company takes ownership of more stages in its supply chain rather than depending on outside suppliers for every input. In manufacturing, this could mean sourcing raw materials directly, managing your own warehousing, or handling distribution to end customers. While vertical integration is not a new concept, unpredictable supply chain disruptions have made it a necessity rather than just a strategy for large corporations. Small and medium manufacturers are now building contingency plans that include taking more control over the parts of the chain that affect their ability to deliver.
In manufacturing, a production machine on the factory floor is the final point in a long line of technology. The source sends instructions that travel across a network before reaching the machine. If systems along that chain are disconnected, data gets delayed, distorted, or lost entirely. Better data connectivity ensures that information flows seamlessly from sensors and machines through to management dashboards in real time. This gives decision-makers instant visibility into production status, equipment health, and supply chain conditions, enabling faster and smarter responses at every level.
Cloud technology gives manufacturers the ability to access data, applications, and collaboration tools from anywhere on any device. Instead of relying on on-premises servers that require constant maintenance, cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure provide scalable, secure, and always-available infrastructure. Manufacturing teams can monitor production remotely, share real-time data across locations, and integrate systems like ERP, CRM, and IoT platforms into one connected environment. The cloud also enables access to advanced tools like AI, machine learning, and analytics that would be too expensive to build and maintain on local infrastructure.
Start by identifying where your biggest operational gaps are. Look at which processes are still manual, where data is disconnected, and which decisions are being made without real-time information. Build a technology roadmap that prioritizes high-impact areas like production visibility, supply chain management, and predictive maintenance. Invest in cloud platforms that your teams can adopt without extensive retraining. And work with a technology partner who understands manufacturing and can guide you through adoption at a pace that balances modernization with business continuity.
Intwo has over 20 years of experience helping manufacturing companies embrace digital transformation with Microsoft technologies. They implement Azure cloud infrastructure for scalable operations, Dynamics 365 ERP for finance and supply chain management, and data and AI solutions for real-time insights. Intwo also supports low-code development through Microsoft Power Platform and provides ongoing managed services to keep everything running securely and efficiently. With clients like Bosch, Siemens, and Scandinavian Tobacco, Intwo understands the unique challenges manufacturers face and delivers solutions that drive measurable improvements across the entire production lifecycle.
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