How the Role of IT in Manufacturing Is Evolving
As digital technology and generative AI tools advance and change the way companies operate, the role of IT in manufacturing should also evolve to meet the needs of the business and end users.
Historically, metals IT departments have been viewed as support teams that field requests for new technologies and troubleshoot problems with existing systems. But as technology becomes integrated into metals business strategy, the role of IT must change from simply reacting to tech support requests to proactively supporting business outcomes.
Without refocusing the role of IT, metals companies might miss opportunities that various technologies can provide. Businesses that fail to make the necessary organizational adjustments risk falling behind their competitors that are using technology to get ahead.
Metals companies must create a companywide shift in how they view IT and how IT operates. While adjustments can be slight, the roles and responsibilities of IT teams, end users, and leaders should realign to support a technology mindset.
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3 ways roles should shift as IT in manufacturing evolves
A digital-first approach requires teams across an organization to make adjustments to their processes regarding technology. Following are three examples of how roles should shift as companies adopt more technology solutions.
End users should highlight needs and challenges
End users often work closely in the day-to-day operations of a metals business, and they are intricately aware of the struggles and inefficiencies in the business. In many companies, employees’ relationships with IT involve submitting requests when technology malfunctions or when an upgrade to a tool is necessary.
To operate more holistically, companies should stop thinking of IT as just a team of fixers. For example, a ticket request for IT can offer an explanation about the end goal a department is trying to reach rather than a description of what isn’t working. IT teams can then offer smarter solutions that don’t just patch a problem but also help move the business forward.
IT teams should understand the business
Integrating technology into business processes requires knowledge about the latest technology trends and tools, including the similarities and differences among solutions and knowledge about business goals and processes. IT teams should lean more heavily into understanding the business side of the company so that when technology solutions are presented, they can better determine whether the product is a good fit.
IT teams can become more knowledgeable about the business by asking more questions. When an IT request comes in, workers can be more inquisitive about the end goals users are hoping to achieve. Rather than simply fixing a problem, IT teams can proactively support business growth by looking for opportunities in the company to better use technology.
Leaders should evaluate whether external support is necessary
Metals company IT leaders must establish an expectation of their area of expertise and clarify when they will look for external support. Because of the complexity and pace of change in technology, it is unrealistic to expect a single team member to be fully knowledgeable about all aspects of a metals company’s technology stack.
Setting expectations regarding which roles require deep, internal knowledge and which roles might need external support helps create an environment of collaboration and avoid unnecessary confrontation and anxiety.
Establish a new perspective on IT in manufacturing at your metals company
If your metals company is thinking about or actively adopting new technologies, you can take steps to shift the perspectives of your IT teams, end users, and leaders to support a digital-first approach. IT teams should no longer be known just as technical support but rather as critical players in pursuit of business growth.
At Crowe, our team of technology consultants is well-versed in the latest metals technology and has decades of experience helping metals companies in their digital transformation journey. We’re here to help you support your teams, determine which technologies might be best for your company, and implement metals solutions to help bring your company into the future. Reach out today to talk to one of our metals specialists.
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