Why Manufacturers Must Invest in Tech, Training
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Why Manufacturers Must Invest in Tech, Training
Manufacturers are falling short in security, aren’t doing enough to protect intellectual property and sensitive data, and need to invest in a skilled workforce. -
Economic Outlook
While only 29% of manufacturers are more optimistic about the U.S. economy than they were in the last 12 months, a slightly bigger percentage (31%) expect the world economy to grow in the next 12 months. -
Growth Opportunities
More than two-fifths (44%) of manufacturers expect organic growth in the domestic market in the next 12 to 18 months, while 14% see M&A activity as an opportunity for growth during this period. -
Lack of Skilled Workers
51% of manufacturers expect the lack of qualified workers to be a major barrier to business growth. -
Limited Workforce Investment
Few are making an effort "in developing skilled laborers by involvement in" community colleges (1%), universities (4%), vocational schools (10%) and high schools (4%). -
Rising Employee Costs
A full 85% of manufacturers expect labor costs to rise by 1% to 4%, and 49% expect average wages for employees to grow by 1% to 2%. -
Cutting Operational Costs Is Key
43% of respondents said cutting operational costs is a top priority. -
Rising Incidents
The report points to data from Verizon attributing more than 60% of 525 security incidents in the manufacturing industry to some form of cyber-espionage. -
Security Vulnerability
44% of manufacturers do not perform annual penetration testing within their IT group, and 25% are not sure if they perform this annual test. -
Business Drivers
Improving customer service and response time (51%) and reducing costs (38%) are the top drivers apt have an impact on manufacturing’s technology strategy in 2016. -
R&D Investments
18% of manufacturers are investing more than 5% in R&D, and 82% are investing less than 5% in R&D.
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Defining MSPs' Goals, Challenges and Tools 
Why Metrics Matter to the Channel Manufacturers face the same corporate priorities and challenges as many organizations across industry sectors. However, manufacturers are falling short in cyber-security and aren’t doing enough to protect intellectual property and sensitive data, according to a new report from professional services firm Sikich. The 2016 Manufacturing Report also reveals that manufacturers face a skilled labor shortage that can have an impact their growth, yet lack investments in training at the academic level. The survey of 109 manufacturers finds that two issues—customer service improvements and cost reductions—will have the biggest impact on their technology strategy this year. However, cutting operational costs will be their biggest priority in 2016. These issues translate into a need to invest in technology, including business software solutions. This is where companies in the channel can deliver services and solutions that improve their security, optimize their business processes and operations, and fill in gaps in their skilled labor force, which ultimately affects growth and profitability. Channel Insider examines 10 key takeaways from the survey.