Manufacturing has been experiencing a bit of an upheaval the last few years. From COVID-19 unraveling supply chains to the influence of consumerization, manufacturing organizations are forced to evolve in more ways than one. The ability to stay nimble in the face of unforeseen global catastrophes is now the name of the game. Simultaneously, manufacturers find themselves needing to cater to a consumer purchasing style that has infiltrated the B2B landscape.
How can manufacturers tackle all this and maintain profitability?
The answer lies in digital transformation, with digitizing manufacturing documents specifically a key component. Faster, more efficient digital document solutions like PDF and eSign can help introduce efficiencies in your value chain that every manufacturer desperately needs in today’s competitive, economically unstable environment.
Here we reveal specific use cases for digital documentation in manufacturing and several of the vital benefits this brings to the industry.
Manufacturing firms can’t stall on adopting digital transformation
Manufacturing operations are only getting more complex. And more complexity often means more paperwork. By digitizing manufacturing documents, you inherently begin simplifying your complicated manufacturing processes. You can better manage large volumes of files, speed up approvals and make contract management easy with solutions like PDF and eSign. These improvements bring you a level of cost-effectiveness you will never get with paper-based processes.
With much of your time freed from paper and its associated burdens, you’ll shorten processing times allowing you to do more in less time, reduce errors and increase productivity. The right digital transformation strategy will give every staff member more of their day back—allowing them to fulfill the role they were hired for instead of processing paperwork. And reduced mistakes mean less-stagnated workflows, helping you avoid bottlenecks and improve overall efficiency in your supply chain.
You’ll also see more reliant compliance and security. While you may think your legacy systems of filing papers are the only way to ensure security, the opposite is true. In today’s highly regulated environment, you cannot afford to risk lost or damaged paperwork. With the right vendor, PDF and eSign solutions keep all documents safe and compliant.
Learn more about high-trust eSigning in our Ultimate Guide to Electronic Signatures.
Finally, you’ll adapt to change quickly if you choose the right partner for your digital transformation. The right one will do all of the above while giving you easy access to your files from one place—available on multiple devices from any location with an internet connection. You’ll no longer be bound to physical limitations of paper.
How do I choose the right digital transformation partner?
If you’ve decided to make the move to digitalize your manufacturing processes, congratulations. You’re on your way to a stronger bottom line. There are some signs to watch for when evaluating the right document, PDF and eSign vendor, though. Here are the top considerations:
- Support should not be an expensive add-on. Look for providers that make dedicated customer service and success a built-in part of their offering without a high-cost entry point.
- There should be no surprise fees. The right vendor will be upfront about pricing and not ding you with extra charges when you suddenly need to shift gears.
- Make sure you get a real trial. It might be free, but is it adequate? Seek a vendor who will let you truly test their solution for an extended period with no restrictions to ensure it’s a right fit.
Questions about where to start with digital transformation? Contact Nitro’s manufacturing experts today.
Use cases for PDF, eSign & digital documentation in manufacturing
Here’s how real manufacturers are leveraging digital documents to transform their operations.
Automate multi-party collaboration
You often find yourself conducting projects that involve suppliers, stakeholders from various businesses, employees and many moving parts. The receipts, invoices and contracts that need to be managed among these participants can leave room for error if managed manually. Automation in digital documentation means you can easily ensure documents are sent to the right people and stored properly after they’ve completed their journey. You’ll also simplify agreements and approvals with electronic signature capabilities.
Develop training and user documentation faster
Items like technical documentation, operating instructions and user manuals are vital to your operation but often take so long to finalize. With manual ways of reviewing, editing and approving these essential documents, you stall their completion and publishing. Digital PDFs help expedite the drafting of these documents and enable you to disseminate them more quickly to the folks who need them to get their jobs done.
Make sustainability a part of your business
To learn how you can create simpler, more sustainable workflows, contact Nitro today.