Artificial Intelligence for ecommerce in manufacturing

5 Ways AI is Transforming the Industry

Manufacturing is competitive in every sector, both locally and globally. With the rise of advanced technologies and innovative processes that elevate efficiency, drive business automation forward, and improve the bottom line, companies can minimize waste and maximize the efficiency of on-site and online returns.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Artificial intelligence and machine learning systems are transforming manufacturing in all sectors, giving businesses a competitive advantage and an opportunity to future-proof their operations for years to come. There's plenty to explore, from on-site AI-driven robotics to online AI chatbots, ecommerce solutions, and more.

With all that in mind, today, let’s take a closer look at the five ways that artificial intelligence and machine learning are taking manufacturing forward. 

The rise of AI-based robotics

Manufacturing has used robotics and automation in production for decades. Still, we are seeing a rapid investment in smart robotics and AI-driven solutions that aim to expedite on-site manufacturing processes while improving quality. AI in manufacturing can serve many different roles and purposes, such as automating repetitive tasks and decision-making in manufacturing facilities.

Manufacturers can use these robots to automate various tasks, such as

• Welding
• Drilling
• Die casting
• Grinding
• Painting
• Product inspection

That said, manufacturing facilities must also ship their products to their customers. Robots can help pick and sort orders to empower your sales on your digital channels and offline. Implementing advanced robotics means automating all of these processes to reduce the risk of human error and increase the overall uptime of your operation.

It’s also important to note that on-site AI robots can contribute greatly to human safety, while ecommerce emphasizes performance, risk mitigation, and overall efficiency. 

AI and machine learning are transforming manufacturing marketplaces

Over the years, manufacturing has ventured into the ecommerce sphere, and nowadays, the online world is rife with online marketplaces serving the manufacturing industry. Customers and suppliers from all over the world now have the opportunity to find the best manufacturers for their unique needs on global marketplaces that serve a multitude of different sectors.

To optimize the performance of these marketplaces and the user experience on these websites, business leaders are leveraging machine learning alongside artificial intelligence. As a key subset of artificial intelligence, machine learning can be instrumental in personalizing the user experience on the website and on different touch points such as email, social media, and direct communication.

Business leaders are leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize the performance of these marketplaces and the user experience on these websites. As a key subset of artificial intelligence, machine learning can be instrumental in personalizing the user experience on the website and different touch points such as email, social media, and direct communication. 

With machine learning, ecommerce marketplaces can scale dynamic pricing between different customers and customer groups, enabling everything from price monitoring and forecasting to fraud prevention and inventory optimization. 

Automation in ecommerce for manufacturing

It doesn’t matter if we talk about big marketplaces or individual ecommerce websites run by manufacturers; there is no denying that modern ecommerce integrations enable businesses to automate numerous repetitive and complex processes.

The emphasis of ecommerce for manufacturers is on inventory management and multi-channel sales enablement. Integration and enablement mean companies can effectively sell across various online and offline channels while ensuring they can fulfill every order on time. While robots can enable automation on-site, software automation and AI integrations can enable automation for the digital side of your manufacturing business.

You can also integrate smart solutions with your ERP system to connect your online and offline operations seamlessly. One of the biggest advantages of AI automation in the digital world is the ability to gather large amounts of data and process it quickly. AI-driven data analytics can quickly generate meaningful insights and do wonders for demand sensing, forecasting, and long-term facility management. 

Conversational AI for better communication and customer service

Artificial intelligence facilitates brand-consumer and brand-supplier communication across the manufacturing industry and in different sectors. In the ecommerce realm, AI-driven chatbot technology is improving communication in manufacturing by giving customers instant online support and 24/7 availability for the brand.

Whether you have an ecommerce component in your manufacturing business or not, there’s no denying that AI chatbots help create a positive user experience for your customers. You can use them to cross-sell and up-sell on your website and guide ready-to-buy customers to the best product solution for their needs.

The good thing about AI-driven chatbots is their machine learning component that allows them to improve their customer communication over time. Chatbots' data and customer experience lead to better personalization and user experience, allowing your sales and support experts to nurture leads and retain loyal customers. 

AI-driven, on-site inspection and quality control

Finally, it’s important to note that artificial intelligence, computer vision systems, and on-site software integration make quality control, inspection, and asset management more efficient and effective. While this indirectly helps improve digital commerce for manufacturers, it directly improves operational efficiency in the manufacturing facility.

Through automatic inspections and reporting, as well as asset maintenance and management, manufacturers can offset many on-site expenses and minimize financial waste while prolonging the life of their equipment and machinery. AI in the manufacturing industry provides systems that can schedule asset maintenance and notify you when equipment needs changing or fixing.

It can also improve quality control on the ground level using computer vision and sophisticated sensors to ensure quality workmanship and accuracy and that all products are built according to specs. 

Over to you

The manufacturing industry has always been the early adopter of innovative solutions, smart technologies, and AI-driven processes. The reasons for this are numerous, but it all comes down to developing your competitive advantage, minimizing inefficiencies, and maximizing output and sustainability for your business.

Now that you know which technologies are shaking up the industry the most, consider investing in these smart solutions in the years to come to secure your brand’s position in an overly competitive market. 

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About the writer

Nikola Sekulic is a skilled digital marketing writer with articles on Lform, User, Columbus Global, Recruitee and Startups Magazine, among other websites.