Microsoft industrial and manufacturing solutions: PwC

The manufacturing industry is at the center of our daily lives and powers our biggest ideas, touching a wide range of things from the products we buy to the infrastructure that surrounds us. But a host of changes are pushing the industry to innovate at a pace that often challenges its current capabilities. Manufacturers are seeking ways to become safer, more connected, responsive and secure — and with the help of PwC and Microsoft, they can transform their businesses and scale solutions at the speed of a rapidly changing world.

Today’s industrial landscape

The last few years have prompted manufacturing companies to adapt to several significant shifts in the way they do business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a surge in demand tested supply chains around the world, and manufacturing businesses have since recognized the need for connected, resilient supply chains that can withstand major disruptions. Increased M&A activity and new regulations mean changes to daily operations, compliance and reporting. Longtime employees are moving out of the workforce, and to attract the next generation of workers and enable transitions, manufacturers need to be able to transfer knowledge, modernize and stay industry leading.

PwC is using Microsoft technology such as Copilot for Microsoft 365 to help guide the industry through current challenges while looking ahead to the future. To keep pace with these developments, the manufacturing industry is incorporating new technology in its business models. Moving data to the cloud, increasing the value of artificial intelligence and protecting information from cyber threats are more than trends—for today’s manufacturers, they’re necessities. As manufacturing companies adapt, they’re looking for holistic approaches to business reinvention and user-friendly digital solutions.

Institutionalize the potential of intelligent technology

The industrial products sector is on the verge of transformation, and Copilot for Microsoft 365 and other AI-powered solutions have the power to help the industry innovate. With Copilot for Microsoft 365, businesses can search and analyze their data, simplify operations, automate formerly time-consuming processes and empower employees. But many leaders are at the early stages of AI adoption, still exploring the technology or determining a plan for how to use it. To get the more from Copilot for Microsoft 365 and other intelligent technology, businesses should understand the more efficient ways to use these solutions so they can enhance decision making, data strategy and workforce planning.

PwC is ready to help your manufacturing business develop a playbook for implementing Copilot for Microsoft 365 and other AI-powered technology. Our 360-degree strategies account for budget and technology, and help give you an efficient, cost-effective approach to modernization and automation. We can show you what this technology can do in a controlled setting and put the desired security and responsible AI guidelines in place before rolling out Microsoft AI solutions company-wide. For manufacturers looking to attract new talent, we can help you adopt the industry-leading technology that could help you stand out in the competitive job marketplace.

PwC combines technology with strategy

PwC brings a unique perspective to Microsoft technology for manufacturing: we have deep knowledge of the complexities of the industry, the key considerations for business transformation and Microsoft technology itself. And we know manufacturing and the industry’s customers: your customers are our customers too.

Starting with a deep dive into data, we help empower you to adapt and transform your operations at scale.

Discover how PwC can help your manufacturing company thrive with a plan tailored to your company’s unique needs. Our technology, operations and business transformation teams work together to show you how you can unlock the many benefits of Microsoft technology and capture greater value from your tech investment.

From CFO to CIO and countless areas in between, PwC knows how to help you have the conversations that enable organization-wide change. With our experience advising clients on interconnected business processes, we can work with you to develop the framework and messaging for implementing Microsoft technology across multiple areas of your business.

Microsoft is the collaboration and communication choice of today’s businesses — and PwC is one of Microsoft’s biggest customers and one of the industry leaders in Copilot adoption. We understand Microsoft technology and we can make informed recommendations because we use it ourselves, every day. We speak to Microsoft directly, allowing us to advocate on behalf of the manufacturing organizations we advise.

Technology for the future of industrial products

Case study: Reimagining operations

A heavy machinery and power systems company needed to keep up with an increase in demand while maintaining a high standard of service. With PwC’s guidance, this manufacturing business was able to use Microsoft Power Platform and a generative AI-based chatbot to give its technicians real-time support on the factory floor. Find out how we helped this organization more than double its production throughput.