The rise in AI adoption, coupled with 92% of global and 87% of Asia-Pacific respondents prioritizing digital transformation, demonstrates manufacturers’ desire to improve data management and implement new technologies to enhance visibility and quality throughout the manufacturing process. However, while digital transformation is a priority for manufacturers, 30% to 40% of global and Asia-Pacific respondents acknowledge that the process faces many challenges, including cost and labor resources, scaling technology solutions, and the convergence of information technology and operational technology (IT/OT).

“Manufacturers often struggle to use data effectively, so they need to adopt AI and other digital technology solutions to create a flexible, optimized production environment. And Zebra helps Vietnamese manufacturers apply technology in new ways to automate and enhance workflows, building connected factories where technology supports humans at scale,” said Christanto Suryadarma, vice president of sales for Southeast Asia (SEA), Korea and Asia Pacific, Japan (APJeC) at Zebra Technologies.

Zebra’s research also found that manufacturers are shifting their growth strategies by integrating and empowering their workforce with AI and other technologies to transform manufacturing operations and build a skilled workforce over the next five years. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of global manufacturing business leaders plan to reskill their workforce to increase their skills in data and technology, with 7 in 10 expecting to upskill their workforce with mobility-enabled technology. These sentiments are shared by 76% and 75% of manufacturing business leaders in the Asia-Pacific region, respectively.

“Innovative technology solutions, such as vision surveillance and deep learning OCR solutions, are providing manufacturing businesses with the opportunity to excel in an era of rapid technological advancement, with ever-increasing demands for speed, safety and accuracy,” said Tan Aik Jin, Head of Manufacturing Solutions, Asia Pacific and Head of Zebra Experience Center Singapore, Zebra Technologies. “More than just adopting technology, businesses need to be ready and equipped to continuously enhance their existing capabilities. The future of manufacturing requires a symbiotic relationship between technology and human expertise to redefine the nature of the industry.”