Abstract
Overview
Introduction
This brief examines the most important issues facing manufacturing
organizations in 2008 and identifies key trends in manufacturing technology
investment.
Scope
- An overview of challenges facing manufacturing organizations in 2008.
- Datamonitor' s view of the technology priorities of providers and payers.
- Strategies to help vendors in the manufacturing technology market.
Report Highlights
2008 has opened with a slightly grim outlook following the recent events in
the US sub-prime mortgage market and their follow-on effects on the rest of
the global economy. Suddenly, what had been an era of ' cheap money' has come
to a very quick close with ramifications being felt around the world.
Reasons to Purchase
- Learn about the top trends in manufacturing in 2008.
- Gain insight into the technology areas manufacturing organizations are
investing in.
- Identify strategies for expanding business opportunities in manufacturing.
Table of Contents
- DATAMONITOR VIEW
- ANALYSIS
- China is growing increasingly complex after key indicators ring alarm
bells
- Inflation is starting to rise in the Chinese economy
- Production output is expected to continue to grow throughout 2008
despite international pressures
- Technology maturity is at opposite ends of the spectrum within the
manufacturing industry
- Shipping capacity is having a constrictive effect on the growth of
China' s globalization capabilities
- Green initiatives will slowly start to gather pace
- Green operations will primarily spawn from cost savings or regulatory
enforcement
- Green IT is still only emerging within the manufacturing industry
- Rising energy costs will compound pressures for manufacturers in 2008
- The increasing price of oil and coal will affect both manufacturing
companies and their customers
- Market volatility will drive investment in key forecasting technologies
- Vendors will need to be prepared to shift go-to-market strategies
quickly and effectively
- Warranties will take prime position in the strategies of successful
manufacturers
- Warranty management is in part being driven by green requirements
- A high priority for customer satisfaction will generate increased
investment in aftermarket capabilities
- There is significant opportunity for manufacturing companies to
generate aftermarket revenues
- Warranty management creates opportunities for vendors of multiple
disciplines
- ACTIONS
- Impact on manufacturing companies
- Recommendations for those selling technology into the manufacturing
sector
- APPENDIX
- Definitions
- Methodology
- Further reading
- Ask the analyst
- Datamonitor consulting
- Disclaimer
- List of Figures
- Figure 1: China' s level of inflation has risen steeply in the last
twelve months
- Figure 2: China' s production output is still experiencing good growth
- Figure 3: Global coal prices have risen steeply in the last twelve
months
- Figure 4: Oil prices are continuing to rise at a global level
- Figure 5: Customer satisfaction remains the number one priority for
manufacturing companies
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