Mill
Producer
Processor
Scrap recycler
Service center
Manufacturer
Automotive tier 1 & 2 supplier
Other
Each year, Crowe conducts an annual Digital Transformation in the Metals Industry survey with Fastmarkets AMM to reveal the most significant technology trends for service centers, mills, manufacturers, scrap recyclers, and other companies in the metals value chain. To do that, we poll a variety of professionals in the metals space, ranging from CEOs to procurement managers.
Explore the topics below to learn more about current and future disruptive developments for the metals space – as reported by your peers in the 2019 Digital Transformation in the Metals Industry survey, conducted by Crowe and Fastmarkets AMM.
Important insights for your business
Technology investment
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Machine learning, IoT, AI
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
ERP software
Analytics and business intelligence
Analytics and business intelligence
Analytics and business intelligence
Data privacy and cybersecurity
Data privacy and cybersecurity
Data privacy and cybersecurity
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Solutions
Business and IT leaders in metals companies must work together closely in service of internal and external objectives, prioritizing technology investments to achieve the greatest possible impact. This will help those organizations increase efficiency and stay competitive.
IT projects in progress or planning stages
Put customer relationship management system into effect
Implement business intelligence and big data initiatives
Move applications from on-premises to cloud-based versions
Learn more
Crowe Metals Accelerator for Microsoft Dynamics 365
Crowe Operational Analytics for metals
Whether your company has already invested in new technology solutions or is uncertain about which ones to use, Crowe can help. We offer a strategic road map, experienced industry specialists, and technology solutions tailored to the metals space.
Solutions
Insights
Survey highlights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Insights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Solutions
Survey highlights
Insights
Technology investment
Survey highlights
Survey highlights
Insights
Insights
Solutions
Metals companies are adopting advanced technologies at an increasingly rapid rate for three reasons:
Half of survey participants say the biggest challenge in planning advanced technology initiatives is identifying the specific value for the business.
Top advanced technology investments planned over the next 3-5 years:
Internet of things (IoT)
35%
33%
28%
Machine learning
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Learn more
Technology insights
for your business
Thoughtful investments in advanced technologies can be a way to differentiate your business from the competition. Crowe offers a variety of solutions enhanced by machine learning and AI, and we can offer guidance on the best approaches for your organization.
The era of ERP applications as purely transactional systems of record has passed, even if the majority of ERP providers haven’t caught up. As metals companies look to change or upgrade their current applications, they should consider advanced capabilities, predictive insights, and connected operations as part of the new standard.
Learn more
If you aren’t transforming the operations of your metals business, you could become obsolete. The Crowe Metals Accelerator for Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform can help you drive innovation and improve decision-making in your metals organization by boosting the capabilities of your ERP system.
Crowe Metals Accelerator
Analytics and business intelligence is about much more than dashboards.
Your organization must be able to use data to make better decisions, gain a clear understanding of your customers’ needs, and anticipate problems before they occur.
Though business intelligence (BI) is a top priority for decision-makers in metals companies, fewer than 5% rated their BI maturity as being in the “foresight” stage, meaning they’re able to use data to predict opportunities and challenges down the road.
According to respondents, the biggest BI challenge for metals organizations is standardizing data from multiple, disparate systems.
Learn more
You have two valuable assets that no one else has: your people and your data. Bringing these together can drive significant business growth.
It’s no longer enough to have a “set it and forget it” security strategy for networks and data. The threat environment is constantly evolving, and cyber defenses have to keep up to avoid costly data breaches. This includes developing a robust approach to managed detection and response, which can help protect an organization from clear and present dangers.
Managed detection and response
Learn more
When it comes to protecting your organization’s data, this isn’t a fight you have to face alone. Crowe managed detection and response services include round-the-clock monitoring and detection from advanced cybersecurity systems and live analysts.
Top 3
More than 63% of survey respondents say technology is very important to their strategy over next 3 to 5 years, and add that they have specific IT investments tied to business results.
More than half of respondents say they’re in the process of or planning to upgrade their existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution or implement a new one.
The most common challenges with ERP platforms today include:
46%
Data privacy and cybersecurity are predicted to be the most significant IT-related business risk that metals companies will face during the next three years, with 46% of survey participants citing it as the top threat.
said data privacy and cybersecurity would be the biggest IT-related business risk over the next three years
Where respondents work
About the survey
Machine learning, IoT, AI
ERP software
Analytics and business intelligence
Data privacy and cybersecurity
Technology investment
Data privacy and cybersecurity
Analytics and
business intelligence
ERP
software
Machine learning,
IoT, AI
Technology
investment
Material optimization
59%
Meeting/predicting delivery dates
56%
Integration to other line-of-business applications
54%
Business intelligence and reporting
75%
More affordable third-party solutions
Pressures from customers and competition
A younger workforce
Simply using advanced technology is no longer a differentiator for a metals company. Technology must be implemented with specific, strategic goals in mind to support the customer, empower employees, and make products better.
Crowe Operational Analytics for metals leverages both of these elements within a unique analytics solution.
Crowe Metals Accelerator for Microsoft Dynamics 365 embeds powerful business intelligence directly in your ERP system.
Technology investment
Technology investment
Machine learning, IoT, AI
Machine learning, IoT, AI
Machine learning, IoT, AI
ERP software
ERP software
Analytics and business intelligence
Analytics and business intelligence
Data privacy and cybersecurity
It’s no longer enough to have a “set it and forget it” security strategy for networks and data. The threat environment is constantly evolving, and cyber defenses have to keep up to avoid costly data breaches. This includes developing a robust approach to managed detection and response, which can help protect an organization from clear and present dangers.
Data privacy and cybersecurity
Survey highlights
Survey highlights
Insights
Solutions
Solutions
Data privacy and cybersecurity
Technology investment
Machine learning, IoT, AI
Machine learning, IoT, AI
ERP software
ERP software
Learn more
Crowe Operational Analytics for metals
Crowe Metals Accelerator
for Microsoft Dynamics 365
IT advisory road map
Technology insights
for your business
GRC technologies
IT advisory road map
TM
TM
TM
TM
TM
View full results