Using Copilot in Manufacturing

The manufacturing industry requires a steady flow of raw materials while managing costs and minimizing production disruptions. Manufacturers look for opportunities to drive innovation and operational excellence while balancing operational costs amid rising prices and finding ways to improve efficiency, supply chain management, and streamline the design-to-make process.

Learn how Bayer is improving research and product development here.

Learn how Sandvik Coromant is improving Sales processes here.

Learn how Eastman is improving IT security here.

Read how Dow is transforming freight invoicing here.

Download the Manufacturing scenarios kit
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Microsoft Copilot opportunity to impact key functional area KPIs

Review our KPI overviews and view additional scenario details.

Product time to market

Use Copilot capture customer needs and then support coordination of product development activities.

Employee turnover

Retain critical plant and headquarters staff by improving the work/life balance of all workers by simplifying overhead tasks. Improve skilling to provide more growth opportunities and increase internal hiring.​

Customer satisfaction

Improve customer service performance with tailored LLMs for higher first-time call resolution. Improve customer communications whether through improved writing or improved call scripts.​

Scrap rate

Quickly identify quality issues by accessing and analyzing quality logs. Reduce the cost of any recall programs that are required with effective management and tailored responses.​

Supply chain performance

Use AI to generate evaluation criteria for new materials and suppliers. Review contracts to make the most effective deals and use AI analysis to evaluate supplier performance.

Minimize production downtime

Use Copilot to analyze information from manufacturers apps to predict and prevent equipment failures, manage inventory levels and identify training that can help staff keep machines operating. 

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Transform Manufacturing processes

Key processes Before AI Using AI
Accelerate product development and engineering through generative AIProduct teams spend substantial time refining and optimizing product designs to meet performance, cost, and production requirements. With AI, they can enhance innovation, research, and design with AI support across the entire innovation lifecycle. This support includes using AI to provide ideas, feedback, and intelligently mine customer behavior and interactions for new products. Once products are released companies are increasingly turning to AI for assistance with product support including AI product assistants.
Product predictive capabilities

AI can help manufacturers respond to customer requests for new products and even predict future customer needs for products that do not exist today.

Customer-led product design agent

AI can help customers translate their requirements into product designs and prototypes in minutes.

Product modeling agent

With AI engineers they get assistance with research, ideation, and collaboration to quickly generate innovative solutions.

Generate new product ideas

With AI product teams can get assistance with research, ideation, and collaboration to quickly generate innovative solutions.

New product ideation and research

Improve product development from ideation to launch.

Optimize supply chain and logistics managementAI can significantly enhance supply chain management for manufacturers by improving visibility and efficiency. It enables real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, allowing manufacturers to anticipate and mitigate potential disruptions. AI also optimizes inventory management and demand forecasting, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively. Additionally, AI-powered automation can streamline processes, reducing operational costs and increasing overall productivity.
Identify new suppliers

Procurement teams can use Copilot Chat to assist with research and collaboration to find new suppliers.

Reduce freight leakage

Automate freight invoice processing and error checking to reduce shipping costs.

Production planning

Set production schedules based on sales and inventory

Supplier quality optimization

From assessment to transition plans Copilot can help with supplier management

Supplier RFP

Improve the RFP process from creating the RFP to awarding the contract

Contract lifecycle management

Using Copilot for contract lifecycle management

Transform factory operations with real-time data access and AI agentsManufacturers dedicate substantial time to optimizing their processes to ensure efficiency and streamline operations. AI-enabled employees can leverage real-time access to information to help ensure uptime and prevent defects that slow production. Use AI to automate communications and scheduling through data analysis. AI can assist factory and field workers with information and reporting to speed tasks and keep the focus on production. AI can be used to shorten manufacturing cycles, while ensuring higher-quality outputs and faster, more efficient delivery. AI integration helps manufacturers build more agile and responsive operations, driving innovation and competitiveness.
A day in the life of a Factory worker

Perform factory maintenance (simple version)

Deliver critical information and expert assistance to workers during maintenance activities to reduce downtime.

Factory operations agent

Use an agent to help improve factory operations and OEE

Improve factory safety

Use the Factory Safety Agent to help avoid incidents

Assist field service advisors

Help field engineers solve customer issues

Perform factory maintenance

Support maintenance activities to reduce downtime.

Recall management

Streamline the process from early detection to effective communications

Optimizing asset management

Analyze equipment data and maintenance schedules

Simplify tasks for plant employees

Plant workers can complete a variety of tasks more easily with Copilot

Manufacturing roles

DITL: Factory worker