Want to make the most of the trends on the horizon? It isn’t just about adding more tools or the latest must-have tech. It’s about how to optimize the way you connect with your customers. Integrate it. And get more value from it.
The 8 Biggest Tech Trends & Truths
While change will always be a constant in technology, these trends are here to stay for manufacturers:
1. Continued Shift to Digital Marketing
Omnichannel marketing is the new reality. It’s also your biggest source of engagement data. And with more channels than ever, it’s even more critical to follow customers throughout the journey, while tracking and integrating data into your CRM.
2. Modern Web Standards
Personalized. Responsive. Localized. Those aren’t just modern best practices for the web. They’re the best way to maximize conversions, too.
But most manufacturers are still behind the curve, from mobile-first design to progressive profiling. And the speed of business is only going to move faster.
3. Cloud Computing & Component-Based Architecture
Scalability. High availability. Seamless upgrades. Ease of integration. Cloud computing has gone mainstream. And it offers a long list of advantages beyond centralization. But for marketers, it means they can focus more on driving business growth – and less on the technical complexities behind it.
The recent shift to component-based architecture also makes it possible to leverage encapsulated components of functionality. The results? Reduced development and custom code. Less maintenance. Faster load times. And, ultimately, improved user experiences.
4. Secure Mobile Apps, Wearables & Communities
When it comes to your partners and customers, you know it’s important to put a personalized experience right in the palm of their hands. So make it easy for them to put their trust in yours.
Mobile apps. Wearables. Communities and portals. They are all ways to directly engage your customers and partners on a one-to-one level. But security is paramount. Not only is it important to safely store customer information, it’s key to build trust through customized content and high-value features, like social elements, curated news and information, service and integration with other devices.
5. Better Integration & Data Quality
That requires better data quality and better integration. Systems need to talk to each other in real time and be compliant with modern web standard-based integration methods. In short, delays won’t be tolerated by users. And data quality will play an increasingly larger role in customer experience strategy.
6. CRM + Marketing Automation
Not only do your marketing and sales teams need to come together, your systems and tools do, too.
The reasons are simple: tighter integration between CRM and marketing automation will drive better experiences. Better information. Better engagement.
7. CPQ, Order Management & E-Commerce
When it comes to the manufacturing industry, ordering and e-commerce are complex. Order fulfillment has to factor in inventory levels at different distribution points. Dealerships. Delivery radiuses. Customer service ratings. The list goes on.
In other words, ordering systems need to handle a lot of heavy lifting and a lot of different variables. But the companies who make it seamless for customers to purchase online will create higher satisfaction and higher sales.
8. Big Data, Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence
The good news: machine learning, artificial intelligence and better reporting tools are making it easier for marketers to recognize trends and meaningful insights. And while these methods won’t replace the human touch, they will help minimize human bias – and see patterns with more speed and consistency.
There’s more data than ever before. The challenge is analyzing it.
Learn More: Recommended Resources
Want to take a deeper dive? Ask our experts, and check out some of the free resources right here on our website.
