Manufacturing is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the convergence of smart digital technologies, connected operations, and customer-centric strategies. Perficient is uniquely positioned to guide this evolution, applying deep industry knowledge and a suite of next-gen solutions, from IoT‑powered manufacturing ecosystems to AI‑driven supply chain and aftermarket optimization. 

An independent industry analysis recently recognized Perficient as a leader in delivering IT consulting and technology services for manufacturers, affirming our ability to deliver substantial, measurable results. This honor validates what we’ve long known: Perficient delivers high-value outcomes by blending deep manufacturing domain expertise with cutting-edge technology. 

“We empower manufacturers to embrace the speed at which digital innovation is happening, accelerating their efforts, streamlining processes, enhancing experiences, and sustaining a competitive advantage via AI.” – Kevin Espinosa, Director of Manufacturing & Strategy, Perficient 

Elevating Factory Operations Through Smart Innovation 

Perficient empowers manufacturers to overcome fragmented IT and OT environments, data silos, and legacy infrastructure limitations. By deploying digital twins, AI enhanced predictive maintenance, and real-time asset monitoring, we enable clients to make smarter, faster decisions on the plant floor. For example, we’ve enabled access to equipment telemetry data and streamlined data ingestion into a top 10 automaker’s future-proof and AI/ML-ready infrastructure to perform analytics and proactively identify issues. Further, we designed a container-based cloud-agnostic solution to support the real-time collection and processing of telemetry data from millions of connected vehicles and enabled scaling on demand while containing costs. 

Reimagining Aftermarket and Field Service 

Competitive advantage in manufacturing often hinges on post-sale service. At a Fortune 500 manufacturing conglomerate, Perficient reengineered customer service using AI and machine learning alongside Amazon Web Services. The initiative automated email responses, introduced intelligent chatbots, and gave agent productivity a significant boost. These enhancements slashed service costs by $25 million annually and unlocked an additional $61 million projected in revenue, transforming service into a strategic business driver. In addition, we’ve streamlined dealer service reporting with Microsoft AI and automation at a global industrial machinery manufacturer by enabling technicians to generate service reports from shorthand notes, saving them 1.5 hours on average per service report and reducing warranty claim denials. 

Building Extended Ecosystems, Forging Supply Chain Resilience 

Perficient helps manufacturers smooth out extended enterprise complexities, aligning systems like PLM, PIM, OMS, and ERP to create consistent product content, inventory accuracy, and seamless buyer journeys. As featured in a recent industry report, our consultants shed light on real-time content sync and eliminating abandoned carts and improving conversions, an essential move amid growing digital sophistication in B2B and B2C channels. In addition, Perficient recently transformed Roeslein’s supply chain with Oracle Cloud to unite all locations and provide a flexible, scalable foundation for growth. 

Industry Recognition That Matters 

Our manufacturing leadership extends beyond project results. This past year, Perficient has been awarded and recognized by several publications, firms, and organizations for expertise and contributions in the industry, namely:  

• Won Platinum dotCOMM award for proprietary voice of the customer (VOC) research on connected products 

• Recognized as a 2025 CRN IoT Innovator for our role in building connected, autonomous, and sensor-driven solutions across industrial environments

• Named a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide IT and Engineering Services for SoftwareDefined Vehicles 2025 

• Awarded Coveo Relevance Award for AI-Powered Search work for ADI Global: Snap-One 

Orchestrating the Future of Manufacturing 

Innovation in manufacturing is no longer optional. It’s essential. Perficient’s expertise spans cloud-to-edge infrastructure, integrated digital twins, real-time analytics, and AI-first strategies. Whether driving smart factory initiatives, optimizing aftermarket service, modernizing IT and OT systems, or improving the operation of and experience with connected products and equipment, we empower manufacturers to achieve operational agility, customer-centric experiences, and sustainable growth. 

Explore how we can help your organization lead in connectivity, resilience, and innovation. 

Discover Perficient’s approach to manufacturing transformation. 

Perficient is recognized in Forrester’s Salesforce Consulting Services Landscape, Q4 2025, which notes our North America geographic focus and industry focus in Financial Services, Healthcare, and Manufacturing. Forrester asked each provider included in the Landscape to select the top business scenarios for which clients select them and from there determined which are the extended business scenarios that highlight differentiation among the providers. Perficient is shown in the report for having selected Agentforce, Data 360 (Data Cloud), and Industry Clouds as top reasons clients work with us out of those extended business scenarios. Our proven capabilities across Agentforce, Data 360 (Data Cloud), and Industry Clouds help clients achieve measurable outcomes from their Salesforce investments.

We believe this recognition underscores what leading analysts and buyers already know: the next phase of Salesforce is not about bigger projects—it’s about faster proof of value. The partners that win are the ones who shorten time to outcomes, orchestrate across your stack, and help you spend smarter.

How Perficient Turns Insight into Action: Our Outcomes Playbook

Outcome‑first framing becomes practical when the first milestone is small and meaningful. For revenue teams, that might be a lift in qualified pipeline from cleaner data and guided selling. For service teams, it could be faster resolution through better case routing and knowledge. For operations, it may be a reliable view of performance from harmonized data. Each path is sized to prove value quickly, then expanded as results compound.

“Clients want partners who bring clarity to complexity. We focus on strengthening foundations and preparing people for AI so teams can achieve outcomes that last.”
— Megan Glasow, Vice President, Sales & Services-Salesforce

The Uncomfortable Truth

Most teams already “have Salesforce,” yet value stalls in the maze of customizations, parallel orgs, and integrations that never quite talk to each other. The market itself has moved from first deployments to modernization and multi-cloud expansion, which is why traditional, effort‑heavy engagements are delivering diminishing returns. Buyers are asking for partners who can deliver outcomes in increments, with industry IP and operating‑model rigor, not just more bodies.

What Changed, Practically Speaking

Two forces converged. First, core implementation work is easier to standardize, which drives commoditization. Second, AI is now embedded across the platform, including agentic capabilities that can act on your data and processes. That combination rewards teams that fix foundations, make workflows interoperable, and apply AI with governance and observability. When those pieces are in place, outcomes compound quickly.

Three Moves to Make this Quarter

1) Pick one outcome, not five

Choose a business metric that executives care about and design a sprint around it. Example outcomes: faster case resolution in Service, higher conversion in Sales, or lower cost to serve in Commerce. Anchor on a single use case, then use accelerators and standard patterns to get live in weeks. This approach mirrors how leading buyers evaluate providers today, with incremental value and industry use cases as selection criteria.

Quick start checklist:

• One KPI that is visible to the business
• A standard pattern or accelerator to reduce custom build time
• A simple adoption plan with role clarity and feedback loops

2) Orchestrate, do not bolt on

Real value shows up when workflows span systems. Map an end‑to‑end process across Salesforce and your adjacent platforms, then eliminate the handoffs that slow customers down. Expect your partner to bring reference architectures and integration patterns that make the process portable and resilient. Forrester’s guidance is explicit on this point: buyers want orchestrated workflows across tech stacks for true transformation.

3) Make ROI Repeatable

Set a cadence for license alignment, customization reduction, and tech debt cleanup. Consolidate orgs where the business case is clear. Replace custom objects with native capabilities when possible. Tie every change to operating cost, agility, or customer outcomes.

How to Choose a Partner without a 50‑page RFP

Ask three questions that cut through the noise:

• Can you show the intersection of your skills for my use case?
• What will you deliver first, and how will we measure it?
• What guardrails will be in place on day one?

Perficient’s POV: The Bottom Line

We show the intersection of our skills for your exact use case, deliver a working release tied to a single KPI in the initial increment, and put governance and auditability in place from day one. The result is measurable value, clarity on what to scale next, and confidence that outcomes will keep improving with each iteration.

If your 2026 goals include faster time to value, better orchestration, and disciplined ROI, book a modernization strategy session with our team. We will assess your current org, identify quick wins, and design an incremental plan aligned to your outcomes. Then move from strategy to proof in Outcome Over Effort, Part 2: Build, Govern, Measure, where we walk through a simple operating model to get one agent live, protect accuracy and access, and show measurable lift you can expand.

Next month’s webinar features insights from guest speakers, Forrester’s Kate Leggett and Salesforce’s Kaylin Voss, on outcomes, orchestration, and responsible AI. Bookmark this page and check back next month for details.

Forrester does not endorse any company, product, brand, or service included in its research publications and does not advise any person to select the products or services of any company or brand based on the ratings included in such publications. Information is based on the best available resources. Opinions reflect judgment at the time and are subject to change. For more information, read about Forrester’s objectivity  here .

We’re excited to announce that Perficient has been included in the “DEOT Services Provider with Other IT Services” category in the IDC Market Glance: Digital Engineering and Operational Technology Services, 4Q25 report (Doc# US53142225, December 2025). This segment includes service providers whose offerings and value proposition are focused primarily on Digital Engineering and OT services.

We believe our inclusion in this Market Glance reflects our deep commitment to helping organizations navigate the complex intersection of digital innovation and operational technology with confidence, agility, and cutting-edge engineering capabilities.

According to IDC, Digital Engineering and Operational Technology Services encompass three critical areas: product engineering services that support an enterprise’s existing software, hardware, and semiconductor product lifecycle from concept to end of life; operational technology services including plant engineering, manufacturing engineering services, asset modernization, and IIoT services; and digital engineering innovation accelerator services that leverage next-generation technologies like IoT, AI/ML, Generative AI, AR/VR, Digital Twins, Robotics, and more to transform product engineering and operational technology capabilities.

To us, this inclusion validates Perficient’s comprehensive approach to digital engineering and our ability to integrate emerging technologies with operational excellence to drive measurable business outcomes for our clients.

“Being included in the IDC Market Glance for Digital Engineering and Operational Technology Services is a testament to our team’s expertise in bridging the gap between digital innovation and operational reality,” said Justin Huckins, Perficient Director, AI Digital and Martech Strategy. “We’re proud to help organizations modernize their product engineering capabilities, optimize their operational technology infrastructure, and leverage AI and other advanced technologies to accelerate innovation and drive competitive advantage.”

Solutions Informed by Industry Expertise

We have found that one of the keys to real impact is to deeply understand the challenges and complexities of the industry for which digital engineering and operational technology solutions are created. This approach is especially important for complex manufacturing environments, energy infrastructure, and automotive innovation where off-the-shelf solutions fall short.

We believe our automotive expertise has been further validated by our inclusion as a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide IT and Engineering Services for Software-Defined Vehicles 2025 Vendor Assessment (Doc # US51813124, September 2025). We believe this recognition underscores our leadership in strategic vision for the automotive industry and our AI-first approach across the SDV lifecycle, promoting innovation in areas such as digital twins, augmented and virtual reality, smart personalization throughout the buyer and ownership experience, and the monetization of connected vehicle data.

Ingesting, Reporting, and Monetizing Telemetry Data

We helped a top Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer build a comprehensive cloud data platform to securely store, orchestrate, and analyze proprietary electric vehicle battery data for strategic decision-making and monetization. By designing and implementing a Microsoft Azure architecture using Terraform, we delivered robust data pipelines that clean, enrich, and ingest complex telematics datasets. Our solution integrated Databricks for advanced analytics and Power BI for visualization, creating a centralized, secure, and scalable platform that leverages data governance and strategy to maximize the monetization of EV batteries.

Explore our strategic position on battery passports and Cloud capabilities.

Transforming EV Adoption Through Subscription Model Innovation

We partnered with a major automotive manufacturer to enhance their EV subscription plan and mobile app, addressing customer concerns about charging accessibility and infrastructure fragmentation. Our application modernization and Adobe teams created seamless customer journeys that enabled subscribers to order complimentary supercharger adapters and integrated the mobile app with shipping and billing systems to track adapter delivery and process charging transactions. This innovative approach resulted in over 105,000 adapter orders and 55,000 new subscribers in the first month of launch, generating significant media attention as the industry’s first offering of this type.

Read more about our automotive industry solutions or discover our application modernization services.

Building Advanced Metering Infrastructure for Operational Excellence

We developed an advanced metering infrastructure solution for a leading nationwide diversified energy provider to provide real-time outage information from meters, routers, transformers, and substations. Using Databricks on Azure integrated with ArcGIS and Azure API Management, we built a comprehensive data foundation to ingest IoT data from all network components while overlaying hyperspectral imagery to visualize vegetation, poles, and terrain. This AMI implementation created a single source of truth for operational teams, reduced operational costs, and enabled accurate, timely information delivery to customers, fundamentally improving maintenance, engineering, and customer service workflows.

Read more about our energy and utilities expertise or explore our IoT and operational technology capabilities.

Let’s Engineer the Future Together

As organizations continue to digitally transform their engineering and operational capabilities, Perficient remains a trusted partner for companies seeking to lead in the era of smart products, connected operations, and AI-driven innovation.

Learn more about how Perficient is shaping the future of digital engineering and operational technology.

About IDC Market Glance:

This IDC study is a vendor assessment of the 2025 IT and engineering services market for software-defined vehicles (SDVs) using the IDC MarketScape model. This assessment discusses both the quantitative and qualitative characteristics for success in the software-defined vehicle life-cycle services market and covers a variety of vendors operating in this market. The evaluation is based on a comprehensive and rigorous framework that compares vendors, assesses them based on certain criteria, and highlights the factors expected to be most important for market success in the short and long terms.

Perficient is proud to be named a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Experience Build Services 2025 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US52973125, October 2025) and IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Experience Design Services 2025 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US52973225, October 2025). These IDC MarketScapes assessed providers, offering a comprehensive framework including product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current/future market success factors.

“We believe being recognized by IDC for Experience Design and Experience Build reinforces the impact we have on behalf of clients creating personalized, seamless interactions that accelerate growth. In today’s experience-driven economy, that’s the competitive advantage that matters,” says Erin Rushman, general manager of digital marketing and experience design operations at Perficient.

What This Inclusion Means for Perficient

Being named a Major Player, we believe, underscores our dedication to transforming customer experiences and empowering businesses through personalized, seamless, and impactful interactions. Perficient combines strategy and research with human-centered design to help organizations craft agile, customer-focused solutions that thrive in dynamic markets. By leveraging data-driven insights, personalization, AI, and more, we deliver end-to-end experiences that deepen engagement and drive measurable business impact.

According to the IDC MarketScape for Experience Design Services, “Perficient has strong capabilities in digital offering design and offers leading-edge experience design services backed by a global innovation network.” The report also notes, “In conversations with Perficient’s reference clients, the three areas where experience design services buyers commended the vendor highly were for the quality of its professionals, for its industry specific capabilities, and differentiation as a vendor.”

The IDC MarketScape for Experience Build Services states, “As an independent digital experience agency, Perficient combines business and technology transformation capabilities, including a robust collection of supporting assets and tools, with a focus on the design and build of customer experiences. Perficient has strong personalization capabilities.”

Additionally, Perficient was named a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape for Customer Experience Strategy Consulting Services 2025 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US52973025, September 2025). We believe this inclusion reflects our commitment to delivering AI-first solutions that transform customer experiences through scalable, high-impact innovations. It establishes Perficient as a trusted partner, driving unmatched success in the experience-driven market of tomorrow.

Read the News Release: Perficient Named a Major Player in Three IDC MarketScapes For AI-First Approach to Customer Experience

What This Inclusion Means for Our Clients

Perficient continues to be a leader in experience strategy and design, helping clients align vision, accelerate innovation, and achieve lasting transformation. We enable businesses to embed AI into processes and deliver personalized customer experiences at scale. By expanding and strengthening alliances with partners, we ensure our solutions remain innovative and leading-edge, empowering clients to stay ahead in a dynamic market.

Exceptional CX is essential for growth and loyalty. Our expertise across platforms and global delivery ensures brands can quickly adapt, innovate, and meet rising customer expectations. Explore our expertise to see how we can be a partner in your experience journey.

We’re proud to announce that Perficient has been named a 2025 CRN IoT Innovator, a prestigious recognition that celebrates solution providers leading the way in delivering impactful Internet of Things (IoT) solutions in the enterprise market across industries. This honor underscores our commitment to helping clients bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds through cutting-edge IoT strategies and technologies.

CRN’s annual IoT Innovators list highlights companies that are shaping the future of enterprise IoT, with solutions spanning connected field operations, AI-powered analytics, digital twins, and edge computing. In the article, the senior editor Dylan Martin remarked:

”Perficient is delivering transformative business outcomes for customers with its end-to-end IoT solutions. In the automotive industry, the St. Louis-based solution provider offers consulting services for the design and integration of advanced driver assist, autonomous, multi-cloud and software-defined vehicle capabilities.”

Perficient’s inclusion reflects our leadership in deploying transformative IoT solutions that drive measurable outcomes, especially in the automotive and manufacturing sectors where data and AI innovation is not just a goal, but a necessity.

Why Perficient Stands Out

In our recent study of nearly 700 consumers in the U.S., 61% of participants in the 29 – 44 year old age bracket responded that they’d want their vehicles to communicate and interact with their in-home devices. This overwhelmingly positive response to connected capabilities across the automotive and manufacturing market reveals a massive opportunity for enterprises to tap into new revenue streams and improved customer experiences.

Perficient is poised to support these enterprises as they continue to innovate in the IoT space. Our approach combines deep industry expertise, AI-first strategies, and robust engineering capabilities to help clients unlock new efficiencies, improve product quality, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Recently, Perficient launched:

• Proprietary research on the connected products market meant to inform strategy for organizations across industries delving into and innovating in the IoT space
• Several Strategic Positions on the latest industry innovations around connected products and vehicles, electrification, EV charging, and autonomous driving
• Solutions that utilize connected capabilities and telemetry data to improve customer experience and drive new revenue streams like Battery Passports

Further, Perficient was named a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide IT and Engineering Services for Software-Defined Vehicles 2025 Vendor Assessment (doc # US51813124, September 2025).

In automotive, we partner with 7 of the top 10 OEMs to modernize operations and accelerate innovation. Our IoT solutions support everything from connected vehicle platforms and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to dealer service integration and mobility-as-a-service models. We help OEMs, suppliers, and dealers create seamless, personalized experiences for vehicle owners and passengers, while optimizing design, manufacturing, and service operations.

In the broader manufacturing market, our IoT offerings empower clients to build smart factories and resilient supply chains. From digital twins and collaborative robotics to predictive maintenance and connected shop floor monitoring, we enable manufacturers to gain real-time visibility into assets, reduce downtime, and improve quality assurance. Our solutions are designed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by 5G, sustainability goals, and workforce transformation.

An AI-First Future-Ready Partner

We’re a global, AI-first, digital consultancy with thousands of skilled strategists and technologists in the U.S., Latin America, India, Europe, and around the world. We’re transforming how the world’s most admired brands connect with customers and grow their business. As an AWS Advanced Service Partner, member of Microsoft’s 2025-2026 AI Inner Circle, and collaborative partner to AI innovators from Writer and Databricks to Salesforce, Perficient is uniquely positioned to deliver scalable, secure, and intelligent IoT solutions. Our strategic partnerships and technical depth allow us to stay ahead of emerging trends and deliver value that lasts.

Whether you’re an automotive OEM looking to redefine mobility or a manufacturer seeking to build smarter machines, Perficient is your trusted partner for IoT transformation.

Learn more about our industry recognitions and explore our AI in automotive or manufacturing expertise.

Perficient is proud to be included in the IDC ServiceScape: Worldwide and U.S. Microsoft Power Apps Low-Code/No-Code Custom Application Development Services, 2025 (Doc# US53748825 September 2025) report. We believe this inclusion highlights our commitment to helping enterprises accelerate innovation and streamline development through Microsoft Power Platform.

This IDC ServiceScape offers a comprehensive guide on the key capabilities of custom application development service providers using the Microsoft Power Apps low-code/no-code development platform, featuring services from companies including Perficient. The status of each service capability is categorized as fully supported, partially supported, partner provided, road map, or not supported, aiding services buyers in quickly identifying which vendors align with their changing requirements.

Powering Innovation with Microsoft Power Platform

As digital transformation accelerates, low-code/no-code platforms are becoming essential tools for agility and innovation. Perficient is proud to be included in this evolving landscape and remains committed to delivering solutions that drive real business outcomes.

“Our approach to Power Platform is rooted in strategy, scale, and speed. We’re not just building apps—we’re enabling transformation. By combining governance frameworks, multi-shore delivery, and AI-powered experiences, we help clients unlock the full potential of low-code development and drive meaningful business outcomes.” – Eric Schmitt, Director of Microsoft Business Applications.

Perficient offers a comprehensive suite of low-code/no-code services designed to accelerate transformation:

• App modernization programs to migrate legacy systems to Power Platform
• Intelligent automation and rapid RPA migration (e.g., UiPath to Power Automate Desktop)
• Custom Copilot envisioning workshops and enterprise app development
• Governance engagements including CoE setup and citizen developer enablement
• Process mining and lifecycle management
• Multi-shore delivery models with agile development pods and managed services

We’re also increasing investment in Copilot Studio Agents, helping clients build custom functionality and deploy agents within Power Platform environments. Our governance frameworks ensure scalable, secure adoption—whether you’re enabling citizen developers or launching enterprise-wide automation programs.

Learn more about our Power Platform capabilities: Power Platform / Perficient

Perficient is a global digital consultancy with over 7,000 colleagues worldwide, operating as one unified team across North America, LATAM, and India. With deep expertise in industries like Healthcare & Life Sciences, Manufacturing, and Automotive, we deliver strategic technology solutions that drive measurable outcomes. Our Microsoft practice is backed by more than 25 years of experience and over 250 certified cloud consultants, with strong capabilities in Azure, M365, Dynamics CRM, and Power Platform.

Perficient differentiates through global delivery, scalability, and robust governance. With 95% of our business coming from repeat clients, we’re proud to be a trusted partner in building AI-first, low-code solutions that deliver real business value.

Ready to move from ambition to impact? Let’s define your low-code strategy and build the foundation to lead what’s next.

The future of service isn’t reactive; it’s intelligent, predictive, and AI-powered. At Dreamforce 2025, join Perficient and Salesforce for a roundtable built for manufacturing leaders looking to modernize their service strategy. If you’re responsible for uptime, field service, or asset performance, this session is for you. 

Take part in a focused, 40-person discussion where industry peers share how they use AI, IoT, and asset data to reshape aftermarket service. Learn how early adopters reduce operational risks and control rising service costs. 

Led by: 

• Lester McHargue – Director, Salesforce Manufacturing, Perficient 

• Nanda Chitrala – Sr. Director, Manufacturing Solutions & Strategy, Salesforce 

• Lance Fettig – Sr. Director, Business Consulting, Salesforce 

What You’ll Gain 

The manufacturers getting ahead are the ones transforming their service models now. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to: 

• Enable smarter scheduling with real-time asset visibility  

• Prevent asset failures using predictive insights  

• Ensure accurate billing with the right data and tools  

• Drive new revenue models through Servitization 

This session is a chance to see what’s working on the ground and ask the questions that matter to your business. 

Event Details 

Reserve your session spot with the Dreamforce Agenda Builder today: Transform Aftermarket with Asset Service Management 

Dates & Times:
Tuesday, Oct 14 |  2:30 PM – 3:30 PM PDT (4:30 PM – 5:30 PM CDT) | Moscone West, L2, Roundtable 12
Wednesday, Oct 15 | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM PDT (10:30 AM – 11:30 AM CDT) | Moscone West, L2, Roundtable 12

Let’s Rethink Aftermarket Service: Smarter, Faster, and Powered by AI 

Manufacturers are transforming service operations with AI, IoT, and asset intelligence. This roundtable offers a chance to learn what early adopters are doing to reduce costs, prevent downtime, and unlock new revenue. 

If you’re interested in meeting with our team during Dreamforce or would like to connect ahead of the event, visit our event page to schedule a 1:1 meeting with our AI strategy team or connect with executive leadership onsite. 

My 30-year technology career has taught me many things…and one big thing: the companies that treat technology as a cost center are the ones that get blindsided. In manufacturing, that blindside is already here — and it’s wearing the name tag “AI.”

For decades, manufacturers have been locked into rigid systems, long upgrade cycles, and siloed data. The result? Operations that run on yesterday’s insights while competitors are making tomorrow’s moves. Sound familiar? It’s the same trap traditional IT outsourcing fell into — and it’s just as deadly in the age of smart manufacturing.

The AI Advantage in Manufacturing

Oracle Fusion AI for Manufacturing Smart Operations isn’t just another software upgrade. It’s a shift from reactive to predictive, from siloed to synchronized. Think:

• Real-time anomaly detection that flags quality issues before they hit the line.
• Predictive maintenance that slashes downtime and extends asset life.
• Intelligent scheduling that adapts to supply chain disruptions in minutes, not weeks.
• Embedded analytics that turn every operator, planner, and manager into a decision-maker armed with live data.

This isn’t about replacing people — it’s about giving them superpowers. Read more from Oracle here.

Proof in Action: Roeslein & Associates

If you want to see what this looks like in the wild, look at Roeslein & Associates. They were running on disparate, outdated legacy systems — the kind that make global process consistency a pipe dream. Perficient stepped in and implemented Oracle Fusion Cloud Manufacturing with Project Driven Supply Chain, plus full Financial and Supply Chain Management suites. The result?

• A global solution template that can be rolled out anywhere in the business.
• A redesigned enterprise structure to track profits across business units.
• Standardized manufacturing processes that still flex for highly customized demand.
• Integrated aftermarket parts ordering and manufacturing flows.
• Seamless connections between Fusion, labor capture systems, and eCommerce.

That’s not just “going live” — that’s rewiring the operational nervous system for speed, visibility, and scale.

Why Standing Still is Riskier Than Moving Fast

In my words, “true innovation is darn near impossible” when you’re chained to legacy thinking. The same applies here: if your manufacturing ops are running on static ERP data and manual interventions, you’re already losing ground to AI‑driven competitors who can pivot in real time.

Oracle Fusion Cloud with embedded AI is the equalizer. A mid‑sized manufacturer with the right AI tools can outmaneuver industry giants still stuck in quarterly planning cycles.

Where Perficient Comes In

Perficient’s Oracle team doesn’t just implement software — they architect transformation. With deep expertise in Oracle Manufacturing Cloud, Supply Chain Management, and embedded Fusion AI solutions, they help you:

• Integrate AI into existing workflows without blowing up your operations.
• Optimize supply chain visibility from raw materials to customer delivery.
• Leverage IoT and machine learning for continuous process improvement.
• Scale securely in the cloud while keeping compliance and governance in check.

They’ve done it for global manufacturers, and they can do it for you — faster than you think.

The Call to Action

If you believe your manufacturing operations are immune to disruption, history says otherwise. The companies that win will be the ones that treat AI not as a pilot project, but as the new operating system for their business.

Rather than letting new entrants disrupt your position, take initiative and lead the charge—make them play catch-up.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the digital landscape, organizations are seeking clarity on how to strategically integrate AI into their digital experience platforms (DXPs). In its latest report, The Impact of AI on Digital Experience Platforms, Forrester explores how DXP vendors are embedding AI agents to streamline experience operations and expand toolsets — from copilots to code generators. Perficient was proud to contribute its DXP and AI expertise to this research, joining the group of vendors and service providers interviewed for the report. 

“Generative AI (GenAI) is reshaping digital experience platforms (DXPs) by automating content and campaign creation, powering intelligent copilots for marketers and developers, and boosting customer engagement through predictive insights and personalization.” —Forrester, The Impact of AI on Digital Experience Platforms

Why AI Belongs in the DXP Conversation

Today’s tech leaders face a growing challenge: delivering consistent, personalized experiences across a fragmented landscape of devices, channels, and customer expectations. DXPs are uniquely positioned to address this complexity. As Forrester notes, DXPs are rich in customer interaction data, support high-value business outcomes, and serve a diverse set of practitioners — all of which make them fertile ground for AI innovation. 

“DXP is a trove of trusted customer interaction data… Unleashing AI on this data enables organizations to understand audience intent and respond to that intent with irresistible offers.” — Forrester, The Impact of AI on Digital Experience Platforms

And Perficient’s experts agree that DXPs are a great place to start when integrating AI into experience delivery. 

“Marketing and IT leaders are under pressure to deliver personalized, omnichannel experiences at scale, and that’s exactly where DXPs shine. By embedding AI into the core of these platforms, clients can unlock the full value of their customer data and streamline operations across content, commerce, and campaigns,” said Mark Polly, Perficient Principal, Customer Experience Platforms.  

Agentic AI Ushers in a New Era of Experience Operations

The report highlights the rise of agentic AI and how these intelligent agents operate within DXPs to automate tasks, answer questions, and optimize workflows. These agents are transforming how marketers, developers, and content creators interact with their platforms, reducing friction and accelerating time to value. 

Perficient’s experience with orchestration tools and AI agents reinforces this trend. While many vendors offer orchestration capabilities, Perficient often helps clients integrate these tools across their broader tech ecosystem. 

” For marketing and IT leaders, true orchestration moves beyond linear workflows; it’s about integrating platforms like AEM and Optimizely to create a dynamic, responsive system. This integration is the key to driving operational efficiency and gaining the unified insights needed for deeper customer engagement. AI agents play a critical role here, transforming those rigid workflows into the real-time orchestration that a modern customer journey demands. Adoption is still in its early stages, which is where we help clients build a strategic advantage,” said Perficient digital strategy principal Grant Davies. 

Emerging GenAI Use Cases in DXPs

From brand-aware content creation to code generation and experimentation, GenAI is also rapidly expanding its footprint in DXP environments. Vendors like Adobe, Sitecore, and Salesforce are launching copilots and agents that empower users to create, test, and optimize experiences with unprecedented speed and precision. 

Perficient is already helping clients explore these capabilities and align them with business goals. 

Polly said, “We’re seeing real momentum around GenAI use cases in DXP from brand-consistent content creation to intelligent experimentation. These capabilities aren’t just flashy features; they’re solving real business problems like reducing time to market and improving conversion rates. The key is aligning AI with measurable outcomes and ensuring strong governance.” 

Perficient Wins 2025 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award for GenAI Integrity Accelerator   Learn More

Strategic Adoption Requires Strong Foundations 

Successful AI adoption in DXPs requires more than just technology. Organizations must invest in strong data foundations, human oversight, and change management to ensure responsible and effective use of AI. These are areas where Perficient continues to guide clients with strategic consulting and hands-on implementation. 

We believe our inclusion in the research for Forrester’s report, The Impact of AI on Digital Experience Platforms, reflects our deep expertise in helping enterprise clients implement and optimize DXPs. Whether it’s integrating predictive analytics, deploying cognitive copilots, or improving data governance, our teams are leading the way in enabling AI-powered transformation. 

We’re honored to be interviewed for this research and proud to contribute to the evolving conversation around AI in digital experience. If you’re exploring how to bring AI into your DXP strategy, we invite you to connect with us and keep the conversation going. 

Access the report here (available to Forrester subscribers or for purchase).

Contact us  to learn more. 

On the hundredth anniversary of its circulation, Automotive News launched a series on the technological innovations driving the shift to “software-defined vehicles” (SDVs). The articles explore the fragmented U.S. roadmap to software integration, intensifying global competition, OEM progress to date, and the uncertainties shaping automakers’ strategies. 

This coverage signals an evolution. As automakers race to redefine themselves as technology companies, the industry is grappling with how software will reshape value, competition, and consumer trust. 

Perficient’s Connected Products Research Provides Clarity 

At Perficient, our latest connected products research “Build a Powerful Connected Products Strategy” adds a critical layer of data to the SDV conversation: distinguishing not what automakers think matters most — but what consumers actually care about.

“OEMs are making strategic bets on software-defined vehicles, but consumers are weighing very different factors when making purchase decisions. The gap between those perspectives is significant — and closing it is critical,” said Justin Huckins, Director, Strategy, Automotive Industry Lead.  

This difference matters. OEMs navigating still-undefined SDV pathways need data-based consumer signals to guide product architecture, user experience, data governance, and connected services. Otherwise, they risk widening the gap between industry emphasis and end-user expectations. 

Four Key Insights: Where Automakers and Consumers Diverge 

Our research gathered perspectives from 1,307 respondents including consumers, OEMs, and manufacturers, surfacing a series of misalignments: 

1. Trust is the top consumer priority, but not for manufacturers. Only 22% of manufacturers flagged “trust” as a critical factor in adoption — yet consumers consistently rank it #1. 
2. Consumers don’t feel informed about data collection. Despite widespread anxiety about data privacy, only 19% of consumers feel fully aware of what their vehicles are collecting. 
3. Experience outweighs engineering. “Consumers are more worried about the experience than the engineering. OEMs often enter the connected space for internal reasons — field data, R&D — but buyers expect tangible value in everyday use,” said Kevin Espinosa, Director, Strategy, Manufacturing Industry Lead. 
4. Integration matters. 38% of consumers highlighted integration with other connected devices as a key feature. This points to expectations of seamless cross-device ecosystems — from vehicles to homes to mobile apps. 

Why this Research Matters in the Race to Software Defined Vehicles 

• Trust as a foundation: Software-defined vehicles amplify consumer concerns around data handling, privacy, and transparency.  “It’s alarming that manufacturers and their customers don’t value trust in the same way,” said Jim Hertzfeld, Area Vice President. Trust is no longer a secondary issue; it’s the foundation for adoption. 

• The global race, China’s edge & collaboration: As Automotive News highlights, China’s accelerated SDV progress creates global pressure. Collaborative development models will only succeed if OEMs align around consumer trust and clarity. 

• Roadmap clarity through consumer signals: With the SDV roadmap still fuzzy, consumer insights provide directional clarity on where to invest — from UX and subscriptions to data governance and operating models. “OEMs are looking to monetize, but customers are looking for better experiences. Whoever reconciles that disconnect first will lead the next wave of SDVs,” added Justin. 

Shaping SDV Strategies Around What Buyers Value 

As the SDV era accelerates — with new architectures, shared development models, and software updates over the air — aligning strategy with consumer expectations around transparency and privacy will be just as important as the technology itself.  

Leveraging our position as the global AI-first consultancy, Perficient partners with Fortune 2000 companies across industries—healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and more—to digitize operations, modernize with cloud and AI, and unlock insights from connected data platforms. That cross-industry vantage point matters, because there are now more connected products in the world than people, and vehicles are becoming one of the most important nodes in this ecosystem. 

If you’re exploring how SDV strategies can be shaped by what buyers truly value, our research offers a tangible perspective. Download Build a Powerful Connected Products Strategy or schedule an interview with our industry leaders to discuss how consumer insights can inform your software defined vehicle strategy.

In the face of economic uncertainty, shifting buyer expectations, and rapid technological change, manufacturing marketers must evolve to stay competitive. LinkedIn’s 2025 B2B Manufacturing Buyer Research highlights five key trends that define this transformation. By leveraging AI-powered Adobe tools, marketers can meet these challenges head-on and build future-ready brands.

Trend 1: Future-Proofing Through Innovation

What’s happening:

Buyers are increasingly focused on operational efficiency and long-term digital transformation. 87% of respondents say their organizations are prioritizing efficiency, and many struggle to keep up with the pace of technological change.

What marketers should do:

Position their brand as a strategic innovation partner. Showcase how their solutions solve today’s challenges while preparing buyers for future disruptions.

How Adobe can help:

• Adobe Experience Platform enables real-time customer profiling and segmentation, helping marketers tailor messaging to evolving buyer needs.
• Adobe Sensei powers predictive analytics to uncover inefficiencies and forecast trends.
• Adobe Workfront streamlines collaboration and campaign execution, ensuring agility in response to market shifts.

Trend 2: Building Trust Through Expertise

What’s happening:

55% of buyers struggle to differentiate vendors. Trust, credibility, and consistent messaging are now essential for winning business.

What marketers should do:

Lead with transparency and expertise. Use testimonials, data-driven results, and thought leadership to build trust and stay top-of-mind.

How Adobe can help:

• Adobe Real-Time CDP delivers personalized experiences across channels, reinforcing brand consistency.
• Adobe Journey Optimizer ensures relevant, timely messaging that builds credibility.
• Adobe Experience Manager allows marketers to manage and deliver trusted content like case studies and performance data at scale.

Trend 3: Complex Buying Demands a Message for Every Stakeholder

What’s happening:

Manufacturing buying groups are growing in size and diversity, often involving executives, operations, procurement, and finance. Each stakeholder has unique priorities, and manufacturing marketers must tailor messaging accordingly.

What marketers should do:

Develop stakeholder-specific messaging. Use targeted content to address the goals of executives, operations, procurement, and finance.

How Adobe can help:

• Adobe Target enables A/B testing and personalization for different personas.
• Adobe Analytics helps identify stakeholder behavior and preferences.
• Adobe Workfront supports campaign orchestration across teams, ensuring alignment and timely delivery of tailored content.

Trend 4: Creative Impact, Market Presence, and Transparency Get Buyers Talking

What’s happening:

Buyers are seeking solution-oriented vendors who deliver ROI and not just low-cost providers. With 60% of buyers focused on ROI over cost and only 29% feeling confident in their awareness of new vendors, there’s a clear opportunity for marketers to stand out through impactful storytelling and brand presence.

What marketers should do:

Craft compelling brand stories through rich visuals and multimedia, maintain transparency with consistent, personalized messaging, and build a strong market presence through omnichannel campaigns.

How Adobe can help:

• Adobe Creative Cloud empowers marketers to design visually compelling, brand-consistent assets, from event collateral to digital ads, that capture attention and communicate value.
• Adobe Experience Manager enables marketers to deliver personalized, omnichannel content experiences that reinforce brand credibility and transparency.
• Adobe Marketo Engage supports lead nurturing with tailored messaging and automated campaigns that highlight ROI and long-term value.
• Adobe Analytics provides deep insights into content performance, helping marketers refine messaging and creative strategies based on buyer engagement.
• Adobe Real-Time CDP ensures marketers can deliver relevant, personalized content across channels by unifying customer data and activating it in real time.

Trend 5: Social Media Sparks Action and Drives Results

What’s happening:

Social media is a powerful driver of buyer engagement and decision-making. Over 40% of manufacturing buyers say vendor content on social platforms has influenced their purchasing decisions.

What marketers should do:

Lead conversations on relevant platforms. Use social media to share thought leadership, spark engagement, and drive measurable action.

How Adobe can help:

• Adobe GenStudio for Performance Marketing enables marketers to plan, create, and activate high-performing campaigns across social and digital channels. It streamlines content workflows and ensures brand consistency while optimizing for performance.
• Adobe Analytics tracks social media performance and buyer behavior, helping marketers understand what content drives engagement and refine strategies accordingly.

Marketing as a Catalyst for Transformation

The future of manufacturing marketing lies in connecting innovation with trust, personalization with scale, and creativity with performance. These five trends provide a roadmap for marketers who are ready to lead, rather than just react.

By leveraging AI-powered platforms like Adobe Experience Cloud, marketing leaders can deliver unified and personalized experiences that resonate across every stage of the buyer’s lifecycle.

Are you ready to lead the transformation? Let’s manufacture the future together.

Customer experience (CX) continues to be a defining factor in business success. In a digital-first world, even a single poor interaction can drive customers to competitors, contributing to an estimated $1.6 trillion in annual losses in the U.S. alone. On the other hand, exceptional omnichannel experiences build trust, deepen loyalty, and turn customers into lifelong advocates.

Perficient included in IDC Market Glance: Customer Experience Services, 2025

We’re proud to share that Perficient has once again been included in the category of IT Services Providers in the IDC Market Glance: Customer Experience Services, 2Q25 report (doc #US52469525, June 2025).

According to IDC, “Agentic AI and GenAI are working their way into marketing and sales technologies and services, beginning with a pragmatic focus on automating, improving and scaling existing business processes and offerings. New AI-based business models have yet to emerge, but AI is already putting existing CX services under pressure to change.”

Embracing an AI-First Future

As part of our AI-first company mission, Perficient is committed to helping organizations harness the power of artificial intelligence to revolutionize customer experiences. From the use of generative AI in content creation and virtual agents, to intelligent automation and predictive analytics, we’re enabling businesses to unlock new levels of personalization, efficiency, and growth.

Strategy Meets Innovation

Our strategists use Journey Science, a core component of our Envision Framework, to help clients identify opportunities, define a customer-centric vision, and build a prioritized roadmap for transformation. This approach ensures that every touchpoint is optimized to deliver seamless, personalized, and measurable experiences.

Operationalizing CX with Data and AI

The future of CX is rooted in customer obsession—and we help you execute that vision. By combining deep customer insights with AI-powered tools and data-driven strategies, we enable organizations to deliver extraordinary value at every stage of the customer journey.

Ready to elevate your customer experience strategy? Explore how Perficient’s AI-first approach and CX expertise can help you drive measurable results: Customer Experience + Digital Marketing Services | Perficient