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.

Download the Manufacturing scenarios kit
Roles icon

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. 

Transform processes icon

Transform Manufacturing processes

Key processes Before AI Using AI
Equipment maintenanceExcessive downtime and unscheduled maintenance.Perform factory maintenanceOptimizing asset management

Support maintenance activities to reduce downtime.

Product developmentMinimizing downtime and ensuring timely maintenance.New product ideation and research

Improve product development from ideation to launch.

Quality controlDifficult to ensure consistent product quality and detect defects and deviations.Recall management

Streamline the process from early detection to effective communications

Supply chain managementDifficult to optimize logistics and inventory management as well as supplier contracts.Production planningSupplier quality optimization

Set production schedules based on sales and inventory

Supplier RFP

From assessment to transition plans Copilot can help with supplier management

Contract lifecycle management

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

Workforce managementChallenging to keep the right mix of skillsets on site while managing PTO and outages.Assist field service advisorsSimplify tasks for plant employees

Help field engineers solve customer issues

Manufacturing roles