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.

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
Equipment maintenanceExcessive downtime and unscheduled maintenance.Improve factory operations

Use an agent to help improve factory operations and OEE

Perform factory maintenance

Support maintenance activities to reduce downtime.

Optimizing asset management

Analyze equipment data and maintenance schedules

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 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

Workforce managementChallenging to keep the right mix of skillsets on site while managing PTO and outages.Improve factory safety

Use the Factory Safety Agent to help avoid incidents

Assist field service advisors

Help field engineers solve customer issues

Simplify tasks for plant employees

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

Manufacturing roles