webinar highlights: manufacturing automation made simple

The manufacturing world is changing fast, and small to midsize production teams are feeling that shift every day. From workforce shortages to rising material costs and growing customer expectations for speed and transparency, today’s manufacturers are being asked to do more with less. 

During our recent webinar, Small Automation, Big Impact: Practical Steps for Smaller Manufacturers, CIMx Software’s Kristin McLane and industry expert from Info-Tech Research Group, Shreyas Shukla, explored how manufacturers can take meaningful first steps toward automation (without large budgets or overhauls). Their discussion revealed one key message: automation doesn’t have to be complex to create measurable change.

the pressure to adapt in today's manufacturing

Small manufacturers are under increasing strain. Supply chain challenges are fluctuating material availability and how fast they can be acquired. Labor shortages are making it difficult to fill skilled positions and younger generations are losing interest in the industry as a whole. Meanwhile, variability in materials, processes, and people adds new layers of complexity to daily operations. These challenges create one clear demand: variability requires visibility. 

Manufacturers need to know exactly what’s happening on the shop floor in real time. Without that visibility, it’s nearly impossible to make informed decisions or prevent errors before they happen. As Kristin noted, this growing variability signals it’s time to rethink traditional processes, especially those dependent on spreadsheets or manual updates. 

the path to practical automation

The biggest barrier to automation is the perception that it’s out of reach. Too costly, too technical, or too disruptive. But practical automation begins with one simple step: digitizing your existing processes through a digital tool like an MES (Manufacturing Execution System). An MES creates a digital foundation that captures data, standardizes workflows, and eliminates the most common sources of human error. By focusing on “operator-centric automation”, tools that make work easier, faster, and more accurate, manufacturers can see ROI quickly, often within a single workflow or process.

The goal isn’t to replace people, but to empower them. As Shreyas shared, even small automation steps, like capturing production data or reducing manual input, helps teams respond faster, reduce waste, and make smarter decisions. Automate with purpose became a key theme of the session: automation should support people, not overwhelm them. 

the DIY dilemma: when spreadsheets and AI tools fall short 

Many smaller teams try to bridge their digital gaps with do-it-yourself systems (connected spreadsheets or AI tools like ChatGPT). These solutions may solve immediate problems but often create new ones as operations grow. Kristin described how these one-off tools tend to mirror existing inefficiencies instead of improving them. They lack structure, scalability, and consistency, leading to data silos, version control issues, and limited visibility. Shreyas echoed this sentiment, noting that disconnected systems can create technical debt and security risks that slow long-term progress. 

One solution? Building on a structured foundation like an MES. A connected system that allows manufacturers to start small, scale sustainability, and add layers of automation over time. Sustainability requires structure and structure begins with visibility.

turning data into real-time insight

Once manufacturers begin capturing data digitally, the real value of automation comes into view. Real-time insights into production counts, cycle times, and downtime transform operations from reactive to proactive. By connecting data across the shop floor, a system provides context, helping teams see where bottlenecks occur, where materials are delayed, and where efficiency gains are possible. What starts as a supportive tracking tool quickly becomes a growth engine, driving continuous improvement and smarter decision-making at entry level.

building confidence through small wins 

Change can be intimidating, but the path forward doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Kristin emphasized that successful automation begins with small wins, digitizing a single workflow, station, or part of your current process (like inventory or quality control) to demonstrate measurable improvement in accuracy, efficiency, and visibility. 

When leadership and operations see these early results, trust builds naturally. Operators recognize that automation isn’t replacing their skills, it’s helping them perform with greater precision and less stress. This people-first approach, supported by personal training and ongoing guidance, ensures that every step forward feels manageable and meaningful. Small wins build trust and that trust is what fuels transformation.

what’s next for small manufacturers

As teams grow more comfortable with digital systems, they naturally begin asking: what comes next?

The answer lies in scalability. A flexible system evolves with the manufacturer, from spreadsheet-based tracking to connected digital operations capable of supporting advanced automation, AI-driven insights, and predictive analytics. With a strong digital foundation, small manufacturers can finally compete on the same playing field as larger enterprises. 

CIMx is helping bridge that gap every day, bringing scalable, operator-friendly MES solutions to manufacturers ready to adopt systems that meet today’s needs and prepare for tomorrow’s growing opportunities. 

final takeaways

The future of manufacturing isn’t reserved for the biggest players, it’s being built by the small and midsize teams who are embracing smart, intentional automation today. By establishing a digital backbone through an MES, manufacturers can move from firefighting to foresight, turning data into decisions, variability into visibility, and uncertainty into opportunities.

Reach out to the CIMx team to explore how a digital foundation can support your path to automation.