Five Technology Goals for Every Manufacturer In 2025 (From A CIO's Persepective)

With artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity concerns and other technology rapidly changing the way we do business in the electrical industry, it can be difficult to stay ahead of the changes. What technological areas should leadership teams in manufacturing (and other industries) be focused on in 2025? Here’s a place to start:

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1. GOVERN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Ready or not, AI is here, and it’s changing the way the electrical industry operates. If you don’t have a thoughtful AI strategy in place, or plans to develop one, you’re going to be left in the dust; however, using AI without any governance can expose sensitive data in your company (among other risks). How do you leverage AI to improve processes while keeping your company secure?

Start by charting out where you are as a company, where you want to go and how AI can help you get there. Once you’ve documented your goals, you can begin to develop some governance around how to safely use AI. Evaluate how you are using AI tools and securing your data, and educate your teams on what is acceptable usage and why.

2. ASSESS YOUR CYBERSECURITY

The average global cost of a data breach hit a record high of $4.88 million in 2024. Cybercrime is always evolving, and failing to evolve your cybersecurity can be costly for your business. How do you know where you might be vulnerable? Before you can implement new cybersecurity defense measures, you should identify your risks and assess your environment to make sure the right measures are being followed.

The manufacturing industry is very hands-on. While some roles primarily work from a desk, a large portion of the workforce is out on jobsites, working on the plant floor or traveling with less access to email. Have you trained and informed that portion of your workforce about the cybersecurity risks they face? With less exposure to email communication, will they recognize the difference between normal communications and phishing scams? Before you invest in new technologies, stop and assess what you’re currently doing to mitigate risks.

3. OWN CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Technology is always evolving. How do you make sure your IT team, and your company, stay ahead of the changes? You have to own the change management process and open lines of communication throughout the company. Being good at change management starts with aligning your priorities to your business strategy.

Many people are uncomfortable with change, but if you can communicate how new technologies and protocols will help you overcome challenges and reach long-term goals, it will be easier to get buy in. Get different teams included, so they know what you are focused on and why. If you’re really good at helping your company understand and manage change, you can evolve faster – and people love being included!

4. EMBRACE THE CLOUD

Doing business in the cloud is convenient, but it’s riskier, right? Well, not necessarily. Don’t be afraid of the cloud. Embrace it! In some cases, working on the cloud is more secure than on-premises options. Plus, it’s good to diversify your portfolio so all your data is not in the same location.

An internal server requires regular patching to keep it up to date and secure. If you don’t have the resources to consistently update servers, you risk leaving your data vulnerable, whereas cloud software is regularly and automatically patched with the latest updates by the software provider. Plus, cloud computing can aid in disaster recovery.

As you plan for future growth, cloud computing gives you flexibility to scale your operations without investing in more infrastructure, patching and maintenance.

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5. DEFINE YOUR DATA

In 2025, we have more methods of collecting data and more access to information than ever, but collecting data isn’t helpful if you don’t know what it means. Before you can start using data to make decisions, you should create a data governance plan – including a data dictionary – that defines the data points that are relevant for your company goals.

While all of your data governance is important, the data dictionary helps your teams know how to understand and use the data. There’s nothing worse than using data to make a decision and then discovering you misinterpreted the data. If everyone in your company can reference the same set of data standards and definitions, they can use data to more quickly and reliably make decisions.

WHAT ARE YOU FOCUSED ON IN 2025?

What technologies will have the biggest impact for you this year? What would you like to learn more about? Let us know how we can partner to overcome your challenges or if there is a topic we can address in the future.

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ARTICLE BY:

MARTINA SCHUBERT

EMPLOYEE-OWNER, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER