Research Demonstrates Quick Benefits for Manufacturers with AI and Analytics

“Manufacturing Analytics and AI Show Rapid Value for Manufacturers, Study Finds”

Chandler, AZ and Media, PA, USA, April 2, 2025 – A recent study conducted by the Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association International (MESA) and Tech-Clarity, Inc. revealed the significant benefits of implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics in the manufacturing industry. The study, titled “Making Manufacturing Analytics and AI Matter,” surveyed over 420 manufacturing professionals and examined the maturity of AI in manufacturing, as well as best practices for achieving rapid business value.

According to the report, advanced industrial analytics ranked as the top software project delivering rapid benefits, with 100% of companies reporting gains from deploying AI and analytics. These benefits were found to align with the drivers that led manufacturers to invest in digital transformation using analytics and AI. In addition, the report found that 99% of manufacturers are planning to invest in operations analytics and AI in the next two years.

One key takeaway from the study is that manufacturers should consider investing in analytics and AI as soon as possible, especially through small projects that align with their business needs. The report also highlights the importance of selecting use cases based on their potential business value, which sets top-performing manufacturers apart from others.

The report delves into the current state of descriptive analytics, predictive analytics such as machine learning (ML), and generative AI, showcasing the benefits that each form of AI has already brought to the manufacturing industry. However, the study also reveals that there are still significant hurdles for industrial AI, with the top challenge for both predictive and generative AI being inadequate data to train models or algorithms.

Data governance and data operations were also identified as areas for improvement, as the majority of respondents reported that their data is only usually consistent, rather than reliable and consistent. This is crucial for gaining trust and valuable outcomes in AI, as data quality plays a significant role in the success of these initiatives.

The study was conducted between December 2024 and January 2025, with a sample of 423 responses from various discrete, batch, process, and mixed-mode production industries, representing plants on every continent. The companies ranged in size from less than $100M to over $5B, and the survey included executives, VPs, directors, managers, and individual contributors from various disciplines.

The program was sponsored by Aegis Software, Arch Systems, Epicor, and GE Vernova, all of whom have offerings in manufacturing software, industrial data management, analytics, and AI. These companies’ representatives acted as support and reviewers throughout the survey and report development.

Qualified members of the press can request the executive summary, the full research report, charts and graphs of specific data, or an interview with lead researcher Julie Fraser of Tech-Clarity by contacting Julie.fraser@tech-clarity.com.

About Tech-Clarity, Inc.:

Tech-Clarity is an independent research firm dedicated to helping companies understand the business value of technology. They analyze the ways in which companies can improve innovation, product development, design, engineering, manufacturing, and service performance through digital transformation, best practices, software technology, industrial automation, and IT services. Their mission is to help manufacturers improve their business results through the use of PLM, portfolio management, CAD, simulation, MES/MOM, IoT, quality, service, supply chain, analytics, and other solutions. For more information, visit www.tech-clarity.com.

About MESA International:

Since 1992, the Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association (MESA) International has been helping the global manufacturing community use information technology to achieve business results through educational and research programs, best practice sharing, and networking. MESA is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit trade association and a global community of industry thought leaders actively driving business improvement through the effective application of technology and best practices. For more information, visit www.mesa.org.

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