How cloud solutions are providing manufacturers flexibility, scalability and data-driven insights
In a joint interview conducted by Express Computer, Gautam Khanduja, Director at Mansons, and Terry Smagh, Senior Vice President & GM – Asia Pacific Japan at Infor, discussed Mansons’ journey of digital transformation and how adopting Infor’s LN and PLM solutions has driven significant improvements in manufacturing operations, productivity, and speed to market. The conversation also explored the role of cloud technology, the importance of industry-specific solutions, and how data-driven decision-making fosters growth and operational excellence across geographies.
The conversation also explores how these technologies are driving innovation, optimising supply chain management, and enabling better global collaboration in the manufacturing sector, particularly in automotive.
Mansons has achieved significant milestones in its digital transformation journey by adopting Infor’s LN and PLM solutions. Could you share how these solutions have helped modernise Mansons’ operations, particularly in enhancing speed to market and productivity?
Gautam Khanduja: Before adopting Infor, Mansons faced several challenges, including lack of communication flows and visibility across its manufacturing processes, which led to long manufacturing hours and product lifecycle times. Our speed to market for new product launches was around seven months, which was unacceptable in a competitive industry. We adopted Infor’s ERP system, which gave us visibility, improved process controls across different manufacturing centres, and integrated our systems across multiple sites.
The results have been transformative. In the last five years, we’ve reduced our product launch cycle from seven months to just under 50 days. This acceleration has helped us stay competitive, and the industry now expects us to launch new products within this timeframe. This change has been crucial to our growth and relevance in the market.
Infor is renowned for its industry-specific solutions. How do you see these tailored solutions driving growth and digital transformation for manufacturers, especially in the automotive sector?
Terry Smagh: At Infor, we focus on industry-specific needs. In the automotive sector, especially with the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), manufacturers need to streamline processes and accelerate time to market to stay competitive. Our solutions support manufacturers in modernising their data and processes, offering visibility, quality control, and governance across supply chains.
Innovation is key, and Infor’s solutions give companies a competitive edge. For instance, some of our customers are now reducing product cycles from years to just a few months. This agility is essential for manufacturers in fast-moving markets, including EV makers like BYD, who benefit from our industry-specific solutions.
From Manson’s perspective, what specific challenges did these solutions address?
Gautam Khanduja: Our key challenge was visibility across multiple plants and departments. Before Infor, we were managing operations with outdated systems like ledgers and Excel-based tools, which led to inefficiencies. With Infor, we gained a unified, cloud-based ERP solution that streamlined processes and gave us real-time visibility into our manufacturing lifecycle. This has drastically improved our productivity, allowed us to optimise supply chain management, and reduced delays in product development and distribution.
Seamless collaboration and data-driven decision-making are crucial for global operations. How have Infor’s solutions enabled Mansons to optimise supply chain management and foster better team collaboration across geographies?
Gautam Khanduja: Infor has been crucial in helping us optimise our supply chain across geographies. By moving to the cloud, we have real-time access to data from different plants, which has significantly improved our decision-making processes. For example, teams across our global manufacturing locations can now collaborate seamlessly, making faster decisions and ensuring that our products are delivered on time. This visibility and collaboration have enabled us to scale our operations and better serve international markets.
The automotive manufacturing sector is undergoing rapid evolution. What are the key technology trends, challenges, and opportunities you foresee shaping this industry? How does cloud technology play a role in addressing these challenges and driving competitiveness?
Terry Smagh: The automotive industry is rapidly evolving, with a growing focus on electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous driving technologies. Manufacturers must innovate quickly and remain agile to meet shifting consumer demands. Cloud technology is central to this transformation, providing manufacturers with the flexibility, scalability, and data-driven insights they need to optimise their operations and accelerate product development cycles. Infor’s cloud solutions enable real-time data access, better collaboration, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing market conditions. This helps manufacturers stay competitive in a fast-moving industry.
Infor has been innovating in AI and cloud technologies. Could you elaborate on how these advancements are transforming manufacturing?
Terry Smagh: AI and cloud technologies are transforming manufacturing by enabling more efficient production processes, predictive maintenance, and smarter supply chains. AI allows manufacturers to automate decision-making, improve forecasting, and optimise production schedules, reducing downtime and increasing efficiency. Cloud technology enhances these capabilities by providing a scalable, flexible infrastructure that supports continuous innovation. Our cloud solutions, combined with AI, help manufacturers make data-driven decisions faster, improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
How has Mansons leveraged these innovations to improve operational efficiency and customer experience?
Gautam Khanduja: Mansons has leveraged Infor’s AI-powered cloud solutions to enhance operational efficiency and improve customer experience. For example, we’ve implemented advanced data analytics to optimise our inventory management and production scheduling. This has reduced lead times and improved our on-time delivery performance. By streamlining our operations and increasing visibility into our supply chain, we’ve also been able to better meet customer demands, providing them with higher-quality products delivered faster than ever before.
Looking ahead, what are the next steps in Mansons’ journey to sustain growth through digital transformation? How does Infor plan to further support manufacturers like Mansons in achieving operational excellence in an increasingly digital world?
Gautam Khanduja: Looking ahead, we plan to continue expanding our digital transformation efforts, particularly by focusing on product lifecycle management (PLM) and further optimising our supply chain. We are also exploring new technologies, such as AI and IoT, to further enhance our manufacturing processes. Infor’s cloud-based solutions will continue to play a key role in helping us scale our operations and maintain high levels of efficiency and quality.
Terry Smagh: At Infor, we’re committed to helping manufacturers like Mansons achieve operational excellence through continuous innovation. We’ll continue to invest in AI, cloud, and other advanced technologies to help manufacturers streamline operations, improve productivity, and stay competitive in a fast-evolving market. Our focus on industry-specific solutions ensures that we meet the unique needs of manufacturers in sectors like automotive, providing them with the tools they need to succeed in a digital world.