How ERP Will Help the UK’s Aerospace and Defence Sector Reach New Heights

The UK’s aerospace and defence businesses are amongst the most innovative in our economy. The race to develop new products, support more sustainable aviation, and respond to changing customer requirements means they are always looking for new ways to improve operational performance. Those who embrace digitisation will steal a march on the competition and fit-for-purpose SYSPRO ERP provides an ideal platform to meet the challenges and exploit the opportunities ahead.

Recent months have seen an uptick in demand within the aerospace and defence sector. We are witnessing a post-lock down resurgence in travel and according to The International Air Transport Association (IATA), air traffic in 2023 was up 36.9% on the previous year. As a result, there has been an increase in orders for new aircraft and a focus across the industry to scale up both production and R&D.

Data from The International Trade Administration indicates that UK civil aerospace turnover totalled $34.5 billion in 2022. More than 3,000 aerospace companies operate from our shores, supporting around 280,000 jobs. From engines to helicopters, we are respected around the world for our manufacturing expertise and companies are gearing up to respond to increased demand for their products and services.

Much of that demand is set to come out of the drive for decarbonisation, with pressure mounting to accelerate the transition to net zero aviation. In 2023 the UK Government announced £218 million of public and private sector funding for R&D projects that support the development of energy efficient and zero-carbon aircraft technology.

Embracing digital technologies

Aerospace and defence businesses will need the right digital backbone in place to make the most of new opportunities and help overcome ongoing challenges such as supply chain disruption and skills shortages. The adoption of best-in-class ERP will be critical in building resilience, securing compliance and exploiting automation.

As an industry-built system that continually evolves to meet the changing needs of its users, SYSPRO can help future-proof operations by giving them the insight and functionality they need to stay ahead of the competition. It helps businesses address a range of issues including:

New product development

Speed to market is the key challenge for all innovative businesses and aerospace and defence manufacturers must commercialise their R&D as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Adopting an ERP system that accelerates the process by giving access to reliable real time data can prove invaluable in a competitive global market. Be it providing the information needed to meet regulatory requirements and improve quality control, or helping track changes through the design process, SYSPRO has it covered.

Working in partnership

Working with an integrated ERP system that gives everyone access to a single source of truth has far reaching benefits. Increasingly, businesses across the sector are needing to share more information across departments and beyond their own organisation. That is very challenging when people are using disparate platforms and cannot see the same data at the same time.

SYSPRO is designed for collaborative working, giving everyone access to reliable real time information wherever and whenever it is required. Many manufacturers are having to work more closely with OEMs. In addition, some are embracing the “sell together win together” approach which sees them join forces to deliver large projects where they do not have all the required capabilities in-house.

As a result, effective information sharing is mission critical. Not only does SYSPRO have the functionality to make that possible but NexSys’ system integration and data manipulation tool DataSwitch provides the missing link to standardise the flow of information between unconnected software systems.

Resilient supply chains

Managing complex global supply chains and the impact of geopolitical instability threatens to cause considerable disruption. It is more important than ever to have complete visibility of supply chains so that measures can be put in place to avoid increased costs and extended lead times.

Supply chain digitisation will build resilience, drive efficiency and boost competitiveness. A recent Deloitte supply chain study found that 78% of survey respondents agreed that digital solutions would enhance visibility and transparency throughout the supply network. SYSPRO enables businesses to share information in a speedy and effective manner.

Traceability

The aerospace and defence sector relies on traceability to satisfy regulators, manage supply chains and track what is happening on the shop floor. SYSPRO ERP enables users to have complete control of the end-to-end manufacturing process. The system can monitor everything from the sourcing of materials to delivery at the customer’s door and provide an accurate audit trail.

Our customers have full visibility of what was done when and by whom. They can view the entire product journey with detailed information on each component and design change. When things do go wrong and something needs to be recalled, it can be managed and investigated in a fast and effective manner.

Industry 4.0

Embracing disruptive technologies holds the key to the future of advanced manufacturing. Aerospace and defence companies are forging ahead in developing smart factories and using real time data analytics to exploit Industry 4.0.

Be it adopting additive manufacturing. generative AI, or IoT connectivity, having the right digital infrastructure opens a whole new realm of opportunities. SYSPRO has built in AI and IoT applications to take your manufacturing capabilities to the next level.

SYSPRO’s Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) solution helps manufacturers improve operational efficiencies. By improving visibility of the shop floor through employee and machine monitoring, MOM equips customers with the information they need to plan more effectively, be it reducing lead times or tracking the Kw/hr performance of their equipment.

Leading the charge

It is an exciting time to be operating in the aerospace and defence sectors, yet businesses will need to be digitally savvy to stay on course.

Fit for purpose SYSPRO ERP allows manufacturers to navigate an ever-shifting commercial landscape and put innovation at the heart of their operation. From driving efficiencies and exploiting automation to accelerating product development, the possibilities are endless. Talk to our team today about how we can support you on your digital journey.