Not all startups want to disrupt – why this cloud manufacturing business is focused on a quiet revolution

Startups have long been described as ‘disruptive’. As they continue to introduce new principles and technologies, they are also viewed as groups who want to take over and influence the way we think, operate, and function.

Data from the Centre for Entrepreneurs’ 2019 annual startup index reveal that in London alone, there is a 2.4 percent increase in the number of startups. The numbers are continuously growing in other parts of the UK, which proves that this revolution is real.

Contrary to popular beliefs, not all startups exist to disrupt. They come and go but one thing is for sure—they aim to produce positive results. Challenging traditions has never been an easy feat as you have to go against the flow. But why do they even have to risk their own careers to prove a point? It’s because their tech innovations can solve basic issues that are hampering growth.

Resistance is an initial response from organisations who are not yet ready to adapt. While we can’t blame them, most of the time, it’s the lack of understanding that produces fear of embracing new ideas. This is particularly true in the manufacturing industry where some businesses still follow outdated strategies that may no longer be as effective.

Cloud manufacturing in the startup scene

Living in the digital age is inevitable but thriving is an option. Startups promoting cloud manufacturing teach us to thrive in a digitised setting—in the workplace, for your personal use, and to grow your production business.

In the global manufacturing industry, an award-winning startup called Fractory has been creating waves ever since it has launched a cloud-based sheet metal fabrication platform. Given the type of industry and the systems in place, it was not that easy to introduce a new product that’s purely cloud-based. However, with its proprietary algorithms designed to automate the entire sheet metal fabrication process, the company gained attention from its stakeholders.

“Everything you see on the platform has been developed in-house. We would have been happy to use pre-existing working models but there were none. The technology was developed as an answer to the market’s needs,” explains Martin Vares, Fractory’s CEO.

Fractory’s online fabrication services cater to both manufacturers and customers. The process is simple. To get a quotation, you do not need to call or email the company. It only requires you to upload a CAD file, along with the appropriate parameters, such as materials, quantity, and dimensions. Then, its system instantly matches customers to manufacturers depending on the expertise, costs, and locations. Production scheduling happens online—eliminating back and forth communications, and minimizing delays.

How can we benefit from this startup revolution?

Startups in the cloud manufacturing landscape, Fractory included, have similar goals in mind. Not to entirely disrupt the way things work, but to add a layer that can effectively reduce costs and increase productivity levels.

The manufacturing world is already saturated. If you want to stand out and produce high-quality output, going digital gives you an edge. Startup companies like Fractory have seen the gap in the industry. While there is so much potential growth, there is room to improve on when it comes to efficiencies. The faster you produce goods without compromising quality, the more you’ll generate leads and revenue. Accuracy is also a huge factor that slows down manual labour. Cloud manufacturing addresses this concern as the process is data-driven, secured, and backed up by algorithms to maintain high standards.

Key Takeaway

The world as we know it is constantly changing. Even consumer behaviours are shifting. Almost everything is done online nowadays. Falling behind digitisation, and choosing to work offline, will cost you more in the long run. How? You simply lose your target market—giving your competitors a headstart.

On the other hand, choosing to adapt to new technologies, understanding how it works, and being open to how tech startups can shake the industry, can result in many possibilities. Automating tasks can help lower stress levels, thus, you can focus on expanding your business. You’ll also lessen human errors by relying on accurate system computations. Instead of making countless calls, suppliers are now within your reach. Thanks to tech startups worldwide, we’re discovering new technologies to simplify our lives.