Manufacturing Automation: What’s Really Changed Since 2020?

Manufacturing Automation: What’s Really Changed Since 2020?

In 2020, we asked: What will our automated future really look like?

Our answer was: one grounded in data, interoperability, and intent.

That post, Automation Weekly #113, was written at a time when COVID-19 was revealing deep vulnerabilities in global supply chains, and automation was touted as a fix-all.

But nearly five years later, how far have we actually come?

What’s Changed Since Then?

1. Broader Acceptance of Automation

More manufacturers now see automation as essential, not optional. From part inspection to quoting to scheduling, digital tools are becoming more common - especially in additive.

2. More Affordable, Scalable Technology

Cloud-first MES platforms, open APIs, and affordable IoT sensors have lowered the barrier to entry for automation. We’re no longer talking about $10M ERP overhauls - automation can start small and scale fast.

3. The Rise of Real-Time Contextual Data

Tools like Authentise Threads didn’t exist in 2020. Now, they bring context into every corner of the workflow, turning automation from a blunt tool into a smart system.

What Hasn’t Changed?

1. Disconnected Systems Still Dominate

Despite advances, most manufacturers still operate with siloed machines, teams, and data sets. Excel is still the glue.

2. Automation Often Lacks Intent

We said in 2020 that automation must be purposeful. That’s still true. A poorly implemented automation system just moves mistakes faster.

3. Human Expertise Still Gets Lost

Automation can be incredibly powerful - but not when it ignores tribal knowledge. Capturing and sharing that insight remains a work in progress.

What Needs to Happen Next?

For automation to move from possible to powerful, three things need to happen:

✅ Connect systems via open standards

✅ Capture data with intent - not just volume

✅ Embed context into every decision point

This is exactly what we’ve built into Authentise Flows and Threads: A connected digital infrastructure that aligns real-time data with human intent, decision-making, and business outcomes.

Related Read

👉 How Software is Streamlining the AM Workflow

Final Thoughts: It's Not About Robots. It’s About Results.

Automation isn’t the future. It’s already here.

But the difference between success and chaos is how well it’s integrated.

If you're still relying on disconnected tools and manual handoffs, it’s time to evolve - because real automation doesn’t just move data. It moves your business forward.

👉 Explore Flows - Book a Demo today.