AI and ML: What’s Really Happening in the SMB Manufacturing Space?

AI and ML: What’s Really Happening in the SMB Manufacturing Space?

This is not another article on how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming manufacturing. Day after day, your inbox and media feed are probably full of them. As is the case with many trending stories, it’s hard to tell what’s actually happening versus what’s expected to happen. I’m hoping this article provides a little perspective so Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) in the manufacturing space can stop feeling like they’re the only kids on the block without the latest I-phone.

Don’t get me wrong. The transformative capabilities and potential uses of AI and ML in the manufacturing space can’t be over-stated. AI/ML should absolutely be an ongoing strategic consideration for all manufacturing business leaders.

In January, the World Economic Forum’s article “6 ways to unleash the power of AI in manufacturing”  acknowledged: “The global AI in manufacturing market is valued at $3.2 billion in 2023 and is poised to grow to $20.8 billion by 2028. Yet, despite these possibilities and significant investments, manufacturers are not harnessing the full potential of AI.”

This sentiment was echoed in a recent blog article published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. While discussing AI as the industry’s key to future growth and profitability, the article acknowledges, “The uptick in usage has continued to be slow as well as uneven.” (Cecere, Cathy. March 6, 2024. “Manufacturing in 2024 Means Embracing AI.” ASME.org.)

After doing some research, I found this undercurrent of discussion about actual AI/ML use is starting to make its way into the media mainstream. It appears that while the biggest businesses and companies developing AI solutions are making the most progress and largest investments in AI/ML applications, SMBs in manufacturing should not just consider closing shop because they don’t have the knowledge, finances, or ability to make big leaps into the AI/ML arena right now.

It’s hard to tell what percentage of manufacturing companies – especially SMBs – are actually deploying AI/ML solutions today. Survey results from different sources run the gamut, indicating less than 4% of businesses are using AI/ML to produce goods and services to stating more than half of SMBs are playing in the AI/ML arena. One survey shows about 30% of large companies are using AI/ML and another shows less than 20% of global manufacturing companies use AI/ML on the plant floor.

Rather than trying to keep up with the Joneses, it feels like a good time to level set what manufacturing SMBs can actually do with AI/ML today and how to plan for the future. At this point, staying knowledgeable about what’s available, what’s coming, and use cases is vital.

Consider how AI/ML can address pain points in your business. Begin seeing how free AI apps can help you with a variety of everyday tasks, from marketing to scheduling, tracking receipts for expense reporting, and more. And, if you can, take advantage of AI enhancements to your current systems, equipment, and operations, explore where it makes the most sense.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has some information about small business use of AI. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) points out that, among other things, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership offers resources to “help you understand what technologies exist and if they are a good fit for your business,” with experts available to help you “establish an adoption strategy, scope the project, align suppliers with vetted resources and manage implementation to ensure your business goals and customer needs are met.” To learn about the NY MEP, click here.

As you’re considering how AI/ML will impact your business in the future, please remember RBT CPAs is  available to meet all of your accounting, tax, audit, and advisory needs. We’ve been proudly serving municipalities, businesses, non-profits, and individuals in the Hudson Valley for over 50 years. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call and find out how we can be Remarkably Better Together.

 

RBT CPAs is proud to say 100% of its work is prepared in America. Our company does not offshore work, so you always know who is handling your confidential financial data.

Navigating the 2024-2025 Budget Season

Navigating the 2024-2025 Budget Season

As if the annual budget season for school administrators and Boards of Education (BOE) isn’t challenging enough, a lack of information about the final New York state budget’s impact on Foundation Aid and the hold harmless (also referred to as save harmless) provision, along with enrollment challenges and the pending expiration of pandemic-era relief funds, have combined to create a perfect storm.

Originally, we were hoping to write this article about where the New York State 2024 budget landed in respect to education. The deadline for a final budget was April 1, but it has been pushed back as Senate and Assembly members rejected proposed cuts and are fighting for a 3% budget increase and restoration of Foundation Aid.

According to Senator Michelle Hinchey, “The Mid-Hudson region stands out as the most affected area compared to other regions in the state, facing a $31 million reduction (4.2%) in total funding.”

Hinchey led a rally to restore funding for mid-Hudson and upstate NY school. As noted on her website, “Our rural and Mid-Hudson Valley schools face the biggest cuts in the entire state; these are districts that have historically received inadequate Foundation Aid and cannot absorb the detrimental losses proposed without cutting curriculum or laying off staff. Out of 31 school districts in my district, all but six of them would face drastic cuts in funding, forcing them to make these decisions imminently.”

This leaves districts in a precarious situation as budget season moves ahead and local budget voting periods loom.

Another focal point of most New York districts’ budget discussions relates to declining enrollment. While student enrollment has been decreasing for years nationwide, it accelerated during COVID and in the ensuing years. In fact, a report from the Associated Press indicates New York continued to lead the nation in enrollment declines in the 2022-2023 school year, with decreases in every county.

Challenges are exasperated in some areas by a teacher and staffing shortage. What’s more, some districts face additional burdens resulting from high turnover in superintendent, other key administrator, and BOE positions, contributing to disruptions in long-term strategic planning, stage-setting communication, and change management.

New York is by no means alone. In recent years, headlines across the U.S. have been highlighting  challenges brought about by falling enrollment and staffing challenges. Responses have ranged from school closures and consolidations to adoption of a four-day school week and more:

  • Energy and water audits and system updates; explore an energy purchasing consortia through BOCES operations.
  • Working with local government to share resources while reducing costs. This can include everything from library and IT services to groundskeeping, snow removal, equipment expenses, and purchasing coops.
  • Consolidating backroom operations with other districts and local government for functions like payroll and benefits administration, human resources, accounting, staff development, safety and risk management, printing, and more.
  • Vacancy cuts, early retirement incentives, hiring freezes, and rightsizing.
  • Renting or leasing space in empty facilities to generate an income stream.
  • Selling vacant property and saving on property insurance costs.
  • Using GPS routing and inventory management systems for transportation efficiencies; discontinuing courtesy bussing for students who live within a certain distance of a school.
  • Outsourcing non-educational functions like food, custodial, transportation, and IT services.

A few approaches that appear to be helping some districts navigate discussions and the budgeting process include:

  1. Having a long-term strategy, developed collaboratively with parents and the community, so priorities are defined in advance and help guide budget and spending decisions.
  2. Collaboratively working with parents and the community to define guiding principles for making budget cuts. For example, if the number one priority is to maintain all program offerings for students, it’s easier to narrow down and gain support for where costs can be reduced or reallocated.
  3. Developing and presenting budget options based on different funding scenarios – if the state budget moves forward as is; if Foundation Aid is restored; or if state aid increases.

As we wait for the final state budget and answers about education funding for the upcoming school year, bipartisan support for restoring Foundation Aid and increasing the budget along with higher than projected state revenues may help districts avoid the worst-case scenarios – at least for this budget season.

As you focus on your school’s or district’s budgets and plans for the upcoming school year, you can count on RBT CPAs to handle your accounting, tax, audit, and advisory needs. We have been serving organizations and individuals in the Hudson Valley for more than 55 years and show time after time how RBT CPAs and our clients can be Remarkably Better Together. For more information, give us a call.

 

RBT CPAs is proud to say 100% of its work is prepared in America. Our company does not offshore work, so you always know who is handling your confidential financial data.