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Smart Manufacturing 2025

Trends Shaping the Digital-First Era and Beyond

Find out how companies plan to use Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) software to have the greatest impact on customer satisfaction, revenue, and more in our report.

The future of manufacturing is crucial to the global economy, employing over 13.6% of the global workforce and contributing 16% to the global GDP. To understand the priorities and challenges of manufacturing organizations in 2025, we surveyed 500 CPQ, PLM, and engineering modeling or simulation software professionals in the US and Germany.

Get the Insights

New technologies, managing labor and skill shortages, and continuous innovation are top of mind for these professionals.

Download the full report today to explore these insights and prepare your organization for the future of manufacturing.

Key Priorities for 2025 Include:

Adopting new
 technologies

Developing new
products

Improving security
and data protection

Notably, 70% of manufacturing professionals report increased software budgets, and nearly all businesses plan to invest in Industrial IoT (IIoT) platforms, sustainable technologies, and cloud-based manufacturing in the coming year.

Addressing the Challenges Ahead

Over the next year and beyond, manufacturers will encounter skilled labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and pressures for innovation and sustainability. Data security and software platform integration are top challenges, along with keeping up with rapid technological advancements, managing automation costs, and addressing AI energy consumption. Evolving technology is likely to transform CPQ software and its applications for manufacturing companies.

Reshaping the Manufacturing Landscape with Industry 5.0

Industry 5.0 combines AI, IoT, big data, robotics, and automation, revolutionizing manufacturing with smart factories that optimize processes autonomously. This transformation enhances supply chain transparency, creates tech-driven job roles, and fosters a connected, sustainable future.

Engineering and manufacturing professionals think that  AI-driven recommendations (37%) and advanced analytics (30%) within CPQ software will have the greatest impact on their industry by 2050.