By Peter Kamau, Industry Business Leader – East Africa, Schneider Electric./HANDOUT
In recent years, the conversation around digital transformation in manufacturing has moved from broad ambition to practical implementation. And at the heart of this shift is a new class of tools: industry-specific software.
These are not just
generic platforms layered over factory floors; they’re purpose-built solutions
designed to meet the very specific needs of sectors like mining,
pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage manufacturing.
Industry-specific software has evolved from a “nice to have” into a mission-critical layer of modern operations. Manufacturers are no longer just asking how to automate.
They’re asking how to optimize, how to adapt faster to market changes, and how to improve quality while keeping costs under control. And software, when developed with their sector in mind, is what enables them to do all that, and more.
From General Tools to Tailored Value
In the early days, software solutions were designed with universality in mind—built to serve many industries with the same core product.
That meant most users had to work
around unnecessary modules or features they didn’t need. The tools weren’t bad;
they just weren’t built for the job at hand.
Industry-specific software changes that. These are products designed from the ground up to meet the requirements of a particular industry, with tailored workflows, features, and metrics that match exactly how that business runs.
Not only does this add value through better usability, but it also lowers deployment and maintenance costs. The software is lighter, more focused, and far more efficient, both for the user and the supplier.
The result is a deeper level of operational control and insight. For a manufacturing business, that could mean better batch tracking, smarter production scheduling, or faster recall responses.
And in highly regulated environments like pharma or food processing, where precision is everything, the difference between a general and industry-specific system can be massive.
Making Complex Tasks Simpler and Smarter
Take batch tracking, for example. When quality control depends on tight recipe management and strict environmental conditions, a single deviation can lead to an entire batch being compromised.
With software designed specifically for that environment, it becomes possible to trace each batch to the exact raw materials used, the conditions under which it was produced, and even the supplier who provided those materials.
This level of traceability is invaluable not just for quality control, but for product improvement, brand protection, and regulatory compliance.
Similarly, with the right software in place, production schedules can be updated in real time to match fast-changing consumer preferences.
Manufacturers can shift lines quickly to meet demand - say, producing a new flavor, color, or packaging variant - without shutting down operations or spending huge amounts on reconfiguration. That kind of flexibility used to be a luxury. Now, it’s becoming a competitive necessity.
Choosing the Right
Software Partner
When manufacturers look to invest in new software, they’re not just buying a product — they’re entering into a long-term partnership.
That’s why it’s essential to work with a supplier who is actively investing in their platform’s future. The digital landscape is changing rapidly, and new versions of software often arrive within a year or two of the last. These upgrades need to be seamless, secure, and minimally disruptive to ongoing operations.
Cybersecurity is another growing concern. We’ve already seen large-scale software failures globally that have crippled business operations.
Manufacturers need assurance that the tools they rely on are robust, well-supported, and constantly being improved. Software is no longer just a support system, it’s a core business asset. It needs to be treated as such.
Manufacturers should also consider how portable and future-ready the software is. Can it be moved from on-premise servers to the cloud or a third-party data center?
Can it integrate with both new and aging infrastructure? And what will it cost to upgrade, scale, or migrate when needed? These are no longer technical questions, they’re strategic ones.
Overcoming Resistance to Change
Change, particularly in established industries, can be met with hesitation. But that resistance is starting to fade, and not just because leadership is pushing for it.
Today’s workforce is younger, more tech-savvy, and expects their tools at work to be just as intuitive and connected as those in their personal lives. If they’re used to getting real-time alerts and updates on their phone, why shouldn’t they expect the same on the factory floor?
That cultural shift is helping companies adopt digital tools more smoothly. But it still starts with good information.
Companies need to know what’s out there, how it works, and what kind of support they’ll receive, not just during deployment, but well into the product’s lifecycle.
This is where we, as solution providers, need to step up. It’s not just about selling software. It’s about guiding manufacturers through a digital journey, making sure the value is clear and measurable from the start.
A Software-Led Future
The future of industry in East Africa, and across the globe, will be defined by software. We’re already seeing facilities that run autonomously, with machines managing themselves from start to finish.
Artificial intelligence is helping close knowledge gaps, optimize resource use, and even forecast market trends before they fully take shape.
As adoption grows, I believe we’ll also see more local system integrators entering the space, helping reduce costs and drive implementation at scale. That means software will become more accessible, more localized, and more deeply embedded into the DNA of manufacturing businesses.
My message to manufacturers is simple: software is no longer optional. It’s not something to experiment with “when the time is right.”
The time is now. And if you’re not investing in it or at least exploring how it can serve your business, you risk being left behind in a market that’s only getting faster, smarter, and more connected.
The writer is the Industry Business Leader – East Africa, Schneider Electric
