{"id":69137,"date":"2025-11-18T13:04:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T11:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/?p=69137"},"modified":"2026-01-29T18:00:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T16:00:13","slug":"how-digital-transformation-enables-the-shift-to-smart-sustainable-manufacturing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/how-digital-transformation-enables-the-shift-to-smart-sustainable-manufacturing\/","title":{"rendered":"How digital transformation enables the shift to smart, sustainable manufacturing"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/category\/technology-innovation\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Technology &amp; Innovation<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow digital transformation enables the shift to smart, sustainable manufacturing\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-11-18T13:04:00+02:00\">November 18, 2025<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"How digital transformation enables the shift to smart, sustainable manufacturing\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/how-digital-transformation-enables-the-shift-to-smart-sustainable-manufacturing\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/author\/charlottedanby\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/05\/Charlotte-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/05\/Charlotte-350x350.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/05\/Charlotte-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/05\/Charlotte-810x810.jpg 810w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/05\/Charlotte.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Charlotte Danby<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sage-block-classic-wrapper mb-m\">\n\n<p>The digital era, also referred to as Industry 4.0, has enabled an always-on global marketplace in which consumers wield enormous influence and demand-responsive, personalised attention.<\/p>\n<p>COVID pushed businesses to prioritise customer-centricity even more, driving interest and investment in digitisation.<\/p>\n<p>A growing number of manufacturers are realising the urgent need to digitise to deliver superior customer experiences or risk losing relevance. This is particularly prevalent with regard to the issue of climate change.<\/p>\n<p>Many customers are increasingly concerned about environmental decline.<\/p>\n<p>Fuelled by digitally-enabled, easy access to a vast repository of shareable information, consumers choose to support companies that follow sustainable processes and practices \u2013 and eschew those that don\u2019t.<\/p>\n<p>However, these days ticking the sustainability box requires more than, say, an in-house waste management programme.<\/p>\n<p>Market demand for products designed for low environmental impact, from how they are manufactured, packaged, and used to how their components can be reused, requires an operational shift into the circular economy.<\/p>\n<p>You might already be familiar with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/the-internet-of-things-transforming-discrete-manufacturing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">circular economy and its sustainable production and consumption model<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Or perhaps it is an entirely new concept for you.<\/p>\n<p>Either way, recent studies such as this one highlight its growing importance within the manufacturing industry.<\/p>\n<p>This article is for anyone who wishes to better understand how the circular economy works, how it benefits businesses, and how digital transformation enables the shift to smart, sustainable manufacturing.<\/p>\n<h2>What is the circular economy?<\/h2>\n<p>The traditional manufacturing and consumption model is linear and follows these steps: take, make, consume, and waste.<\/p>\n<p>Products are manufactured with an over-reliance on primary commodities and finite resources, designed with built-in obsolescence, and have no value once they stop working.<\/p>\n<p>The linear model is solely pro-business; it encourages consumption through regular product replacement, which results in large amounts of profit.<\/p>\n<p>By contrast, the circular economy proposes a systemic approach that benefits all involved: businesses, people, and the environment.<\/p>\n<p>The circular economy has two focus areas:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To eliminate waste by keeping products and\/or their components in use for as long as possible and creating new resources from discarded materials.<\/li>\n<li>To decouple economic growth from the consumption of finite resources.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Its cyclical model flows from make to use, return, recycle, reuse, and back to make.<\/p>\n<p>The circular economy is thus a paradigm shift for manufacturers, challenging them to rethink their product designs for zero waste and infinite usefulness.<\/p>\n<p>While change does not come easily to all, companies that remain attached to the linear economic model will soon lose relevance: Gartner predicts that by 2029 the circular model will replace wasteful, linear practices and establish itself as the only economy.<\/p>\n<h2>Why is the circular economy good for business?<\/h2>\n<p>The circular economy\u2019s most direct business benefit is reputational value.<\/p>\n<p>Consumer and shareholder preferences are shifting towards sustainability \u2013 and both parties carry enormous influence in determining today\u2019s products and processes.<\/p>\n<p>By giving your customers what they want \u2013 namely sustainably manufactured products \u2013 your business will gain a substantial competitive advantage to ensure its brand relevance and resilience well into the future.<\/p>\n<p>A shift into the circular economy can futureproof your business in more ways than one.<\/p>\n<p>Current dependence on natural resources for manufacturing materials is simply unsustainable as these resources are finite. As such, they will become increasingly scarce, regulated, and expensive to procure. Applying the circular model to your manufacturing operations will boost your business\u2019s long-term profit and revenue-making potential by reducing its costly \u2013 and harmful \u2013 dependence on finite resources.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a charity working to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, the manufacturing industry could achieve between 10% and 15% cost savings on direct materials required for production.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2>Industry 4.0 and the circular economy<\/h2>\n<p>The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation is a strong supporter of Industry 4.0 to enable a high-functioning circular economy.<\/p>\n<p>These modern technologies have the power to shift the manufacturing industry from centralised, linear, costly, and inefficient processes to decentralised, smart, sustainable, and innovative production.<\/p>\n<p>In other words, the digital transformation of your business goes hand-in-hand with its shift into the circular economy; the two transitions enable and support each other.<\/p>\n<p>The proper digital infrastructure provides the platform for new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, automation, and 3D printing that enable manufacturers to design products with built-in recyclability, reusability, and remanufacturing potential.<\/p>\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<a\n\t\tclass=\"button button--primary \"\n\t\trole=\"button\"\n\t\tdata-button-location=\"content_area\"\n\t\thref=\"#\"\n\t>Download your Digital transformation in process manufacturing report<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Smart and sustainable tech<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Cloud computing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>There is a vast range of cloud solutions on offer to manufacturers.<\/p>\n<p>Essentially, moving your IT infrastructure to the cloud \u2013 or opting for a hybrid model that includes some on-site storage \u2013 provides a crucial foundation for shifting into the circular economy.<\/p>\n<p>A cloud-enabled business can harness software designed to manage its IT infrastructure, operating system, database, and applications for greater agility and visibility.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Internet of Things (IoT)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/glossary\/what-is-the-internet-of-things-iot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IoT enables<\/a> you to connect your products to the cloud for real-time analysis at any location along the supply chain.<\/p>\n<p>Advanced connectivity enhances how data is gathered, analysed, shared, and used to design, manufacture, and deliver durable and returnable products for reuse or remanufacturing.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>AI and automation<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Artificial intelligence and automation can assist the manufacturing industry\u2019s transition to the circular economy by accelerating the development of sustainable product designs and operational processes.<\/p>\n<p>Intelligent software and hardware can speed up data analysis, provide intelligent inventory management, and enhance design processes with built-in remanufacturing and recycling properties.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Robotics<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>With the assistance of intelligent machines, manufacturers can eliminate human errors in their product design and operational processes.<\/p>\n<p>The use of robots across various applications can help boost productivity, improve efficiency, reduce waste, and extend products\u2019 lifespans.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>3D printing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>3D printing produces spare parts on-demand with low environmental impact.<\/p>\n<p>This ability to extend a product\u2019s usability as and when required reduces manufacturing and operational expenses such as energy and storage costs.<\/p>\n<h2>How digital transformation supports sustainable, smart manufacturing<\/h2>\n<p>Simply put, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/dont-let-outdated-erp-send-your-company-backwards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">outdated legacy IT infrastructure cannot support Industry 4.0<\/a> and its advanced technologies.<\/p>\n<p>If your business is straddled with old tech, it will not be able to transition to more sustainable manufacturing operations.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, savvy manufacturers are embracing digital transformation to shift their operations into the circular economy.<\/p>\n<p>Next-generation software, such as intelligent ERP (iERP) systems, are specifically designed to work with modern tech to empower manufacturing operations with end-to-end visibility, smart data, agility, and speed.<\/p>\n<p>The ability of iERP to track and trace products and other materials with real-time precision along your supply chain is crucial to meeting your customers\u2019 demands for personalised attention as well as sustainably sourced and manufactured products.<\/p>\n<p>Consumers, shareholders, and regulators are pushing manufacturers to shift into the circular economy, highlighting the benefits for all involved.<\/p>\n<p>The future of manufacturing is inextricably linked with digitisation and Industry 4.0.<\/p>\n<p>Now that the technologies exist to enable a new production and consumption model that is smart and sustainable, your business can do better business that is both financially and environmentally rewarding.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Digital transformation in process manufacturing <\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>How Intelligent ERP can help close the information gap and achieve traceability across the supply chain<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-a4702fd4-0e2c-4743-a8b0-bc6d971b867d\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download your free guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1064\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-610219284-1064x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Woman using tablet\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-610219284-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><em>Editor&#8217;s note: This article was originally published in July 2021 and has been updated for relevance.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/tag\/inventory-management\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tinventory management\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/tag\/supply-chain-management\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsupply chain management\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-76318 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-trends-insights tag-accountants tag-audit tag-bookkeeping tag-inventory-management business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business business_type-accountants card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1064\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-43-1064x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-43-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-43-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-43-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-02T15:45:55+02:00\">June 2, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">17 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/abc-analysis\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWhat is ABC analysis in inventory management? Definition, steps and examples\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tKeen to make your inventory management more efficient? This guide explains ABC analysis, a vital technique for categorising inventory with the potential to impact cash flow, profitability, and overall business health.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-76100 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-accountants tag-bookkeeping tag-business-intelligence tag-cloud-financial-management tag-financial-insights tag-profit-loss tag-supply-chain-management business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business business_type-accountants\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/accounts-payable-management-best-practices\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/09\/SAGE-14-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/09\/SAGE-14-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/09\/SAGE-14-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/09\/SAGE-14-1213x810.jpg 1213w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-04-30T15:34:41+02:00\">April 30, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tAccounts payable best practices for AP management\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-70082 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-business-planning tag-business-intelligence tag-business-management tag-erp tag-supply-chain-management business_type-medium-business industry-manufacturing\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/how-manufacturers-can-unlock-value-from-the-circular-economy\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1397908026-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1397908026-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1397908026-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1397908026-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-11-24T15:14:40+02:00\">November 24, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHow manufacturers can unlock value from the circular economy\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-69251 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-erp tag-supply-chain-management business_type-medium-business industry-manufacturing\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/7-ways-to-reduce-costs-in-manufacturing\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723507317-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723507317-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723507317-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723507317-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-11-17T15:28:40+02:00\">November 17, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\t7\u00a0ways to reduce costs in manufacturing\u00a0\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-73250 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-strategy-legal-operations category-technology-innovation tag-business-intelligence tag-business-management tag-cloud tag-cloud-financial-management tag-cloud-technology tag-inventory-management tag-payment-processing tag-sales-management tag-staying-competitive business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/what-is-an-order-management-system\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/sage\/dist\/images\/placeholder-related.png\" class=\"card-post__image\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-05-29T09:00:00+02:00\">May 29, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">12 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhat is an order management system (OMS)?\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore how digital transformation drives smart, sustainable manufacturing. Learn about circular economy strategies, Industry 4.0 technologies, and the role of ERP in building resilience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1239,"featured_media":69138,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[193,212],"business_type":[3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[346],"persona":[8,9,13],"imagine_tag":[82,78,79],"coauthors":[441],"class_list":["post-69137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology-innovation","tag-inventory-management","tag-supply-chain-management","business_type-medium-business","industry-manufacturing"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-za","author_name":"Charlotte Danby","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/07\/Microplasticos_2019_SageX3_Portugal-01.jpg","imagine_tags":{"82":"Enterprise business","78":"Supply Chain Management","79":"Supply management"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice South Africa","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1239"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=69137"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69137\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/69138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69137"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=69137"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=69137"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=69137"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=69137"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=69137"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=69137"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=69137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}