Summary: Manufacturers misdirect billions in digital transformation by prioritizing technology over people and organizational readiness. With its GainSeeker Suite and GS Premier quality software, Hertzler Systems bridges this critical gap by providing holistic manufacturing solutions that empower the workforce, build robust data foundations, ensure operational excellence, and prevent common transformation failures.
Manufacturers are pouring billions into smart technology, convinced it's the sole key to the future. Deloitte’s 2025 Smart Manufacturing Survey highlights this, with 78% of manufacturers allocating over 20% of their budgets to smart manufacturing, and 46% prioritizing process automation. The intent is clear; the excitement is real.
But at Hertzler Systems, we hold a different, critical perspective. The real disruption – and the true path to operational excellence – lies not just in the tech itself. It’s in the uncomfortable realization that foundational human and organizational readiness must come first. Many manufacturers remain fundamentally unprepared for this revolution: in their culture, their organizational structures, and crucially, in how they prepare their people.
This exposes a significant gap. Human capital consistently ranks as the least mature capability in the smart manufacturing stack. Only 48% of companies have a robust training and adoption standard, despite it being their top improvement area. This paradox explains precisely why manufacturing digital transformation fails. We often embrace the optics of AI without redesigning how we work. We discuss the future workforce without training the one we already have.
Layering expensive tech on fragile foundations built on outdated systems and assumptions only leads to wasted investment. The biggest barrier isn't budget, technology, or even talent. It’s us.
Recognizing these fundamental challenges is the crucial first step. The next step is finding a partner with proven manufacturing solutions that comprehensively address technology and foundational readiness.
This is where Hertzler Systems excels. With over 90 years of combined experience, we don't just provide software; we train manufacturers by addressing the core human and systemic issues that open up data's true potential.
Our flagship quality software, GS Premier and the GainSeeker Suite, is precisely designed to bridge this critical gap, guiding companies from basic tech investment to genuine, people-driven manufacturing excellence.
Our software directly addresses the core challenges facing manufacturers. It transforms data into a powerful asset across your entire production operation, with a clear focus on enabling human potential.
The most sophisticated technology is only as effective as the people using it. Our core belief at Hertzler Systems is that an empowered, well-trained workforce uncovers true manufacturing excellence. We directly address the uncomfortable truth revealed in surveys: the lack of human capital readiness and robust training standards.
We provide the critical support systems to ensure your team is ready and eager to adopt it. This is how we actively bridge the gap in preparing your people:
Our team has seen this occur with a client of ours. Giorgio Foods saw a massive stampede in their production line, significantly impacting uptime and efficiency. The team at Giorgio Foods didn’t understand where to start sorting the issues. They were also apprehensive about changing their production methods.
However, once they partnered with us, we trained their team and ensured that they were provided with all the necessary tools to ensure their success. In just over six weeks, they saw a 70% reduction in waste. This was purely based on their willingness to transform their production line and their keenness to implement GS Premier.
The insights from the Deloitte survey serve as a crucial wake-up call: the path to manufacturing excellence isn't solely paved with new technology. It demands a fundamental shift in how we approach our culture, organizational structures, and, most importantly, how we empower our people.
Hertzler Systems, the GainSeeker Suite, and GS Premier embody this understanding, offering the vital bridge for this journey. We provide robust operational solutions and the crucial partnership to build strong, people-centric foundations. By enabling real-time data visibility, optimizing asset utilization, controlling costs, and implementing resilient, cloud-based data systems, GainSeeker ensures your investments yield genuine, sustainable transformation.
Don't let your digital transformation efforts fall victim to overlooked human and organizational elements. Partner with Hertzler Systems to build the resilient, data-driven manufacturing operation of the future, powered by an empowered workforce. Contact us today to discover how GainSeeker or GS Premier can empower your team and unlock true operational excellence in manufacturing.
Reviewed by Phil Mason, MBA (31 July 2025): Phil has been the VP of Business Development at Hertzler Systems Inc. since January 2010. Previously, Phil was an Adjunct Professor at Green Mountain College (until Jun 2018), Associate Professor at Goshen College, Executive Director Adult/Graduate Programs at Goshen College (Jul 2015-Dec 2016), Assistant Professor at Bethel College (from Aug 2011), Business Development at Digitec, Inc. (Oct 2008-Nov 2010), Regional VP at Mennonite Mutual Aid (Sep 2001-Feb 2008), and General Manager at Ikon Technology Services (from Jan 1999).
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