Many manufacturers today are getting caught on the wrong side of a technology adoption wave that is quickly gaining momentum. Of the more than 200 surveyed manufacturers 54% are planning on adopting MI (Manufacturing Intelligence) within the next 24 months. Additionally, 56% of manufacturers having already implemented MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) did so within the past two years. Moving forward, it is important that manufacturers embrace technology in order to either solidify or gain competitive advantages. However, in the many fast paced, low-margin, environments that make up the manufacturing industry it is crucial that manufacturers do not adopt technology for technology's sake. This benchmark is a roadmap for reducing overall manufacturing costs through the utilization of manufacturing technologies.