The state of Indiana has made several strides in recent years to improve its standings as a key place for companies to set up a business. Now, according to a new report, it's starting to gain a place among the top areas of the country.

Conexus Indiana's 2014 Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card was released this week and shows that for the fourth year in a row, the state has earned an "A" for its manufacturing and logistics sector. This factors into helping the Hoosier state become one of the leaders in the nation when it comes to the highest share of manufacturing employment per capita and the highest manufacturing sector income share of total income.

The report was also prepared by Ball State University's Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER).  According to Michael Hicks, CBER director and Ball State economics professor, Indiana's growth in economic activity continues to be "relatively robust." The data used to create the study is conclusive evidence of the competitive edge that the state has in the post-recession economy when compared to neighboring states and the rest of the country.

The state also showed strength in several other key business areas. This includes an "A" grade for tax climate and a showing in the top 20 percent of all states when it comes to income tax, sales tax, unemployment insurance and property tax for fiscal year 2014. The ability for companies in Indiana to do business around the globe also earned an "A" grade for the sixth consecutive year.

One of the only major areas of concern is the human capital sector. While the state did increase the grade from a D to a C- and improved worker benefits costs from a C- to a C, it is still among the bottom 10 percent in terms of percentage population with a bachelor's degree.

Steven Dwyer, the president and CEO of Conexus Indiana, was interviewed in a recent article for Inside Indiana Business and spoke about this topic. He said that there has been a substantial shift when it comes to fostering talent with middle-skills necessary to succeed in a landscape that is using more advanced manufacturing software and logistics solutions. This area is important because a stronger workforce can help create a better and more stable state economy.

He added that there is recognition that the manufacturing jobs of the future will be much different from what is used today. That is why employees need to start learning about them to get ready.

"We must redouble our efforts in preparing students for careers in manufacturing," Dwyer said. "While we're moving in the right direction, there's no doubt we must continue building the educational resources to create a pipeline of trained workers ready to step into not only newly-created middle-skill jobs, but those that will soon be vacated by the retiring 'baby boom' generation."

Being prepare for the latest business management software is not easy and can be a hurdle for any organization that finds trying to adapt. With the help of a solution provider, any company can gain a hand when it comes to deploying these system successfully and training employees to use them.