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INDUSTRY 4.0/IIOT STAY ON TRACK USING RTLS TECHNOLOGY
Steven Manifold, Chief Marketing Officer, Ubisense, explains how IoT technology can help manufacturers resolve crippling economic and
operational challenges I
t is no secret that manufacturers around the world have been put under great financial pressure in the last few years. From the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, which led to factories closing, through government-enforced lockdowns, to the ongoing energy crisis. During this turbulent period, manufacturers have had to make tough decisions as they desperately try to succeed on three fronts: remaining profitable, meeting customer expectations and evolving with the latest technological advancements.
IoT technology can play a significant role in helping manufacturers achieve these objectives, and these last few years have shown how imperative it is for technology providers to work alongside organisations to better understand their needs and challenges. We recently surveyed aerospace,
automotive and defence
manufacturers, across Europe, North America and Asia, and found that nearly two- thirds (62%) of business leaders have adopted IoT in their assembly processes – an increase from 44% in 2021. Yet, despite this, we still found that many organisations are suffering from poor real-time visibility of their operations and failing to identify how to best optimise their processes. When you combine these operational
technology, such as RTLS, delivers shorter cycle times, increases the quality of output and eliminates errors
“
backdrop is causing turmoil. Investing in IoT
When we spoke with manufacturers, they revealed that supply chain disruption, employment shortages and inflation are causing their biggest financial headaches. Following the pandemic, operations have returned to some semblance of normality, but since then many have been hampered by the recent rise in costs, leaving some manufacturers feeling uncertain about when it will be right to further invest in IoT solutions.
manufacturers to consider that their financial headaches and potential ”
inefficiencies with numerous economic difficulties, manufacturers are facing a tough challenge. While some of the economic factors are outside of manufacturers’ control, investing in and adopting IoT solutions, like real-time location-based systems (RTLS), can put the power back into organisations’ hands.
Investing in IoT technology, such as RTLS, helps to deliver shorter cycle times, increase the quality of output and eliminate errors. However, achieving these goals becomes a challenge when the current economic
32 SEPTEMBER 2023 | PROCESS & CONTROL
operational efficiencies are not mutually exclusive.
While the adoption of IoT technology in manufacturing processes is on the rise, more than a third of organisations still face operational challenges, according to our research. This could be down to a lack of correct implementation of RTLS solutions, or a lack of investment compared to other IoT technology. For instance, 44% of manufacturers say they use RTLS but 36% admit that they struggle to find factory floor supplies in their daily operations. These include tools, equipment, parts, and materials, which are all vital resources that are now costing more to make and acquire.
Using the UK as an example, the average manufacturer potentially wastes £2,441 per
However, our research found that more than three-quarters (76%) of manufacturers are now more likely to invest in IoT because of the current economic situation. With this
willingness to invest in mind, it is important for
year looking for things and more than a third (35%) of organisations reported that
things frequently happen in the wrong sequence or take longer than planned. Such difficulties lead to wasted materials and time, as well as a potential loss in revenue. The lack of visibility highlights the urgent need for manufacturers to engage with RTLS providers. Investment in such technology may be daunting but, with the right support, manufacturers should be exploring their options now so they can save in the long term. More than a third of manufacturers (36%) told us that they frequently can’t measure the efficiency of their operations, suggesting that their inefficiencies are causing losses, regardless of financial factors. The current economic climate means it has never been more essential to invest in technology to improve operations and reduce waste. Organisations are struggling to assert themselves in what is a very temperamental climate, leaving them in a catch-22 situation. If they do not have the necessary visibility of their operations to identify areas of waste and inefficiency, they cannot access the information that would help them understand why RTLS would solve those issues. The first step in resolving this dilemma is to open a dialogue about RTLS technology both internally and externally. Once stakeholders recognise which areas of the manufacturing process need support, they can make the business case for investing in IoT and RTLS solutions. This technology improves processes, and also helps to deliver operational efficiencies and better financial stability.
Ubisense
ubisense.com
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