FEATURE Smart factories & AI
Don’t delay in adopting disruptive technologies
T
he manufacturing industry is a tough industry, vulnerable to impacts from the economy, geo-
and pandemics, and other stresses that impact the global and local supply chains and markets. Manufacturers constantly need to seek out a distinct advantage to stay at the forefront of this competitive sector. Smart factories and the integration of
disruptive technologies are one way that manufacturers can drive growth, not just for their own companies, but across the sector. Smart manufacturing uses technological advances to improve quality, equipment It is fuelled by data, integrating information from multiple sources to provide a real-time view of business operations. Intelligence (AI) and especially the Internet of Things (IoT), are enabling smart manufacturing practices. Importantly, these technologies are growth drivers for the manufacturing industry. Smart manufacturing processes improve of traditional manufacturing, and allow manufacturers to become more agile and resilient through data-led decision making. And while completely autonomous increasing digitalisation comes with many AI and manufacturing automation technologies are contributing to decreased operational costs while improving service levels and speed in many areas of manufacturing. IIoT is connecting intelligent devices across the supply chain, creating interoperability between machines, devices, and sensors and providing a wealth of data points for manufacturers to draw from when looking for insights and analysis of their business operations. Instead of having siloes of information, IIoT devices help drive data-led decision- business. With IIoT devices providing a multitude of data points throughout the manufacturing process and the supply chain, this data can produce analytics and insights across the broader enterprise that,
30 November 2024 | Automation
Mark Wilson, CEO, SYSPRO EMEA and APAC, takes a look at how disruptive technology is driving progress in smart manufacturing processes
when applied, can make manufacturing processes run more smoothly. When this stream of real-time data is available for everyone working in the environment, it surfaces anomalies, trends patterns and developments that can be acted on. Data without analysis is not going to bring value to any business. For manufacturers, AI can already enhance production planning based on real- time data and demand forecasts, while predictive analytics can pre-empt unplanned downtime and maintenance, improve performance and increase machine uptime. AI forecasting algorithms can aid planning and scheduling and track things like seasonality and current trends. This technology can also help manufacturers optimise their production planning and scheduling using real-time data and demand forecasts. Both AI and IIoT are enablers and drivers of smart manufacturing. Using these technologies with an ERP system that provides data insights and analysis from the stream of data that IoT devices and sensors are generating, manufacturers can: • reduce costs
• minimise downtime and errors Replacing a manually-operated legacy system with increased functionality and analytics allows best practice material management throughout the company. Cloud is also an enabling technology for smart manufacturing. Cloud-based scalability, security, the ability to adopt new technologies, and exploration of new
opportunities. Cloud applications enable manufacturers to harness data from IIoT devices in their factories, inventories, performance indicators that optimise productivity and enable faster decision- making. Modern ERP systems with mobile tools enable seamless access to full system functionality via mobile devices regardless of location.
While it’s understandable that people fear that their jobs are under threat from disruptive tech like AI, it can Automation and the deployment of the enterprise, but it also frees up workers from mundane manual workloads and repetitive tasks to better use their time and expertise. However, there is a caveat – manufacturers and distributors now in data science, automation, and other digital skills and adept at soft skills like collaboration, problem solving, and customer engagement. Therefore, companies must ensure an environment of continuous learning and retraining for employees to keep pace with the skills required to function optimally in a smart factory environment. It’s important to put resources into training programmes for operating, managing and developing the technology. While this shift may cause many current jobs to change, it can also create numerous new job opportunities.
SYSPRO
eu.syspro.com
automationmagazine.co.uk
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