FEATURE Smart factories & AI Smart strategies for success
Chris Iveson, CEO, FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics, outlines five key approaches to help ensure your investment in digital technologies is a success
T
echnology adoption is accelerating in manufacturing as producers of all sizes turn to new digital tools that enhance visibility and productivity on the shop floor.
Research from business ISP Beaming revealed in FourJaw’s Digital Excellence in Manufacturing report that more than half of the UK manufacturers already use multiple enabling technologies such as AI, automation, data analytics, and cloud computing. Another third are currently transforming themselves with new technology.
While cloud computing has made smart factory technologies more accessible, mass adoption has accompanied growing awareness that digital tools present the most cost-effective means of adding capacity and tackling the big three challenges of inflation, energy prices and skills shortages. Done right, technology adoption can be transformative. We see proactive manufacturers typically achieving output capacity increases of up to 30 per cent and productivity improvements worth 10 per cent within a year of introducing data analytics to help assess productivity and target improvement initiatives.
But success is not guaranteed. Almost half of manufacturers questioned by Gartner for its 2024 Tech Trends Survey expressed regret over technology purchases, citing higher-than-expected costs, implementation issues and insufficient functionality. FourJaw conducted research to understand the
approaches manufacturers are taking to ensure investment in digital technologies is successful, and identified five key principles: 1. Solve problems, not tech trends.
Implementing new tools in manufacturing is easier than ever, but diving in and deploying technology without a solid understanding of its goals often results in tools that fail to deliver the anticipated benefits. The key is to start with a problem hurting your business and identify the right technology to solve that problem. That provides the focus required and allows an objective assessment of success. 2. Take your time to plan and implement, and be prepared to adapt.
Focusing on long-term goals is tempting, but real
progress comes from setting short-term targets. Doing so lets you start mapping out a clear, actionable roadmap.
Then, it’s about methodically planning your implementation and constantly reassessing your progress and objectives.
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3. Start small with some quick wins, then expand gradually.
Nothing kills technology initiatives like over- ambition. Moving too fast too soon creates risk, wastes resources and causes projects to grind to a halt. Smart manufacturers focus on quick wins first, such as boosting productivity and reducing energy use in a small number of manufacturing cells or production lines.
Many successful installations begin with a modest rollout, allowing the team to get comfortable with the new process. Over time, this phased approach helps demonstrate the broader benefits and facilitates a smoother rollout across the entire shop floor.
4. Empower employees with technology, don’t replace them. Often, the difference between the success and
failure of smart factory initiatives comes down to how willing people are to embrace new ways of working. Introducing new technology can be nerve-racking, particularly when employees fear for their jobs. The key is to use technology to empower your workforce, not replace it. When introducing automation in one area, reassign affected employees to more valuable roles elsewhere in the business.
5. Measure productivity objectively and consistently.
The adage about managing what you can
measure is truer today than ever. Manufacturers need to measure their operations objectively to know if they are doing well and what needs improving. Analysis to identify common bottlenecks or precisely how quickly and efficiently people perform a particular process is incredibly valuable to direct improvement activities and inform investment decisions in areas such as automation.
CONTACT:
FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics
fourjaw.com
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Automation | October 2024 39
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