Big Data

Manufacturing organizations are implementing more analytics capabilities than ever before with the hopes of leveraging insights from their machines, people, and processes to drive positive outcomes that ultimately drive revenues. Unfortunately, simply connecting your machines, extracting that data, and then hoping for the best will set you up to fail.

Any piece of manufacturing software has within it, an element of a digital twin. This has always been the case, as computer applications by definition, work with data that represents physical things or events, using the data to perform tasks which after computation, influence the physical world. The limitation of any digital twin solution in the market therefore, is exactly the same as for a computerized solution. The better the data, the better the capability and the result.

Today too many companies are focused on the acquisition of data in the hopes that the data will create value. Industry 4.0 examines more than the simple internal machine stoppages. Industry 4.0 is focused on the analysis of time intervals in which there is zero data because the equipment or process is not actually working.

For anyone currently considering investment in a modern digital manufacturing solution, inclusive of any form of discrete assembly manufacturing, it is imperative that expectations and requirements are redefined in the light of this new IIoT.

Many software systems in use in manufacturing today are holding the business to ransom. Well-meaning, mainly internally developed software utilities, have established a critical dependency on themselves.

This time last year, many people, including myself, were confident that 2017 would be the year of shop-floor IoT communication. While progress has been strong, 2018 looks more realistic for practical application of IoT in manufacturing.

Manufacturers face critical demands to uphold regulatory compliance while driving customer value. Moving from a manual tracking system to an automated MES offers quality control and the flexibility to respond to changes in real time.

Aegis CEO Jason Spera sits down with SCOOPTalk’s Kim Sauer to discuss how AR and AI fit within the Industry 4.0 road map, and how AR and AI might enable humans to make sense of ̶ and manage ̶ tomorrow’s truly ‘Big Data’ in the factory.

As we look back on 2016, it’s only natural to reflect on what’s ahead for global manufacturing in the coming year. Let’s take a look at the top manufacturing trends for 2017.

Before you invest in a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for your facility, you need to consider how easily and efficiently it will be deployed throughout your operation, and what the long-term relationship with your vendor will be like.

The #MondayMusings blog series provides executive level insights and analysis for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Digital Transformation from the previous week’s briefings, events, and publications @LNSResearch.

Last week in Las Vegas the electronics industry gathered to explore the latest developments, while there were the usual growths as products are getting faster, more efficient and cheaper, there was little revolution except in IoM.

The first industrial revolution was built on machines lubricated by oil, the current revolution is built on computers lubricated by data.

Trends around IoM (Internet of Manufacturing) and Industry 4.0 are all largely focused on operations but where does the potential lie for big data within the supply chain?

I’m back in San Jose after CES and thought I’d put down a few thoughts on this year’s exhibition floor, keynotes and presentations.

Taking a big data approach is a change of mindset. In real terms it is all about viewing big data as the means to drive manufacturing excellence through an entire workflow, where traceability becomes a valuable byproduct rather than a cost.

When a manufacturing enterprise adopts a Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) system capable of managing the entire scope of operations, traceability is no longer something an enterprise strives to achieve, it is a byproduct…

Since the start of the year and my visit to CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas I, along with most of the industry, have been talking about this new sector and the potential it holds.

Remember a few years ago when geek became chic? No, me neither, but apparently it did, and programmers became cool and among the best paid people in Silicon Valley.

What is the Internet of Manufacturing (IoM) and why should we care about it?

Customisation has thus far always been the prerogative of a select few involving a time-intensive process with a complex, fragmented and costly supply chain.