The selection of a manufacturing intelligence system should not be based on choosing the software system that has the most features. It should be based on picking out the software system that will work best with the business process that you have. An enterprise-level solution may suit a big automotive manufacturing company. A simpler solution might be best suited for a mid-sized manufacturer that needs a quicker and more manageable solution. It all boils down to the problems that you are currently facing and your plans.
What is the Role of the Manufacturing Intelligence Platform?
Manufacturing companies tend to have sufficient data already; however, the issue lies in the fact that the data is scattered throughout various systems. Performance data, production plans, quality control data, inventory, maintenance, and other types of data may be available in different places. A manufacturing intelligence platform integrates the data to provide the teams with a more detailed understanding of what is going on within their operations. The objective is clear: to allow teams to identify any potential problems and address them before something serious happens.
Identify Your Biggest Operational Problems
Before comparing any vendors, first examine how you work now. Consider:
- Where is your team wasting time every day?
- What are the decisions that are delayed due to inaccessible information?
- Is it machine downtime, planning, quality, or resource allocation creating the greatest challenges?
- How would you define success a year from now?
- This will help you determine which capabilities are the most important.
The Actual Features That Matter
- System Integration
There is no need for you to change your entire technology stack just to reap the benefits of a manufacturing intelligence solution. Consider a solution that will allow you to have connectivity and integration of your system by non-invasive means.
- Real-Time Monitoring
An ideal platform would give you much more than just what happened yesterday. It would enable you to know what is going on currently, how your performance has changed, and what may happen tomorrow. This could include detection of machine problems that repeat, performance of production, or other issues that can cause downtime.
- Planning and Management of Resources
The manufacturing environment is always changing. The machines go down, material supply gets delayed, and priorities get altered. Having AI business automation software that helps change production plans and resources according to these changing environments can save a team much time.
- Actionable Analytics
Data itself is not enough. The best systems make sure that the right people are notified about the data, suggest what to do next, or initiate the correct process. The aim is to minimize the time lag between identifying the issue and acting on it.
How to Choose the Right Vendor?
While evaluating platforms, look at value.
- Test your vendor through a real scenario. Have vendors demonstrate how they would use the platform in addressing a real problem that you have in your factory.
- Look at time to value. If the implementation of a platform would take several years, then maybe that is not the way to go.
- Talk to other manufacturers. The reference customer who has an identical operation will help you gain more insight than a big company that has totally different requirements.
- Consider the post-implementation support. Implementation is just the first step. Learn about the kind of support provided after implementation.
Connecting Manufacturing Systems for Smarter Growth
The addition of different tools for each process will increase data silos.
Your production planning software might be unable to interact with your quality management software. Your machine monitoring tool might not integrate with your maintenance processes. For scaling manufacturers, there can be simplification by having an integrated approach. For instance, the AbelOps ecosystem would provide the link between operational intelligence and other domains like workforce management and transportation operations. On the other hand, the Workforce Training Platform could assist manufacturers in equipping their employees with the necessary skills as the technological landscape changes.
Choosing a Platform That Drives Better Decisions
Ultimately, selecting a manufacturing intelligence platform is an operational decision rather than a technical choice. An ideal manufacturing intelligence platform will:
- Be compatible with your current operation
- Work with your existing systems
- Add value early on
- Enable rapid decision-making by your teams
- Scale with your growing organization
The best platform isn’t always the one with the most features or dashboards. It is the platform that enables your teams to convert manufacturing data into effective decisions before it’s too late.
Frequently Asked Questions
A manufacturing intelligence platform links data, assets, and processes associated with manufacturing to give a holistic view of manufacturing performance.
An ERP or MES is designed for managing business transactions and executing manufacturing operations. The manufacturing intelligence platform, on the other hand, is used for consolidating data from various sources.
It is influenced by the platform and the pre-existing infrastructure. The solutions that have realistic and non-invasive connectivity can start generating benefits after a few weeks, while an enterprise deployment may take more time.
Consider what is causing the biggest friction at the moment, both workflow and decision-making. This will help you assess platforms.