Article 4 – from a series of 5 – From June issue, NZ Manufacturer magazine www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz

-Frank Phillips, Director,  Fulcrum

Article 4: The Significance of Systems in Industry 4.0 and Automation

Welcome to the next part of our Industry 4.0 series for SME manufacturer.

We’re exploring various companies that can help you embrace advanced technologies and optimize your operations. Today’s focus: Manufacturing Systems. Let’s dive in and see how they can drive your business success.

Systems: The Backbone of Modern Manufacturing

In the dynamic landscape of Industry 4.0, systems are the backbone that supports and streamlines manufacturing operations. These companies specialize in providing software solutions such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management Systems), APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling), and various other tools designed to solve challenges and manage processes more effectively.

Think of them as the digital frameworks that enable smooth and efficient manufacturing processes.

Streamlining Operations: How Systems Add Value

Manufacturers often grapple with issues like disjointed processes, lack of visibility, and inefficient resource management. Engaging a systems provider can address these challenges by implementing software solutions that integrate and optimize various aspects of manufacturing operations.

By leveraging these systems, manufacturers can achieve better coordination, real-time visibility, and enhanced decision-making capabilities.

Implementing Success: Typical Engagement and Resource Requirements

The journey with a systems provider typically begins with a comprehensive assessment of your existing processes and systems.

This phase involves site visits, technical evaluations, and collaborative discussions to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement. The systems provider then establishes to what extent their solution meets requirements, the optimal configuration and any customisation that might be required.

Expect to allocate internal resources, including IT personnel, process engineers, and operations managers, to work closely with the systems provider. The engagement would typically take several months.

Pre-requisites include having a clear inventory of existing systems and a vision for how you want them to work together.

Red Flags: Key Considerations

When engaging systems providers, be aware of how much process change introducing a new system will have, building customisations to match your current ways of working sounds sensible to engage the team, but can cause challenges for maintenance and upgrades in the future.

Any disparity between how system workflows and your existing processes work should cause us to ask whether it’s our process that needs to change, not the system.

Some other considerations are: the scalability, compatibility, and user-friendliness of the proposed solutions. Ask questions like:

• How do you handle data integration from different sources?
• What measures are in place to ensure data security and privacy?
• How user-friendly are the interfaces and reporting tools?

Structuring the Deal: Commercial Arrangements

Commercial arrangements with systems providers can vary. Some might offer fixed-price contracts for defined projects, while others may provide subscription models for ongoing software licensing and support. It’s important to establish clear milestones, deliverables, and timelines in your contract.

Negotiate service-level agreements (SLAs) that ensure ongoing support and maintenance post-implementation.

Final Thoughts: The Digital Foundation

In conclusion, systems providers play a critical role in the successful implementation of Industry 4.0 and automation technologies.

Their expertise in delivering software solutions that integrate and optimise manufacturing processes can transform your operations, leading to improved efficiency, real-time visibility, and better decision-making.

Partnering with the right systems provider can help you build a solid digital foundation and achieve your Industry 4.0 goals. Which will be the topic of our next article in this series – how to select / optimise business systems.

www.Fulcrumnz.com