Finishing - January-February 2020

AUTOMATION 39
Linking data from the sensor to the enterprise
resource planning (ERP) system, intelligent
software that has been specifically developed
with vertical integration in mind can provide
operators with a clear visualization of how to
use vertical data.
Speaking of data
Trends like vertical integration prove that
data is an invaluable asset for manufacturers.
According to a 2017 IBM study, 90 per cent
of data available at the time of the study was
created in the last two years. An ever-growing
amount of data is being extracted from
manufacturing processes, providing important
information about quality, maintenance, and
process optimization.
Unfortunately, many of today's solutions
offer little flexibility in the collection, evaluation
and analysis of these data points. If the
information from production processes cannot
be properly evaluated and used,
manufacturers are unable to reap the benefits.
In 2020, automated reporting and analytics
functions must become standard. This
technology is no longer a luxury, but is now
essential to allow for effective interpretation,
turning data into valuable information and
providing important insights for process
improvement.
Strengthening security in
heterogeneous technologies
Production today is an integration of many
heterogeneous technologies developed using
different standards. While most manufacturers
are aware of the security needs of increasingly
smart factories, the presence of multiple
communication standards on the factory floor
can make security a complicated task.
To ensure machines, sensors and software
systems can communicate effectively in the
long term, choosing one software platform
that can communicate across all platforms is
beneficial. Furthermore, manufacturers should
not overlook the need for this software to
uphold the same security standards as
information technology — encrypting
communications, ensuring binaries are signed
and developing regular updates.
It’s clear that software will play a significant role
in the future of production automation and could
be a main driver of Industry 4.0 for the next
decade. Data collection certainly isn’t a new
practice for manufacturers, but what they choose
to do with this data is set to change.
From SMEs to large corporations,
implementing cutting edge software should be
a priority, no matter the size of the business.
Manufacturers should focus on selecting
technology carefully, focusing on scalable
platforms that are easy to understand and
implement.
Looking forward to 2020, digitalization
should be approached in a practical manner —
ultimately a steady, incremental transformation
is better than a failed one.
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siebec_half page_j-f2020.indd 1 13/01/2020 14:22
Finishing – January/February 2020