July 2021 MiMfg Magazine 17
Business Solutions Inc ., a Michigan-based IT consulting firm .
In order for manufacturers to recognize the risk areas and opportunities for improvement , connecting and integrating systems is a first step in developing more understanding about operations . Once systems are connected and data can be collected , that ’ s when analysis can take place to help manufacturers make more informed strategic decisions .
Start small . It ’ s about taking one step at a time to ensure that investments will create a cost savings to pay for the next step .
— Robert Scipione , Applications Engineer , The Center
Accessing the right data is crucial for understanding key metrics such as Overall Equipment Effectiveness ( OEE ), according to Dave Poggi , CEO and Principal Consultant for Software InsITe . Trying to solve and account for inefficiencies in certain machines and processes is a very common issue for many of InsITe ’ s clients .
“ Typically , we ’ ll hear that a machine can produce X parts per hour and they ’ re only getting 65 percent of that . So , what ’ s happening here ?” says Poggi .
“ We ’ ll be able to connect relatively simple IoT devices , and from there we ’ ll be able to see how many strokes per minute ... know what parts are running , see the production rates and so on . And we ’ re not doing anything fancy , but it ’ s huge to have this data and be able to understand what ’ s actually happening on your shop floor .”
Connecting systems can also improve workflow from the front office to the shop floor , especially with latest generation of Enterprise Resource Planning ( ERP ) platforms which are better equipped than ever to help integrate business processes through software and technology . Worthington points out that efficiencies can be realized with non-productionrelated areas of the business such as accounting , human resources and IT management but it ’ s difficult to realize those gaps without some level of systems integration .
Driving the Future with IoT
The Internet of Things ( IoT ) describes systems and machines , outfitted with sensors that are able to talk to one another and optimize in real time . It ’ s a newer area that has enabled businesses to improve efficiency , increase revenue and improve workflows , which are just some of the benefits .
At the Piston Group , a large automotive supplier that has grown to nearly $ 3 billion in