Global manufacturing is a rapidly evolving world, involving technology that’s changing each and every day. Adapting to the new technology is just one way to stay current and compete worldwide.
A PricewaterhouseCoopers report shows that “32 percent of manufacturers in the region are planning to have established mature digital ecosystems in the next five years”. This figure is higher than the growth in both the Americas as well as the EMEA at 24 and 15 percent respectively.
IIOT connects all the aspects of the manufacturing process and every stage. In order to effectively manage a plant floor, it is imperative to know each intricacy, process, and data point in real-time. By utilizing IIOT to enable the devices and environments within the plant floor, the warehouse can utilize data and analysis to see all the pieces and parts of the entire business.
A Zebra study states that fully-connected workforces are expected to triple to 46 percent by 2022. Connected devices such as mobile computers, barcode scanners, radio-frequency identification (RFID) readers, wearable watches, sensors, and shelf beacons are just a few of the many ways that technology is being used in this space. The devices will help to improve accuracy and optimize workflow of the plant floor overall.
Another solution that can be utilized to increase productivity is to use a smart manufacturing system. This would allow you to get full scale visibility to your shop floor. This type of solution enables tracking of each item and shipment throughout the entire process. It also allows for identification of inefficiencies throughout the process. By identifying those areas requiring improvement, you’ll become more agile in updating, changing, and adapting for more efficiency.
Additionally, manufacturers will continue to invest in technology to automate the processes within the plant floor and increase accuracy in the output of the plant.
The automated systems also gather data from the machines, which are more reliable and reduce human error in gathering information from the system. By reducing errors, and automating the processes, the plant will have real-time analysis of operations and run at optimal level.
Implementing technology for plant floor visibility will reduce inefficiencies, waste, and increase productivity overall.
By utilizing connected devices and investing in technology, the overall plan will obtain real-time analysis and data to be able to adapt and change -- thus ensuring the plant is working at optimal levels.