In manufacturing, the digital transformation process, known as Industry 4.0 is all about enhancing productivity. Better technology has a ripple effect across the entire manufacturing domain, including improving production, enhancing operations and spurring innovation. At the same time, a successful transition is about more than just adopting new technology; it’s about understanding what’s involved in the process and being aware of any barriers that may stall progress.
What’s Involved in a Digital Transformation?
Moving to Industry 4.0 means having an interconnected ecosystem where machines, people and systems can communicate seamlessly. Technologies like AI and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are offering manufacturers unparalleled insights along with the ability to gather, analyze and act on relevant data in real-time.
Virtual Twin, MOM and Data-Driven Decision-Making
Advanced simulation tools such as DELMIA’s Virtual Twin technology gives manufacturers a cost-effective way to create digital replicas of various production processes. By simulating different scenarios digitally, manufacturers can avoid bottlenecks, reduce errors, and predict potential machinery failures before they have a ripple-effect on the production line.
With this in mind, manufacturers must have a baseline from which to see how their current production process is being handled. That means taking advantage of detailed Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) solutions. With this powerful technology, companies can have both a broad and granular view into production, quality control and performance, turning the manufacturing process into a smooth, end-to-end solution that delivers real-time results.
All of these digitally-upgraded processes in turn lend themselves to more informed, data-driven decision-making. Through the use of advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, factories can improve production schedules, better allocate resources and manage their supply chains more effectively.
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Common Barriers to a Successful Digital Transformation
Despite several advantages, there are still inherent challenges to making the leap to a digital transformation in manufacturing. Here are some of the most common obstacles:
Resistance to Change
Employees and management may hesitate to buy in to the new digital transformation on account of the fear of job displacement, a lack of technical skills or uncertainty surrounding the benefits that the change brings. Being transparent in your communication can help address these issues. In addition, at D4M International, we provide comprehensive training to manufacturers who take advantage of our Industry 4.0 implementations, including integrating DELMIA Apriso.
Integration with Legacy Systems
Many manufacturers still rely on outdated legacy systems that are not compatible with modern solutions. Using a phased integration approach can help gradually bring on new technologies while bridging the gap between old and new technologies. Incorporating the use of middleware and other interoperability solutions can help maintain the production flow without sacrificing speed or quality.
Data Privacy and Security Concerns
Manufacturers are right to be concerned about the risk of cyber threats and data breaches. By taking advantage of powerful cybersecurity measures such as network encryption, multi-factor authentication and ongoing monitoring, it’s possible to protect sensitive data and maintain compliance with local and industry regulations while taking advantage of the latest in digital manufacturing technology.
Lack of Standardization and Interoperability
One of the greatest barriers to digital transformation adoption is the lack of standardization across different manufacturing systems. At D4M International, we help manufacturers of all sizes set clear standards alongside universal communication protocols that follow industry regulations, opening the doors for long-term scalability that works with your existing infrastructure. No matter how complex the system, we can help you improve and enhance your operations with the latest that today’s technology has to offer.
How Can DELMIA Solutions Support the Digital Transformation?
DELMIA helps manufacturers overcome these common barriers by giving them the tools needed to make the digital transition efficient and easy. For example, the proper DELMIA implementation delivers:
- Virtual Twin Experiences – The ability to simulate digital production processes for more optimized processes and predictive maintenance alerts.
- Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) – Enables real-time monitoring and improved operations by providing a comprehensive view of operations from the factory floor to quality assurance and beyond.
- Planning and Optimization (ORTEMS) – Improve production scheduling and allocate resources more efficiently and fully while reducing costs.
This complete suite of digital manufacturing solutions provides an end-to-end transition to Industry 4.0 while helping your enterprise sidestep the most common challenges along the way.
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Trust D4M International to Handle Your Digital Transformation
As a respected leader in the manufacturing world, D4M International has helped hundreds of manufacturers embrace Industry 4.0 with truly cutting-edge, powerful, and comprehensive solutions. We optimize manufacturing and operations for optimal performance using both SAP and DELMIA solutions, and our consultants combine shopfloor process expertise with unparalleled technical knowledge.
We’re proud to bring over 20 years of business experience and more than100 completed implementations to the table, delivering projects on time, on budget, and to spec. Our experience encompasses a wide range of industries, from automotive to pharmaceutical, aviation to food and beverage. Our services include:
- Advanced Manufacturing Solutions – Our varied experience across a wide range of industries makes us the best choice to help you assess, deploy and maintain integrations and digital transformation upgrades that can impact your bottom line.
- DELMIA Solutions – Including manufacturing operations management (MOM), execution and monitoring (APRISO) and planning and optimization (ORTEMS).
- Strategic IT Services – Professional staffing to support your manufacturing goals and business performance.
We invite you to learn more about our best-in-class services and approach by reading our comprehensive case studies, with manufacturers ranging from automotive technology leaders to acoustic and thermal management. Read more on our blog about the many advantages of embracing the digital transformation and gain all of the benefits of a fully-equipped, modern manufacturing system.
READ MORE: REVOLUTIONIZING MANUFACTURING WITH INTEGRATED MES AND MOM SYSTEMS
