Using data and analytics to create a more effective and smarter factory

Using data and analytics to create
a more effective and smarter factory

Using data and analytics is much more important than just promoting commercial success. It’s about determining the right steps to improve both business-critical processes and the working environments of your people. Something needed now more than ever.

So, the decision for business leaders isn’t if they should be using data, but how?

How data can increase savings and reduce waste

Imagine a production line where supply exactly matches demand. Where everything happens as efficiently as possible. So material and labour usage is perfectly optimised and nothing is left to waste.

This is the ultimate goal of data and analytics when it comes to productivity. By compiling metrics on all of your factory’s key variables, business leaders can make decisions at an exceptionally detailed level.

Even the smallest of improvements can lead to considerable savings in time and money.

How data can empower your people

It isn’t just your machines and processes that can be greatly improved through data and analytics. They can improve the productivity of your people and create smarter and safer workplaces too.

Through data, you can manage your workforce much more effectively. Predicting what resourcing you will need based on the output required.

You can also accurately designate resources on even an hourly basis – meaning you never have too many people on one job, and no one person ever feels like they don’t have enough support.

How data can help predict costs

Data can create an incredibly clear picture of your entire manufacturing business – especially when it comes to cost.

Accurately cost every item produced in your factory, from material costs and components, right through to energy, labour and storage. Then make precise and confident business decisions when it comes to planning and cost optimisation.

Four things to consider when
planning for the future of data

New and improved methods and technologies that use data
and analytics to improve the commercial prospects of an organisation
are continually being introduced.

If you choose to take greater advantage of data for your business,
here are some of the latest features to look out for:

Real-time machine optimisation

An innovation that uses telemetry to collect data from machines in real-time. Those machines can then be adjusted live – as they’re running – to ensure optimum performance and overall product quality.

What is telemetry?

The automatic measurement and transmission of data from remote or inaccessible sources. It could be used to remotely collect and apply data from a set of remote sensors for example.

Automated cost reduction

Using data and machine learning to make accurate predictions that allow for improvements in efficiency – even the most minuscule of which can lead to huge savings.

Predictive maintenance

Data also enables AI solutions to accurately predict when a machine is likely to fail, scheduling repairs automatically to minimise downtime.