DIGITAL MANUFACTURING TRANSFORMATION

(INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANUFACTURERS)

Graham Immerman, David Westrom,
MachineMetrics, Northampton, Massachusetts, United States

DOI: 10.36724/2664-066X-2022-8-6-25-32

SYNCHROINFO JOURNAL. Volume 8, Number 6 (2022). P. 25-32.

Abstract

The digital thread represents the origination, flow, and consumption of data through machines, people, and systems across the enterprise of a manufacturer. In this paper, we explore unique manufacturing use cases and business opportunities derived from, and driven by, the digital thread and enabling technologies, with machine asset data as the cornerstone. The digital thread connects the various processes, entities, actions, and decisions
across a company’s supply chain through data and data relationships, helping to ensure an organization runs efficiently and in unison. By stitching together critical product information with digital assets across the full product lifecycle, a digital thread empowers manufacturing companies to drive continuous improvement and innovative new business processes and models. The benefits of data-driven manufacturing are far too significant to ignore and will enable many to deliver competitive advantages in an ever-competitive landscape. Digital transformation is about changing business models and about companies not just taking advantage of the huge opportunities created by these latest technologies but also preparing for their constant evolution. Amid the hype surrounding Industry 4.0, IIOT, and digital transformation, the introduction of Industry 4.0 has caused a bit of a culture shock for manufacturers. To build a roadmap to digital transformation, most companies are looking into the future, attempting to visualize where they want or need to be in twenty years, and planning backwards. However, a great deal of hesitancy exists for many manufacturers to embrace the technology and modernization that solves these new challenges.

Keywords: Industry 4.0, IIOT, Manufacturing’s industrial iot platform

References

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[2] David Westrom, Graham Immerman. Weaving the manufacturing digital thread. machinemetrics.com.
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Information about authors:
Graham Immerman, responsible for global marketing at MachineMetrics. Graham has spent the majority of his career working at global marketing firms to craft successful digital transformation strategies for brands like Adidas, H&RBlock, and Starbucks. He has quickly become a thought-leader on IIoT technology for the manufacturing industry.
David Westrom, responsible for global business development at MachineMetrics. Dave has spent much of his career in executive team roles at innovative Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) companies. He has led business development organizations and driven strategy at three IIoT start-ups that experienced successful exits, including most recently ThingWorx (acquired by PTC) and Lighthammer (acquired by SAP).