AI & AUTOMATION
Is artificial intelligence ( AI ) and Big Data driving the fourth industrial revolution ( Industry 4.0 )?
“ The combination of Industrial AI and data produces what we call a Process Digital Twin which helps manufacturers to rapidly troubleshoot continuous , discrete , or batch manufacturing process performance by mining insight from available sensor and production data . This technology , which utilises predictive analytics , enables users to analyse operating scenarios , qualifying the impact that operational changes will have on key performance metrics and identifying causes for performance variation . Digital Twins inspire continuous improvement , a key goal of the future of the industry by looking back to historical data as well as real time to move forward rapidly ” - Cobus Van Heerden , Senior Digital Product Manager at GE Digital
“Many manufacturers are now looking at how they plug AI and Big Data into their plans for the future ”
PHIL LEWIS VICE PRESIDENT , SOLUTION CONSULTING EMEA AT INFOR
“ We see daily increases in AI / ML uses – inventory optimisation , maintenance , faster finance processes are all key areas that we see arise many times . For this to continue , and return on investment to continue , AI needs to be plumbed in and ready to go with other systems , rather than a bolt-on , or businesses face a hefty , and costly integration project . In terms of the next specific technology , it really depends on the maturity of the individual company or project – businesses are only just reaching the point of a digital fabric rather than a bunch of digital projects . Prescriptive working , driven by AI and fed by masses of sensor data , holds a huge amount of promise for the B2B / industrial markets and we see some very encouraging early shoots in asset maintenance and field service ” - Phil Lewis , Vice President , Solution Consulting EMEA at Infor
60 June 2021