OPERATIONS
“ INSTEAD OF HANDLING TASK-LEVEL EXECUTION, AUTONOMY OPERATES AT THE SYSTEM LEVEL”
Bob Buttermore Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer Rockwell Automation
within set limits to adjust operations, maintenance and production in real time – is a journey. To get there, manufacturers must progress step by step.
Manufacturers can get there with software-defined architecture, which maximises flexibility and agility by bringing application design independent from underlying hardware choices. This enables systems that can self-organise and self-optimise to create the foundation for AI to move freely across the enterprise. Manufacturers also need to start with their people. By engaging teams early in the process, they can understand their workflows before selecting technology.
Lastly, we need to shift the economics of the transformation. Instead of solely focusing on reducing costs, manufacturers should measure their operational agility. The ability to instantly respond to volatility, ensure availability and build resilience are important factors that will impact long-term success. Manufacturing leaders should view fully autonomous manufacturing through a long-term lens, with leadership actively executing strategies that will take years to mobilise. manufacturingdigital. com 77