SME Support for Adopting Digital Technology
Dr Mark Swift
Starting the journey
What does i4.0 mean to SMEs…Isn't this just common sense?Digital is the glue, useful to get the basics right e.g. Lean techniquesIt must address your business questions – winning new business; where is it; operations; future business models; value from data and connectivity?
Be wary of the challenges / barriers:Skills… Time… Resources… Infrastructure… Return Of Investment…
Three levels:Supporting existing (manufacturing) operationsFuture services and business modelsConnecting supply chains
Wickens: Supporting existing manufacturing operations
Manufacture heavy duty racking systems - cars, boats, steel rolls
Used lean techniques = low throughput, bottlenecks time traps
Digital manufacturing retro fit solution:
Open-source platforms (Arduino, Raspberry Pi), industrial grade casings, sensors
15% efficiency saving
Value from data is important!
Accurate tool life prediction
Capacity planning
Supply chain visibility
Hobsons: Future services and business models
Award winning brewery
How many beer casks (barrel) do I have?
Smart beer cask track and trace solution
NFC tagged casks using smartphone and cloud based analytics
Reduced cask ratio from 1:5 to 1:4
Created new business – working with major cider manufacturer
Track high value returnable containers - e.g. gas cylinders, bottles, cages, bins, pallets…
Data business
Where next and WMG can support?
Diagnostic assessment (where do start, identify your business challenge)
Lean Assessment
Manufacturing Excellence Benchmarking Tool (Jay)
Industry 4.0 Readiness Assessment (Jan launches today)
Business model tool (under development)
WMG SME Industry 4.0 Prototype Development Toolkit
Asset tracking
Manufacturing operations
Supply chain visibility
Real time costing tools
Contact usWMG SME024 7657 4299 [email protected]
Top Related