A post on the LNS Research blog points to a recent survey by MESA and LNS that shows how far MOM/MES implementations still have to go in the manufacturing sector:

Indeed, four out of five manufacturing companies do not have an integrated Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) system, something we almost take for granted as a starting point to go down the route of Digital Transformation towards the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

The analyst sees two issues emerging in the MOM suite versus individual applications discussion as manufacturers move towards the realization of the fourth industrial revolution, typically referred to as Smart Manufacturing or Industry 4.0:

• Production execution, scheduling, and plant quality are applications many MOM vendors include in their offering, and manufacturers that need new solutions in these areas can be expected to move towards appropriate MOM solutions.
• As manufacturers move towards true Industrial Internet of Things platforms in implementing smart manufacturing strategies, integrating new applications into the platform will become easier and deliver more value as apps access information from all enterprise sources.

LNS’ recommendation: “Manufacturers without any integrated plant floor solutions [should] consider first traditional MOM solutions. In making a solution selection they need to take into account their potential vendors’ IoT strategy for long term peace of mind.”

Our Strategy

At iBASEt, our IoT strategy is integral to our vision of Smart Manufacturing, where the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) enables the connection of all things in the factory to support the Smart Factory (i.e., a collective term for technologies and concepts of value chain organization that draws together Cyber-Physical Systems, the Internet of Things, and the Internet of Services). iBASEt believes that the Smart Factory needs to go beyond the IIoT functions of sensing and analyzing. The Smart Factory needs the controlling and acting functions added by a MOM solution like Solumina to provide the building blocks for the Smart Factory (i.e., sensing, controlling, analyzing, and acting functions) to continuously improve the manufacturing process.

There are three foundational support elements to iBASEt’s strategic roadmap to Smart Manufacturing:

1. Digital Thread Support, including:

   • Model-Based Enterprise:driving 3-D model-based definition into manufacturing and supply chain processes
   • Facilitating accelerated engineering change management
   • Customer and supplier network integration via APIs and Hubs (e.g., supplier network quality management hubs; as-built, as-maintained hubs)

2. Smart Factory Support, including:

   • Next-generation machine integration interfaces, such as those being developed at the UK Manufacturing Technology Center (MTC), where ATS’ Service Bus has been leveraged by Solumina MES for direct machine data exchange

3. Smart Manufacturing IT Platform Support, including:

   • Modular applications integrated via APIs
   • Cloud-based B2B communication and authentication mechanisms, hubs, and modules
   • MES, Inspection Planning, Process Detailing, QA at Source, MRO, etc.

By encouraging manufactures’ participation, partnering with other vendors, and sponsoring initiatives like those at MTC (a joint endeavor with Ubisense, ATS, and iBASEt) in developing the next-generation of manufacturing, and facilitating the progression of Smart Manufacturing, should engender confidence among those organizations considering iBASEt for MOM/MES implementations.

To begin your journey into a Smart Manufacturing environment you must first understand the foundation which it leverages: the Digital Thread. For more information on how your business can unify design, manufacturing and ERP, download our eBook: Enabling the Digital Thread.

[hs_action id=”9593″]

• About the Author
• Latest Posts

About Tom Hennessey

Tom brings over 25 years of enterprise software marketing experience to bear in directing the transformation of the company’s marketing function. As a Vice President of Marketing, Tom is leading to expand iBASEt’s Marketing and Business Development efforts. By providing educational content and customer-focused programs, he encompasses a culture of measurable returns. Tom earned his MBA at the University of Southern California and holds a BS degree in Management from Northeastern University.

• 5 Great Features of iSeries - December 1, 2020
• Paperless Manufacturing: Why a Digital Revolution is Now Underway - October 27, 2020
• 3 Reasons Why the Single Vendor Model is Losing Ground to the Digital Ecosystem - April 30, 2020
• 3 Ways the Digital Enterprise Can Better Navigate Uncertainty in Today’s Marketplace - March 27, 2020
• 5 Top Trends in Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing - March 23, 2020
• iBASEt Assists Lockheed Martin’s Johnstown Plant to Scale Production and Meet Accelerated Demand - October 29, 2019
• Preparing for 21st Century Workforce Challenges - October 29, 2019
• Industry 4.0 Needs Smart MES - October 18, 2019
• Partnering to Achieve Critical Digital Transformation Success at Lockheed Martin - October 17, 2019
• iBASEt Launches Solution for Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Execution - October 10, 2019

View All Posts