Digital Transformation – The Future of Manufacturing Event

Friday, March 12, 2021 12:00-1:30pm (EST) Virtual Panel Discussion

The manufacturing industry is the world’s stage for innovation. Each year brings higher quality products to market, completely compliant to regulations, at a lower cost. Each year Manufacturing IT leaders embark on goals to incorporate innovative technologies that reduce waste, speed production times, decrease machine downtime, improve safety, and consolidate communications between mission-critical systems, machines on the shop floor, and the master system interface used by the workforce.

2021 calls for manufacturing leaders who continue to be tenacious with technology while being nimble to significant regulatory changes and consumer demand brought on by a global pandemic. Many professionals reeling from the shock and confusion of 2020 would say, “now is not the time” for a digital transformation of your manufacturing process, but these four panelists are here to prove otherwise.

Now is the time of manufacturing innovation.

Big Data, Analytics, Edge Devices, Cloud processing, AI, IIoT, Data Integrity, and IT/OT security are fundamentally reshaping the industry. Smart technologies hold enormous promise for most manufacturers, but it is challenging to know where to start or how to successfully implement the strategies with a long-term plan.

Meet the digital disruptive technology transformers.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) – can enable Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to securely connect smart things, quickly manage processes and easily analyze data. Individual machines and their performance should no longer be seen as separate entities but viewed as one overall system.
Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) – a mission-critical tool in the development of a streamlined manufacturing process, but it’s up to Manufacturing IT leaders to turn technology costs into value-added implementations.
Industry 4.0 – a manufacturing environment where smart products and smart equipment interact autonomously for dynamic optimization on the fly.
Big data – data collected at every stage of production, including data from machines, devices, and operators.
Manufacturing analytics – the data-driven manufacturer can identify a manufacturing process breakdown in minutes, not weeks. The goal here is actionable insights in real-time.
Edge devices – a device which provides an entry point into enterprise or service provider core networks. Examples include routers, routing switches, integrated access devices, multiplexers, and a variety of local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) access devices. Edge devices also provide connections into carrier and service provider networks. This proximity to data at its source can deliver strong business benefits, including faster insights, improved response times, and better bandwidth availability.
Cloud processing – allows computing resources to be delivered with five central attributes: as an on-demand service; with infinite and rapid elasticity and scalability; on a measured basis (meaning the service can be billed); through pooled (i.e., shared) resources; and with broad network access.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – consists of multiple technologies that can be combined in different ways to sense, comprehend, act and learn. Accenture and Frontier Economics estimate that by 2035, AI-powered technologies could increase labor productivity by up to 40% across 16 industries, including manufacturing. Forrester says that 58% of business and technology professionals are researching AI solutions but only 12% are actively using them. We’ll show you why AI is a great opportunity to break ahead of the pack.
Data integrity – protecting data from unauthorized and unaccountable changes. It’s the maintenance and assurance of data consistency and accuracy throughout its life-cycle.
IT/OT Security – computing and communication systems to manage, monitor and control industrial operations with a focus on the physical devices and processes they use. Operational technology monitors and manages industrial process assets and manufacturing equipment. The main difference between OT and IT devices is that OT devices control the physical world, while IT systems manage data.

Embrace the transformation and unleash the potential of technology.

Innovating for the future and not just today isn’t easy. The success of your future depends on how maintainable your system is and understanding all factors of your environment and industry. This webinar, hosted by Flexware Innovation, discusses best practices to design, architect, and build solutions that stand the test of time.

Join us on March 12th for a virtual panelist discussion.

You can’t afford to miss this free event hosted by Flexware Innovation. Featuring four nationally-renowned experts of manufacturing IT:

John Dzelme

Cook Medical

John Dzelme is the Director of Global Manufacturing IT at Cook Medical, a leader in medical devices for minimally invasive procedures. He is an internationally recognized expert in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), lean manufacturing, and manufacturing intelligence strategies.

Ethan Lane

Glen Raven

Ethan Lane is the CIO of Glen Raven, the world’s most innovative fabric-based, market-drive solutions. He brings a broad and diverse background of IT leadership in manufacturing organizations and emphasizes the role of information technology in the company’s business planning process.

Alpen Patel

Caterpillar

Alpen Patel is the Technical Services Manager at Caterpillar Lafayette Engine Center. Patel is an expert of Smart Manufacturing and Logistics investments.

Mark Beckmann

Microsoft

Mark Beckmann is the Director of Industry Solutions for Microsoft’s manufacturing sector. He advises and consults manufacturers on their Industry 4.0 and digital transformation initiatives.