The pursuit of Industry 4.0 practices and the digital manufacturing technology enabling it is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry. Industry 4.0 encompasses the implementation and coordination of many emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, robotics, augmented reality (AR), smart machines, and more. Together, these devices and technologies can provide real-time feedback and can automate tasks to increase productivity while reducing labor, materials, and energy costs. With Industry 4.0, factories can also create more efficient supply chains by relying on predictive analytics for forecasting demand and optimizing production schedules accordingly. These technologies are making their mark, but Industry 4.0 is also defined by connecting data to people and machines in every part of the business through system and process transformation.
SAP’s Design to Operate framework is a great example of how data is connected from product design to planning, manufacturing, and service. SAP Digital Manufacturing (DM) solution streamlines machines, processes, and people within manufacturing operations, but also fits into the overall Design to Operate framework to seamlessly share data with upstream and downstream processes and departments.
This data-driven manufacturing is a game-changer, especially when it comes to global visibility. While PLCs, SCADA, and HMIs have been collecting data for some time, pulling it all together to derive meaningful insights and drive process improvement and automation has been an ongoing challenge. SAP DM makes it simple.
SAP DM is a data-driven, low code Manufacturing Execution and IOT/Machine-to-Machine solution. It features best-in-class process and machine integration and orchestration tools; as well as an adaptable manufacturing analytics platform (built upon SAP Analytics Cloud); that connects people, machines, and data across the production floor and across plants around the globe. This means end-to-end visibility and transparency from the shop floor to the top floor.
SAP DM is natively integrated with SAP ECC and S/4HANA ERP systems and other SAP business solutions. Its open AI platform assists in integrating with other shop floor systems as well. This makes it easier to implement and maintain data integrity and streamlined business thinking, a critical factor in Industry 4.0.
SAP DM is a fully configurable public cloud solution, which further changes the dynamic of the system landscape. In the same way that all the apps on our phones run the same software, the public cloud model provides a shared infrastructure that enables seamless data sharing and collaboration, faster rollouts, reduced internal system maintenance, and built-in best practices; all of which help to drive process optimization and automation.
Data-driven manufacturing powered by SAP DM is a significant step forward in becoming more efficient, more sustainable, and more responsive to customer needs. By utilizing SAP DM, manufacturers can increase efficiency, improve quality control, reduce costs, enhance flexibility, facilitate collaboration, and analyze data to make more informed decisions.