Production processes are the steps that convert inputs into products and services. These include natural resources, raw materials, human labor, and technology. A company’s production process is typically obvious — Harley-Davidson turns steel, rubber, paint, and other inputs into motorcycles. Other companies may use a less obvious production process.
During this phase, improvement proposals are generated and planned. Then, an adjustment to the process is implemented and tracked to determine its effectiveness.
Industrial
Increasing production costs and shorter product life cycles make it difficult for manufacturers to compete in today’s volatile economy. As a result, it’s more important than ever to optimize production processes and ensure zero inefficiencies to remain competitive.
Optimizing a manufacturing process involves several steps. First, the process is analyzed to identify areas of improvement. Next, the best proposed solution is discussed with all those involved in the process. Finally, a plan is drawn up to implement the improvement on the production line. Once the production process is improved, it’s then measured and controlled to see if the adjustment was effective.
An IIoT platform collects raw feeds from the Edge – including data from sensors, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), supervisory control and data acquisitions (SCADAs), quality management systems (QMS) and manufacturing execution systems (MES). The unified view of real-time production data is used to create AI models that continuously correlate process and quality outcomes with plant state to generate prescriptive analytics.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the process of transforming raw materials into a product that can be sold to customers. It is one of the most important industries, as it creates many of the goods we use every day. The goal of a manufacturer is to produce quality products at a low cost to achieve profit.
Often, the most effective way to optimize production is through the implementation of a chemical management system. This software solution collects real-time data and provides detailed reports to help manufacturers improve their processes. It also helps them make better decisions about their investment strategy.
A chemical management system can help companies achieve their production goals by optimizing the flow of materials and minimizing waste. It can also help them evaluate their equipment and tools and identify areas where they need to be improved or replaced. This can reduce wait times, minimize handling and improve overall process efficiency. It is also critical to educate staff on best practices for optimizing chemical manufacturing.
Supply chain
The supply chain encompasses all of the individuals, organizations and resources involved in getting a finished product from raw materials to consumers. It includes the procurement of source materials, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution management. It also involves managing the various transportation modes needed to transport products, from tankers carrying products manufactured overseas to fleet trucks and parcel services handling last mile delivery to customers.
There are many models for optimizing the supply chain, including those geared toward responsiveness and efficiency. The former model works best for manufacturers that have a level of stability and a few relatively predictable demand peaks. The latter model is more suited for highly competitive industries in which pricing plays a major role.
A typical supply chain begins with the extraction and sourcing of raw materials, such as iron ore. These are then taken to suppliers, which act as wholesalers. The raw materials are then shipped to manufacturers, who turn them into finished goods like automobiles. Once the finished goods are ready, they are shipped to warehouses or distributed directly to retailers.
Logistics
For manufacturers, logistics is essential for optimizing production processes and reducing inventory costs. It involves the management of transportation, warehousing and distribution strategies, resulting in increased efficiency and lower operational costs. Effective logistical systems can reduce the need for manual processes and facilitate communication between manufacturers, shipping services and warehouses. This helps reduce operating expenses and improve delivery and fulfillment times.
The logistics process also includes inventory management, enabling businesses to optimize their supply chains by avoiding the waste of raw materials and unfinished goods. This enables the company to offer its products at competitive prices while keeping inventory levels low.
Another important aspect of logistics is inventory demand forecasting, which enables the business to avoid tying up capital in low-demand products or raw materials that might not sell. This type of analysis is also critical to a retail business, which can use inventory data to redistribute its products between stores and regions to maximize sales without losing money.