How business transformation really works
Kevin Bull, product strategy director at Columbus, explains how manufacturers who successfully master the constant battle to transform their processes will reap the considerable rewards of digital technologies. When Harley-Davidson wanted to enhance productivity at its motorcycle plant, the company deployed networked sensors and smart devices throughout the factory to collect data on its machines […]
Roundtable: Product lifecycle management – Addressing key challenges with PLM
For this issue’s roundtable we assemble three experts in Product lifecycle management (PLM) to discuss the importance of this well-established technology in the digital transformation of manufacturing. PLM is the integration of all aspects of a product, taking it from conception through the product life cycle to the end of life and disposal of the […]
Study highlights human error as top cyber risk
A majority of IT decision makers (95 per cent) regard cloud misconfiguration as a data security risk, potentially leading to compliance problems and obstructing digital transformation, according to a new study from Trend Micro, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions. Trend Micro commissioned new independent research to shed light on cloud security challenges facing UK […]
Factory Automation – Factory of the future
The COVID-19 pandemic has not only put a temporary halt to the global economy, but it has forced businesses, of all sizes to look at their structures, patterns and connections and realise just how resilient, or not, their organisations are. Nowhere is this more acute than in manufacturing in the factory world. Like many industries, […]
Small business confidence bounces back as nation re-emerges from lockdown
The proportion of UK small businesses predicting growth has almost doubled in just three months – from 14 per cent to 27 per cent – giving one of the first tangible indications that the Government’s easing of lockdown is having a positive impact on a key area of the UK economy. The quarterly tracking study […]
Vodafone’s European network to go 100 per cent green
Vodafone has announced that its European network will be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity no later than July 2021, creating a Green Gigabit Net for customers across 11 markets that will grow sustainably using only power from wind, solar or hydro sources. Vodafone also committed to helping business customers who use its services […]
Manufacturing resource planning – Digital transformation is no longer an optional extra
Can a smaller manufacturing company looking to survive and prosper in this changing world afford not to embrace the digitalisation of the business process? As manufacturing businesses prepare for life after COVID-19, it should be clear that automation and digitalisation, both of production and of business processes, can no longer be regarded as a nice […]
Analysis – Digital model transformation and capacity
Chris Huff, chief strategy officer, Kofax explains the keys to business resiliency in the new normal and the need for digital transformation. The first half of 2020 has seen a seismic shift in the day-to-day for organisations around the world. Retail businesses, restaurants and offices have closed or significantly scaled back their operations, and many […]
Solution to safeguard UK forests and tackle climate change is trialled
Vodafone has announced a partnership with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Forest Research, Great Britain’s leading organisation for forestry and tree-related research, to explore how technology can be used to monitor the part trees play in tackling climate change. The pilot will use Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor […]
Manufacturing headaches can be addressed by Cloud ERP
In a complex and ever-changing environment, the manufacturing industry must be able to ensure their processes can meet demand while simultaneously catering to the growing needs of their consumers. As the manufacturing industry continues to evolve thanks to the surge in new technologies such as 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT), manufacturers must also […]
Analytics and AI software helps producers optimise operations in demanding market conditions
Analyst studies suggest that industrial companies typically are able to use only 20 per cent of the data generated, which severely limits their ability to apply data analytics meaningfully. The ABB Ability Genix Industrial Analytics and AI Suite is a scalable advanced analytics platform with pre-built, easy-to-use applications and services. It collects, contextualises, and converts […]
Integrating autonomous vehicles with production control systems
The drive to improve internal logistics has led to the increased adoption of automated guided vehicles, but the key to success is assimilating their operation with management systems, CTS spoke to Nicola Tomatis, CEO of autonomous navigation experts, BlueBotics. When it comes to automating the internal logistics at a manufacturing or warehouse operation, how would […]
Connecting digital islands – bridging the business transformation gap
Although much has been written about digital transformation, businesses are finding that transformation is about more than just the application of technology or simply a drive to modernise the IT estate. According to Richard Davies, managing director, Leading Edge Forum, and vice president, DXC Technology, it is about a comprehensive business transformation, a whole new […]
Untangling the complex web of corporate cloud security threats
Jay Coley, UK technical director, Trend Micro explains why cybersecurity for cloud installations must be proactive, agile, and built-in from the start. In the third quarter of 2019, the cloud market reached an important tipping point. With public cloud spending soaring by 24 per cent from the previous quarter, over half of all IT vendor […]
Autonomous mobile robots: can they improve your warehouse?
Connected Technology Solutions looks at how autonomous mobile robots could help your facility become more productive and deal with an increase in demand. Over the last few months, supply chains across many industries have seen unprecedented levels of demand due to the COVID-19 crisis. For warehouse operators, this has meant that they are under more […]
Special Report: Remote working – Time to work smart
Connected Technology Solutions looks at the supporting networks for remote workers during and after the Coronavirus lockdown With much of the world going into lockdown upon the ever-growing impact of the Coronavirus, the ways that many businesses operate have been thrown into a state of flux. For some, the transition from local to remote working […]
Engineering giant launches new business in UK to slash cost and carbon
Manufacturing sites, commercial buildings, universities, and business parks are facing three main challenges: improving profitability while managing costs; avoiding energy related disruptions and downtime; meeting internal and customer sustainability expectations. They are seeking resilient production lines, a stronger reputation with their customers on sustainability, improved productivity, and lower costs. Siemens have created a new multi-discipline […]
Special Report – Remote working and the SaaS surge
With a rapid and unexpected transition to home working, many manufacturers have been forced to turn to SaaS solutions, but while this may initially deliver results it may present challenges in the long term. As a result of the COVID-19 measures, business leaders are focusing on maintaining employee productivity, with little time for the typical […]
PTC named Global Manufacturing Partner of the Year by Microsoft
PTC has been named the Global Manufacturing Partner of the Year, for the second year in a row, in the Microsoft 2020 Partner of the Year Awards. Honoured among a global field of top Microsoft partners, PTC has demonstrated excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology. “We are pleased to […]
Following a data-driven path to improve reliability and availability
As GE Digital unveils the latest enhancements to its Asset Performance Management (APM), Connected Technology Solutions spoke to Linda Rae, General Manager, GE Digital Power Generation and Oil & Gas, about the importance of APM to the energy sector and the new functionality and reliability on offer from GE. Asset Performance Management (APM) systems act […]
Digital integrator helps infrastructure asset owners leverage digital twins
Bentley Systems has announced that its Acceleration Fund has launched The Cohesive Companies, a wholly owned subsidiary, anchored by the acquisition of Atlanta-based Cohesive Solutions. The new business venture will include the services team from Bentley’s AssetWise business and the offerings of Bentley, Cohesive, and IBM’s Maximo to support the digital transformation of infrastructure owner-operators. […]
DETI initiative to play an important role in economic recovery
The Digital Engineering Technology & Innovation (DETI) initiative in the West of England has launched and will play an important role in driving innovation and digitally enabled recovery following the Coronavirus outbreak. DETI is a research, innovation, and skills initiative to develop and accelerate digital engineering across multiple sectors for future generations of engineers and […]
Russia introduces artificial intelligence to its aircraft engine production
The United Engine Corporation (UEC) of Russia’s State Corporation for Assistance to Development Rostec and Zyfra, Finnish-Russian industrial digitalisation leader, have begun testing the Zyfra Industrial Internet of Things Platform (ZIIoT) at the Salyut production unit. The system, which includes elements of artificial intelligence, will monitor the manufacture of engines, and will make it possible […]
Enhancements to FactoryTalk InnovationSuite simplifies and accelerates digital transformation
Rockwell Automation and PTC have announced strategic enhancements to industry leading FactoryTalk InnovationSuite to serve the needs of an extremely fast growing, dynamic industrial digital transformation market. Launched in 2018, the suite offering has already seen rapid customer adoption, helping achieve significant improvements in operational efficiency, reduction in unplanned downtime and improved quality. The latest enhancements center around improved OT/IT integration, […]
CSAIL robot disinfects Greater Boston Food Bank
With every droplet that we cannot see, touch, or feel dispersed into the air, the threat of spreading Covid-19 persists. It is become increasingly critical to keep these heavy droplets from lingering — especially on surfaces, which are welcoming and generous hosts. Thankfully, our chemical cleaning products are effective, but using them to disinfect larger […]
Industry fears that could expose them to the risk of a data breach
More than half (57 per cent) of UK IT decision makers still believe that remote workers will expose their organisation to the risk of a data breach, according to an annual survey – conducted between 25 and 27 March 2020 – commissioned by Apricorn. This figure has inclined steadily from 44 per cent in 2018 and 50 per cent in […]
Amazon announces $2 billion Climate Pledge Fund
Amazon has announced The Climate Pledge Fund to support the development of sustainable technologies and services that will enable Amazon and other companies to meet The Climate Pledge—a commitment to be net zero carbon by 2040. This dedicated venture investment program—with an initial $2 billion in funding—will back visionary companies whose products and services will […]
Updates to ERP solution boost traceability for Syspro
Manufacturing and distribution businesses are set to benefit from optimised production processes, enhanced traceability, and new digital tax automation in Syspro’s latest release of its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution. The application has been further enhanced to help manufacturers gain greater visibility of supply chains. An update has been made to the product recall feature, […]
Prospects for Quantum Computing remains uncertain for next decade
As innovation continues to accelerate, quantum computing has become an increasingly important technology to monitor as part of the broader wave of digital transformation. Quantum computing aims to solve complex problems that are impossible to address with today’s supercomputers and has strong potential across multiple industry sectors, including pharma, energy, finance, logistics, manufacturing, and materials. […]
Bringing the factory home
When lockdown began, millions of workers found themselves thrust into the unfamiliar situation of working from home, and the transition for some industries was more straightforward than others. Most office workers realised quickly that thanks to video conferencing technology, they could work just as effectively at their kitchen table as at their desk. But for […]
Building resilience with the Digital Twin
These are truly exceptional times as we all adapt to the unprecedented health, social and economic disruptions we are experiencing across the globe. As the manufacturing sector moves back into top gear, the Digital Twin could play a vital role. Scroll back even a few months and it would have been all but impossible to […]
The role of data in industry 4.0
The challenges encountered by manufacturing companies when it comes to handling data are well reported, but what can they do to ensure that data is an asset rather than a problem? Data has long been treated in the manufacturing industry as the orphan nephew living in the cupboard under the stairs. While operational and service […]
MSC Design tool that thinks like an engineer
MSC Software Corporation has released MSC Apex Generative Design 2020, a tool that enables engineers to explore new approaches and optimise any part of their design in a single step. It will develop innovative products up to 80 per cent faster than conventional approaches. MSC Apex Generative Design addresses product development pressures to meet shrinking […]
Cybersecurity software release protects facilities from cyberattacks
Honeywell has announced the latest release of its Forge Cybersecurity Suite that includes several enhancements to help ensure business continuity in the face of mounting cyberthreats, uncertain global business conditions and continued supply chain disruption associated with remote operations. The release incorporates new features such as enhanced industrial-grade remote access, increased asset discovery capabilities with […]
Consortium intends to develop the potential of 5G in manufacturing
A consortium led by Ford have received government backing for the introduction of 5G connectivity to speed up electric vehicle manufacturing. A 5G mobile private network delivered by Vodafone Business, will be installed this year in the new E:PriME (Electrified Powertrain in Manufacturing Engineering) facility on Ford’s Dunton Campus. The 5G solution is set to […]
SMEs urged to digitise now to recover from COVID-19
SMEs in the manufacturing industry need to digitise now according to software services company, Advanced. They go on to say that companies that take a digital-first approach will be the first to bounce back from the current crisis. The warning comes after the government recently announced plans to turbo charge the industry as the world […]
Giving a second life to industrial robots
The spectre of sustainability continues to look over the manufacturing sector. Remanufacture work enables existing robot users to sell inactive or legacy robots to ABB with an attractive buy back service, rather than scrapping them or leaving them unused in a corner of the factory. Over the last 25 years, thousands of robots have been […]
Avoiding unethical and costly commercial mistakes with AI
A mathematical means of helping regulators and business manage Artificial Intelligence systems’ biases towards making unethical, and potentially very costly and damaging commercial choices has been developed by researchers. Researchers from the University of Warwick, Imperial College London, EPFL (Lausanne) and Sciteb have developed an ethical eye on AI methodology. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly […]
Automation provides the solution for mass testing
Juha Järvi, head of healthcare, Digital Workforce explains how automation can help in the fight against COVID-19. As international lockdown measures persist, governments continue to face criticism over the rate of testing for Coronavirus. Global healthcare systems were facing challenges long before the virus outbreak, but are now being asked to provide even more, placing […]
Rapid response technical delivery at Cochrane
Domain-driven design and a loosely coupled, cohesive architecture proves its worth in Cochrane’s rapid response to the coronavirus crisis, says Data Language CTO, Julian Everett. Over the past five years it has been our privilege to be a technology partner of Cochrane. For anyone unfamiliar with their work, they are globally recognised as the gold standard […]
Lux Research ranks the critical technologies for surviving COVID-19
COVID-19 poses major challenges for players in every industry, and companies now face unprecedented hurdles as they struggle to reopen. Lux Research’s new report, ‘Back in Business: Using Technology to Open During COVID-19’, addresses the key technologies businesses need to adopt to fight against COVID-19 in the workplace. “Companies are under tremendous pressure to open […]
COVID-19 to reduce 2020 industrial robot revenue
Maya Xiao at Interact Analysis offers her insight into the global industrial robot market Global industrial robot shipments experienced negative growth for four consecutive quarters from mid-2018. At the end of 2019, recovery signs appeared, and the mid-term growth rate turned positive. This turnaround happened in the context of a continued slowdown in general global […]
Artificial intelligence: driving the industry towards greater success
Manufacturers need every edge to stay competitive and artificial intelligence (AI) is being touted as one of the key technologies to achieve that. Mark Venables looks at the opportunities and challenges for AI within the sector. We live in a connected world, from phones controlling the temperatures of our homes to cars communicating with one […]
Following a data-driven path to improve reliability and availability
As GE Digital unveils the latest enhancements to its Asset Performance Management (APM), Connected Technology Solutions spoke to Linda Rae, General Manager, GE Digital Power Generation and Oil & Gas, about the importance of APM to the energy sector and the new functionality on offer from GE. Asset Performance Management (APM) systems act to improve […]
GE Digital’s APM update rapidly reduces cost and risk from industrial reliability and maintenance work processes
GE Digital has unveiled the latest version of its industry-leading Asset Performance Management (APM) mission-critical software suite. Available both as a cloud and on premises solution, APM allows companies in asset and process intensive industries like Oil & Gas, Chemical and Power Generation to align key technologies with critical work processes and functions across their […]
Xilinx establishes adaptive compute research clusters
Xilinx has announced it is establishing Xilinx Adaptive Compute Clusters (XACC) at four of the world’s most prestigious universities. The XACCs provide critical infrastructure and funding to support novel research in adaptive compute acceleration for high performance computing (HPC). The scope of the research is broad and encompasses systems, architecture, tools, and applications. The XACCs […]
Siemens body temperature solution minimises infection risk in buildings
Siemens Smart Infrastructure has launched Siveillance Thermal Shield. This solution package quickly measures the body temperature of a person seeking to access a building and enables the results to be integrated into the video and access systems of corporations. Thermal imaging cameras are used to measure, in a contactless way, the body temperature at up […]
EdgeConneX brings the intelligent edge mainstream with NVIDIA
EdgeConneX is meeting growing enterprise interest in leveraging the data processing and decision-making benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Deep Learning. As a long-term member of the NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Center program, the company’s edge facilities are inherently designed to support enterprises that need the power and performance of users of NVIDIA DGX systems. NVIDIA […]
AWS announces general availability of Amazon Kendra
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced the general availability of Amazon Kendra, a highly accurate and easy to use enterprise search service powered by machine learning. With just a few clicks, Amazon Kendra uses machine learning to enable organizations to index all their internal data sources, make that data searchable, and allow users to get […]
The growing threat of cyberattacks
Rory Duncan, security go-to-market leader, NTT asks if manufacturing more exposed than ever to a cyberattack? Cyberattacks on manufacturing organisations are increasing. But as the technology driving many industrial processes and systems continues to progress, the awareness and action around cybersecurity has lagged. We are also seeing a generation of cyber criminals that are innovating […]
The digital transformation of supply chain management lowers costs and reduces risk
A host of digital innovations address the growing pressure to increase overall efficiencies and minimise risks within a rapidly evolving supply chain. Supply chain risks have been making headlines recently with the disruptions caused by the coronavirus. In its new report, ‘The Digital Transformation of Supply Chain,’ Lux Research categorises the supply chain into six […]
Getting the Most Out of Digital Twins
Chad Stoecker, vice president, global managed services at GE Digital gives you his four tips for getting faster time to value from digital twin technology Software is now mission critical in every industry. Digital twins are playing an increasingly important role in helping everyone from plant operators to executives understand how to both reduce operating […]
The Drive to Prescriptive Asset Management
Predictive asset management provides new insights into equipment status to increase process uptime, avoid disruption and optimise asset utilisation. Through regular monitoring of production assets, predictive asset management helps users avoid costly, unscheduled downtime, reduce maintenance costs and more efficiently plan scheduled maintenance, all with the aim of increasing plant productivity and maximising capital outlay. […]
Knowing when to say goodbye
Dave Hart, executive vice president at ServiceMax explains that knowing when to ditch old equipment is tricky but essential to avoid waste and downtime “Data is a precious thing and will last longer than the systems themselves,” wrote Tim Berners-Lee back in 2006 in A Framework for Web Science. It is an interesting quote because […]
Reaching for the skies
Cloud computing is transforming virtually every facet of modern manufacturing, whether it is how it operates, integrates into supply chains, designs and make products, or how customers use the products. CTS looks at the best strategies for manufacturers to adopt Looking back, 2014 was the year where cloud finally came of age. Around 78 per […]
Software robots will disseminate patient test results to free up nurses
UiPath is launching a pro bono automation project with the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. The initiative will see software robots assigned to the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Department at the Mater. This development will significantly reduce the administrative strain placed upon the department by multidrug resistant organisms or viruses such as Covid-19, enabling IPC […]
Essentium makes 3D printed face mask with reusable frame
Essentium, led by the company’s COVID-19 Response Strategy Team, has been investigating how to best mobilise its resources and significant IP in materials and additive manufacturing production to aid in the fight against COVID-19. The company today announced that it has designed, and is now in production of, a protective mask kit comprising a reusable […]
Cranfield student creates Covid-19 map for Nigeria
A student from Cranfield University in the UK has created a dashboard giving information on the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Nnenna Nkata, 27, is from Abia State in Nigeria and is studying for an MSc in Geographical Information Management. The dashboard formed part of the work for one of her course modules and she […]
AVEVA Unified Learning now includes microlearning from Axonify
AVEVA has strategically partnered with Axonify, a rapidly growing B2B SaaS company, to offer adaptive microlearning powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) as part of AVEVA Unified Learning. This strategic partnership with Axonify makes AVEVA the first leading digitalisation company to deliver microlearning solutions for industrial operations staff. This is part of an overarching framework designed […]
A data driver future for cities
Rapid urbanisation is leading to smarter cities that improve the lives of citizens through technology as Mark Venables discovers Over half of the world’s population today lives in an urban area. By 2030, there will be an estimated 41 megacities across the globe with more than ten million inhabitants each. People and businesses are flowing […]