Stage 3: Upgrade machinery and equipment, implementing new digital technologies

In Industry 4.0, your operation has the ability to become interconnected - sharing information from machine-to-machine and gathering crucial operational metrics to ensure productivity, quality and the unique needs of each customer.

Finding and determining which new technologies and capabilities you would like to take advantage of is crucial to your modernization journey. Some examples are:

• Smart Safety Solutions
• Robotics
• Data Analytics
• Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)

Our Solution Consultants are very knowledgable about these technologies and how implementation would push your facility into the manufacturing world of tomorrow. Work with us to identify the technologies you need to achieve the outcomes you desire.

Network infrastructure lays the groundwork for Industry 4.0 and IoT. Without having a system that is interconnected, you and your machines cannot access the data or information that allow your machines to operate collaboratively as a process.

Your modernization project should not only think about what technologies you would like to utilize today, but what will you need in the future? What will network infrastructure look like in 30 years and will the technology you want to use today support this?

Your modernization project of today should have tomorrow in mind.

Creating a defined path for modernization helps to keep you focused, on-task, and helps you to complete your modernization objectives.

Consider your gap analysis, equipment evaluations, prioritized assets and production schedules to determine what to upgrade first. Create a designated plan with steps and relevant timelines to keep your modernization project moving forward. 

Develop a plan for the installation, commissioning, and integration of the upgraded equipment. Procure new machinery and equipment identified in your modernization roadmap from a trusted supplier to ensure quality, performance, and support. 

Identify areas where digital technologies can enhance efficiency, automation, and data analytics. Investing in smart sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and control systems will give you real-time monitoring and control of your operation.

Collaborate with our Solution Consultants and Partner Ecosystem of implementers to seamlessly integrate new technologies with your existing systems.

Conducting rigorous testing of the upgraded equipment and digital technologies to verify functionality and performance is a crucial part of modernization.

Through thorough testing, you will be able to optimize system settings, algorithms, and process parameters to maximize your efficiency and productivity. Use data-driven insights to fine-tune processes and reduce, or eliminate, bottlenecks. Implement performance monitoring systems to track the impact of modernization on your key performance indicators (KPIs) and analyze this data to quantify improvements in productivity, efficiency, and product quality.

Continuously review and adapt strategies based on performance metrics.

Provide training for new and existing employees to learn the skills needed to operate, maintain and troubleshoot the new equipment.

Conduct assessments on your current employees' current skills and knowledge. Identify the gaps in the knowledge and skills needed to operate the new equipment and create customized training programs that align with the identified gaps. By providing a mix of classroom training, hands-on experience and online resources, you can tailor the training content to different roles and levels of expertise within your facility.

We can help ensure the training and skill development of your employees through our comprehensive training programs, in-person and online courses and skill assessments.