Smart technologies are overtaking the manufacturing industry as more companies are integrating these technologies into their everyday work practices. What kind of technologies are integral to having a “smart factory”? What exactly does a smart factory look like? Is this the next right step for your business? Keep reading to find out more!

Smart Factory… What is it and What Does it Look Like?

Smart Factories use increasingly intelligent manufacturing software such as CAD (Computer-Aided Design), CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), MRP (Material Requirements Planning), MES (Manufacturing Execution System), CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System), Manufacturing Analytics, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), and QMS (Quality Management System). These types of software provide visibility, connectivity, autonomy, and real-time insight that is transforming how businesses do their day-to-day work. These smart technologies are applied in various ways across complex organizations to track, compile, and evaluate data during every step of the manufacturing production process to allow the company to learn and grow from their successes and even failures.

Simply put, “Smart Factories”, are companies that are using the latest technologies to their advantage to take away possible human error and enable the manufacturing process to run more smoothly and efficiently than ever before. What makes a factory truly a “Smart Factory” is using these technologies to track, compile, and evaluate data throughout the entire company and manufacturing production process.

Types of Manufacturing Software:

The choices can be overwhelming, as there are many types of software that make your factory smarter. Below are common software choices that many Smart Factory companies are using today.

• CAD (Computer-Aided Design)- Using computers to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, and optimization of designs. This software increases productivity of designers to improve the quality of designs, improve communications through documentations, and even creates a database for manufacturing.
• CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing)- Using software to control the machines and tools in the manufacturing of work pieces. This software is also referred to as Computer-aided Modeling or Computer-aided Machining.
• MRP (Material Requirements Planning)- A production planning, scheduling, and inventory control system that helps to manage the entire manufacturing process.
• MES (Manufacturing Execution System)- Computerized systems that are used in manufacturing to track and document the transformation of raw materials into the finished goods.
• CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System)- A software package that maintains computer databases of information about an entire organization’s maintenance operations. This software is also referred to as Computerized Maintenance Management Information System.
• Manufacturing Analytics– Ensures quality, increases performance, and reduces costs by optimizing supply chains using event data and technologies.
• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)- Integrates suite technologies to ensure they are all working together to share a common process and data model for end-to-end processes.
• QMS (Quality Management System)- The collection of business processes that focus on ensuring customers’ needs are met and ensures their satisfaction

Smart Factories are on the rise and companies across the globe are realizing the potential power and accessibility in implementing these new technologies throughout their business. Use the power of the future today and transform your factory into a Smart Factory that will not only make the entire process easier on your employees but make your consumers happier.

The time is now to gain the competitive edge and transform your factory into a Smart Factory. Let Godlan and Prophecy IoT ® help you gain the competitive edge. Visit www.godlan.com and  www.prophecyiot.com for further information, or contact us at 586.464.4400 to speak with us about beginning the process today.