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Blog and Articles

Articles Written for the Shop Floor, Not the Boardroom

Practical reads for people who run metal processing, distribution, and manufacturing operations. No generic thought-leadership. No consultancy waffle. Just articles written for people who care about what actually happens on the shop floor.

Our articles cover the decisions that actually matter for metals businesses:

  • How to cut scrap without replacing your equipment
  • How to stop chasing mill certificates before every delivery
  • How to get real inventory visibility without a six-figure ERP bill
  • How AI is changing the economics of metals manufacturing

You’ll also find articles on industry terminology, compliance standards, and the wider context of digitalisation for metals SMEs. Turns out knowing what’s broken is step one.

If you’re looking for a specific subject, browse by topic or category. The glossary is a good starting point if you’re new to the terminology your customers use on purchase orders.

Understanding the techniques behind AI in manufacturing

Understanding the techniques behind AI in manufacturing

It’s no secret that the disruption of Industry 4.0 and the challenges presented by Covid-19 have been a push for manufacturers to evaluate digital transformation and consider going smart with AI in their factories. This article, adapted from the webinar shared below, is aimed at manufacturers who are interested in the techniques, data infrastructure and processes needed to support building internal data science & AI intellectual property.

Read More: Understanding the techniques behind AI in manufacturing
The Historian and AI Webinar (AIFightsBack)

The Historian and AI Webinar (AIFightsBack)

AI for manufacturing has huge potential. As well as clear AI use cases like robotics and automation, the wealth of data being consolidated into industrial time series via historian appliances presents an opportunity for further AI applications. Using the data being consolidated, we can build early warning systems for critical issues, optimise maintenance programs, and improve processes.

Read More: The Historian and AI Webinar (AIFightsBack)

Low ROI from AI is a people problem, not a tech problem

The top blockers to effective AI use in businesses aren't technical issues. They're people problems.

Read More: Low ROI from AI is a people problem, not a tech problem
AI Winters and hype

AI Winters and hype

This is not the first time AI has been all the rage in the business world. In particular, AI was big in the eighties with solutions called expert systems. Will AI be a passing fad now?

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The AI Hierarchy of Needs meets the Minimum Viable Product

The AI Hierarchy of Needs meets the Minimum Viable Product

Two of my favourite pyramids are the Data Science Hierarchy of Needs and the Minimum Viable Product. Combining them helps us build effective artificial intelligence (AI) proof of concepts in businesses. It also supports building AI competency at the same time as demonstrating Return on Investment (ROI).

Read More: The AI Hierarchy of Needs meets the Minimum Viable Product
Mastering AI in manufacturing: the three levels of competency

Mastering AI in manufacturing: the three levels of competency

Manufacturers have been facing continual pressure to improve their technology base, reduce costs, and improve quality since the Industrial Revolution. Manufacturers are used to change but not every manufacturer can or will embrace it at the same rate. Also, no manufacturer jumps straight to being an expert at the new thing they're needing to adopt. The same goes for Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an emerging change in manufacturing.

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Industry IoT, smart factories and AI in manufacturing

Industry IoT, smart factories and AI in manufacturing

The world of manufacturing is on the brink of another revolution due to the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications. Aside from clear use cases like robotics and automation, big data applications are coming into play, thanks to industrial time series data collected by data historians. Thriving on all this data, AI systems can be built to send early warnings, optimise processes, predict maintenance and enforce quality control. By collecting the right data, manufacturers can get really creative with their AI solutions, and it can set them apart from the competition.

Read More: Industry IoT, smart factories and AI in manufacturing
7 tips for building a data culture that will strengthen your business

7 tips for building a data culture that will strengthen your business

Data analytics has taken off but not everyone is on the same page. While some companies are already making waves with data science, others are still struggling with the basics. Curating a healthy data culture is ever more important now to prevent the gap from growing between those who are embracing analytics and those who are lagging behind.

Read More: 7 tips for building a data culture that will strengthen your business
Project management: Are you backing the right AI projects?

Project management: Are you backing the right AI projects?

As an executive with an influence over whether your company implements AI and which projects it embarks on, there’s a lot of pressure on you to be successful. The future of AI within your company could rest on you on how your chosen projects perform.

Read More: Project management: Are you backing the right AI projects?
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