Blog and Articles

GoSmarter Blog and Articles

Welcome to our blog section featuring a diverse range of articles, insights, and commentary on technology, business, and innovation. This is where we share thoughts, experiences, and expertise on topics that matter to modern businesses.

Our blog content covers emerging trends, practical advice, industry observations, and expert perspectives on technology adoption and digital transformation. Whether you’re looking for quick tips, deep dives into specific topics, or thought-provoking commentary, you’ll find valuable content here.

From startup experiences to established business insights, our blog reflects our passion for making technology accessible and impactful. Explore articles that inform, inspire, and provide actionable insights for your business journey.

Smart Cuts, Less Scrap: A 1D Cutting Stock Problem

In rebar manufacturing, scrap directly impacts profitability and sustainability, making efficient production essential. Mathematical optimisation, particularly the 1D Cutting Stock Problem, helps minimise waste by determining the most efficient way to cut raw steel bars into required lengths while reducing leftover material.

Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference hightlights

It was great to contribute to the Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition Titanic Exhibition Centre last week. I was there to talk about our approach to greener software, to promote Strada and to network with the wider manufacturing community.

NHQ attend Databricks's Data + AI World Tour

We were invited to attend Databricks’s “Data + AI World Tour” event, held at the ExCel in London, UK, on 11th Sept 2024. The data platform Databricks has been an increasingly valuable tool for Nightingale HQ’s software development.

South West Manufacturing Digitalisation Series

South West Manufacturing Digitalisation Series from RDI Hub in the South West of Ireland.

Manufacturing excellence with Astellas Ireland

Learning from manufacturing best practice with Astellas Ireland.

Change is hard but equipping your teams with the right tools makes it easier

As we see the back of 2021, another year of disruption and change, I reflect on organisational practices and share some thoughts on how to implement more effective change. Change is hard, so best to start with small doses of change.

Industry 4.0 in a post-Covid world

Mckinsey’s report on manufacturing operations after Covid-19 takes an interesting look into the potential adoption pathways companies will take on the way to Industry 4.0 and some of the ways technology is changing the sector. It also identifies what ’lighthouses’, organisations successfully transforming at scale, are doing to make them succeed.

6 board-level agenda items and how AI can help

Persistent COVID-19 uncertainty, disruptive technologies, and supply chain challenges are some of the big concerns facing manufacturing CEOs and corporate leaders right now. However, despite uncertainty, we are seeing some promising trends around automation and transforming processes from the back office to the factory floor. Here are the top six board-level agenda items and a look into how AI can help.

The State of AI and learning from Transformers

Deloitte’s State of AI in the Enterprise report is an enlightening read. This edition focuses on becoming an ‘AI fueled’ organisation. The results come from a survey conducted on 2,875 executives from across the Americas, Europe and Asia. They separated companies into four groups based on their success with AI implementation and identified what was driving the success of the highest performers.

Procurement best practice – what manufacturers can learn

The National Audit Office (NAO) report on ‘Managing the Commercial Lifecycle’ is a great guide to improving your own procurement processes. Here we share some interesting findings and the key areas to make changes in.