Watch Taking a Sledgehammer to Bottlenecks šŸŽ„ as Ruth & Steph show how AI actually fixes margins.

Artificial Intelligence

AI for Metals Manufacturing

AI isn’t one thing. It’s a shorthand for a dozen different technologies: machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and optimisation algorithms. Each solves a different class of problem.

For metals manufacturers, the most valuable applications are narrow and practical. AI that reads mill certificates in seconds and extracts every heat number, grade, and mechanical property without anyone typing a thing. AI that calculates optimal cut sequences for bar, rebar, and structural sections, cutting scrap by up to 50%. AI that monitors stock levels in real time and flags reorder points before you run short.

None of this requires a data science team or a rip-and-replace ERP project. The best metals AI sits on top of what you already have: your spreadsheets, your email inbox, your existing ERP. It adds intelligence where it counts. You pilot on one product family. You go live in a day. You scale when it works.

Posts here cover practical implementations for metals manufacturers: certificate automation, cutting optimisation, inventory intelligence, and what to expect when you bring AI into a shop that’s been running on Excel and tribal knowledge.

Start with the problem you want to solve. Let the maths do the rest.

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.

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

Steph Locke elected to EU Steering Committee for AI

Accelerating the voice of SMEs across Europe and driving more inclusive AI policy.

Read More: Steph Locke elected to EU Steering Committee for AI

Microsoft podcast - A bit of AI

Steph Locke talks A bit of AI with Microsoft cloud advocates Henk & Amy.

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How AI can improve your logistics fast

Logistics businesses and logistics have a huge opportunity to unlock additional value in their business through the use of data and AI integration. Areas of improvement include streamlining operations, managing the supply chain, pricing dynamically, agile planning, and enhanced forecasting.

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Resilient supply chains: Microsoft technologies to assist with productivity and efficiency

Manufacturers can adapt to disruptions successfully, ensuring business continuity during distress, by building a resilient supply chain based on Microsoft tech. By modernising your supply chain you can optimise your workforce, build agile planning and distribution processes, enhance supply chain visibility, and maximise asset uptime and efficiency.

Read More: Resilient supply chains: Microsoft technologies to assist with productivity and efficiency

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.

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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 aroundĀ 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.

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Irish Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference

We’re attending the National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference in Dublin, Ireland on the 23rd and 24th of November where our CEO will be giving two talks on how AI drives sustainable manufacturing and the power of no-code tools.

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The Manufacturer MX awards

We are so excited for the reveal of The Manufacturer Top 100 2021 in Liverpool! We are proud to be supporting Helen Anderson of CPI TMD at the awards.

Read More: The Manufacturer MX awards

Digitising your factory floor is hard

Digitising your factory floor is hard, that’s why we try to accelerate digital transformation in other operational areas. Focusing on helping workers, modernising core functions like Finance, and supporting your growth, gives you the opportunity to demonstrate value whilst gaining digital technology maturity. It’s hard to rapidly change, acquire expertise, and digitise the factory floor at the same time. By working in areas that are easier to change you can free up vital staff time to dedicate to the harder challenges.

Read More: Digitising your factory floor is hard