Data: ‘the new currency’ for driving manufacturing innovation

And the key to transitioning to this effective new business model lies in integrating end-to-end operations across the entire value chain in order to create a Connected Manufacturing ecosystem.

Martin Rainer, Vice President and Head of Manufacturing Industry at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, commented: “We believe that data-driven organisations drive superior business outcomes, and harnessing data – regardless of its source and scale – can empowera company. Data, if analysed properly, is a goldmine. A data-driven organisation not only streamlines manufacturing operations through data sharing, but also automates the processing of unstructured data so any impending issues can be identified such as those affecting plant performance or customer satisfaction.”

Successfully navigating this challenging landscape is just one of the topics to be discussed at the upcoming Manufacturing Forum 2016, an event hosted by the Economist Events in Coventry, UK on June 16 2016. The event, which has just grown after adding xxx xxx from GM Electric to its already impressive line-up, will analyse the importance of enterprise data integration during a panel discussion lead by Curtis Carson, Head of Research and Technology, Industrial Strategy and Systems at Airbus. The inaugural event also brings together a number of leading manufacturers including Rolls Royce, ABB, Hilti, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, all of whom are actively engaged in the quest to digitise and transform the global manufacturing industry.

The advice from Hewlett Packard Enterprise is for manufacturing businesses to consider the ways in which data can help them remain innovative and ahead of a challenging marketplace, which is becoming increasingly competitive. The business believes that digital technologies are going to prove instrumental in enabling manufacturers to add value successfully across the entire value chain, managing finite resources, while simultaneously reducing risk. This includes machines that collect, curate and transfer information between devices, as well as the communication and co-ordination of manufacturing data.

Throughout The Manufacturing Forum 2016, the expert panels will also be discussing how manufacturers can strike a balance between protecting the core business and investing in new initiatives, the digital tricks and tools that manufacturers already have at their disposal to boost efficiencies, and an exploration of emerging manufacturing business models. In addition, delegates of the event will also take a tour of the UK Manufacturing Technology Centre, an integral part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult which is supported by Innovate UK.

Clive Hickman, Chief Executive at the Manufacturing Technology Centre commented: “There’s no doubt that the manufacturing sector is facing a number of global challenges in the drive to connect every part of the factory floor. Part of the reason the MTC was established is to help develop the technology roadmap for the future for manufacturing, and help identify the new techniques and processes we need to be working on. This event promises to bring to the fore the capabilities that a truly connected manufacturing ecosystem can provide, in the quest to accelerate global manufacturing practices.”