We figure out how and why industry is being digitiz. We find out what mobile applications have to do with it. And we also see that today we can’t do without digital transformation
Before a piece of metal starts phone number library to be turn into a product. It is possible to create a digital copy of this piece in the virtual. World and run it through all the production stages. This will allow you to see the difficulties that may be encounter. Digitalization of industrial enterprises with the help of applications and web services for workflow management and the defects that the product will eventually have. At the same time, the enterprise does not spend real money and does not incur costs in the form of spoil
material and wages for workers.
Copies (models) not only of one workpiece, but also of individual production operations, business processes, and even the enterprise as a whole.
What is digitalization in industry?
Fig. 1. Example of visualization of a business process diagram.
We previously wrote about what business processes are . How to find them, describe them and debug them . Read it, it’s a really useful article!
Digitalization acts as a foundation for digital transformation, a more comprehensive process that involves the formation of a new digital culture.
The state and prospects of digitalization of industry in . Russia digitalization of industrial enterprises with the help of applications and web services for workflow management.
Russian industry is in a hybrid state, where, on the one hand, paper document flow can be maintain, while on the other hand, automation and artificial intelligence can be introduc.
It is interesting that digitalization is no longer a choice that enterprises face, because on July 21, 2020, the President of the Russian positive results and also Feration sign Decree No. 474 “On national development goals until 2030” , according to which digital transformation becomes one of the national goals.
According to Appendix No. 1 to the Order of the Government of the Russian Feration dat November 7, 2023 No. 3113-r, there are the follo be numbers wing target indicators of digital transformation in industry.
Thus, digital transformation is becoming a goal for the entire industry, and digitalization is becoming a
task for each enterprise.
The first trigger that drew attention to the ne for digitalization and accelerat its pace was the pandemic, when people could not be at their workplaces, and businesses did not have the opportunity to stop operations.
The second trigger was the 2022 sanctions, which were intend to isolate Russia’s industrial sector from the rest of the world. Although in the short term the sanctions certainly slow down the pace of digitalization, in the long term we should expect the opposite effect – the emergence of domestic products that will be an order of magnitude higher than foreign ones. This can happen by creating applications for managing industrial workflows from scratch. At the same time, the best global practices will be taken into account, and there will be no ne to maintain outdat domestic digital infrastructure (there was none).
Digitalization is quite real – there are already many precents in Russia. For example, NGCO New Gas Company, which produces industrial gases, has fully automat procurement using a Russian business application on low-code BPMS, thereby accelerating and simplifying decision-making processes, as well as rucing the influence of the human factor. And glass manufacturer Salavatsteklo implement Russian software for managing production lines within six months.
There is no doubt that industrial
Enterprises in Russia can be digitaliz. The only thing ne is the owner’s desire to go digital as soon as possible. We are sure that this desire will increase when you learn about the advantages.
9 Important Benefits of Digitalizing Work Processes
The transition to digitalization of business processes is not just a fashionable phenomenon or a government directive from above that must be follow. Digitalization brings real benefits, representing an important step in the development of companies, especially when it comes to the implementation of innovative technologies such as augment reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI). This transition provides economic benefits not only in the work of the administration, but also in all departments of the enterprise.
Fewer errors
The digitalization of processes minimizes the human factor. For example, workers in warehouses or production shops can use applications to obtain data ne for work, as well as promptly provide input of parameters into the system (filling in mandatory fields or uploading photos). The rejection of paper mia and the ne to rely on your memory ruces the risk of errors. And the digitalization of business processes eliminates unpleasant surprises – you will know in advance about such things as, for example, employees’ mical records running out.
The quality is higher
This advantage is a direct consequence of the first one. A mobile application or web service can be a source of information that is us daily in work. Since the information requir to complete tasks is fix in the application and does not depend on the properties of human memory, the quality of work does not suffer. In addition, automat production control provides the ability to promptly monitor key indicators through reports. This allows you to promptly respond to potential problems or shortcomings and improve the overall quality of products.
Spe up
Verification of data, entering information, downloading and sending materials in a couple of taps on the monitor screen or using voice commands allows you to save time and instantly exchange important information between departments, as well as between the enterprise and its counterparties.
Example 2
The enterprise regularly nes to order spare parts. Using a special algorithm in the application will allow you to automatically generate and send orders for work without the ne to fill out paper forms.
Example 3
When technical problems with equipment occur, technicians can find solutions faster when typical troubleshooting methods are available in apps for immiate use in relevant situations. In addition, the app allows you to quickly contact a competent support or repair specialist who will provide assistance remotely.
Costs are lower
In example 1, we already consider a situation in which a digital twin of a workpiece is creat and a virtual modeling of the production process is perform. Planning allows you to accurately calculate the requir amount of resources for production, avoid surpluses and shortages, and at the same time optimize the workload of equipment and personnel.
Less downtime
Timely notification of the ne for maintenance and repair ensures reliable operation of equipment. This ruces the likelihood of accidents and significantly ruces production downtime, which contributes to the smooth operation of the enterprise.
Production is more flexible
Market conditions are changing rapidly. Flexible adjustment to new conditions and changes in production parameters will allow us to meet trends and high consumer demands. A system of end-to-end business processes, in which production and distribution of goods are integrat into a continuous cycle, allows us to focus on market nes and ruce risks associat with overproduction and downtime.
Profit is higher
The digital platform enables improv production management and stable relationships with suppliers, customers and financial institutions. This contributes to increas efficiency and overall profitability of the enterprise.
Optimization of production
Processes spes up the release of new products to the market. This allows the company to stay ahead of competitors, strengthening its position in the market.
Safety is higher
Workers receive additional protection from exposure to harmful production factors, as well as from injuries, since their tasks can be partially or fully automat. This ruces the risk of occupational diseases and the likelihood of accidents.
4 Use Cases for Manufacturing Process Management Applications and Web Services
“Smart” factory
The “smart” factory is the basis of the Industry 4.0 concept. If earlier the process of digital transformation involv equipping individual machines with sensors and software, today the focus is already on their effective interaction within a single network, which is carri out and controll using applications and web services. We tell you how.
Many manufacturing facilities have long incorporat automat equipment into their operations, including barcode scanners, cameras, and digital equipment. However, in most manufacturing environments, employees, equipment, and control systems are isolat from one another, requiring constant manual coordination
and integration of their work.
In a smart factory, all devices work together. They are unit by a central element, namely the smart product, that is, what the factory produces. Such a product is equipp with embd chips or RFID tags that can identify it and track its movement. Using wireless communication, the equipment automatically reads information from product tags, determines their location, condition, and, if one of the production lines is busy, can independently make a decision without human intervention and send the workpiece to another line.
Example 4
The pressure in boiler A increases, the sensor records this and transmits the information to the system. The controller stops pumping steam into boiler A and transfers it to boiler B. In this case, the ne for a system operator is ruc, and the reliability of operation is increas by eliminating the human factor.
A smart factory not only collects and analyzes data, but also extracts valuable insights from it, pricts trends, and recommends optimal production strategies. It constantly learns from new information to improve efficiency and ensure production stability. For example, upon receiving information about increas demand for a certain product, intelligent production automation notifies the person in charge of the ne to increase production. Having receiv the go-ahead, the system generates a task to purchase additional raw materials.
Example 5
Traditional print reference materials us to assemble complex products can be replac by a mobile application. It presents installation instructions in digital format, making the task easier for the specialists in charge. This increases productivity. Thus, newcomers can quickly get into the workflow and start working independently, following digital instructions. They will not have to waste time searching for solutions in reference books or asking colleagues, as they will be able to refer to the instructions stor in mobile applications and find the necessary solution in the shortest possible time.
Maintenance
To ensure the longevity of equipment, the safety of employees and the quality of products, industrial enterprises conduct regular maintenance. Maintenance workflows can be optimiz thanks to clearly defin instructions available in mobile applications.
Where previously disparate
Information was kept on paper, it is now combin in a single web service for equipment maintenance. Registration logs, contact information, system data, instructions and a checklist – all the information service specialists ne for every day and during maintenance is now available via mobile devices, wherever they are.
The application reminds responsible persons about the ne for maintenance to avoid delays. Thanks to sensors, the equipment can independently indicate impending malfunctions and the ne for maintenance if critical indicators are detect. This process is call intelligent maintenance, it allows you to spe up the work process and improve its quality.
Repair
Even if equipment is us as intend and maintain, signs of wear, corrosion and exposure to atmospheric agents may appear over time, which may require repair work.
Mobile apps can help here too, streamlining the repair process. One of the latest technological developments in the repair industry is the use of a symbiosis of a digital app and augment reality to improve communication, ruce errors and spe up processes.
The applications of augment reality in maintenance are vari. Let’s look at two main use cases that bring the most value.
Remote support. Repairing industrial installations can be complex and require highly specializ knowlge. In the event of a ne to consult with more experienc colleagues locat in another region, service technicians previously could only use a phone or video call from their smartphones.
Now, thanks to smart glasses, they can interact with colleagues via specializ remote software, broadcast to them what they see in front of them, and receive expert recommendations for successful completion of repairs.
Automation of repair processes. Mobile applications allow you to systematize step-by-step instructions for various repair procures and automate the work process, minimizing the risk of errors.
Organization
Any production includes a wide range of organizational tasks, such as planning, budgeting, purchasing, marketing, sales. Each of these tasks is closely interconnect with production processes, which means that
digital transformation will increase the efficiency of the enterprise.
The enterprise, which produces dairy products, has implement the HACCP system, which involves identifying, analyzing, monitoring and managing risks in the process of manufacturing food products from the production stage until they reach store shelves.
Technically, HACCP is a set of document rules and instructions that must be follow by employees. The digital HACCP system not only simplifies the documentation process and transfers it to an electronic format, but also digitalizes the monitoring and management of quality and safety of production on an ongoing basis. In addition, the system allows you to prict potential risks, including possible fines during inspections by regulatory authorities.
Another example is the digitalization of the procurement management process in a manufacturing company.
Example 7
The chief engineer sends a request for the purchase of shock absorbers for a machine tool. The buyer receives his request, and at the same time other requests from specialists of various departments of the enterprise. Requests are sent in writing, by e-mail. When receiving requests, the buyer faces several problems.
