The only constant in life is change, especially when it comes to managing future-forward factories. Rather than holding a plant back by using outdated software and time-wasting practices, the future-forward plant manager takes steps to improve productivity by embracing what’s next. If your well-oiled machine is grinding to a halt, here are seven cutting-edge tips to help you take the wrench out of the gears.
Invest in instrumentation and controls services
Instrumentation and control services from partners like Telstar Instruments leverage automation so plant managers can enhance their operational performance. The latest services help increase productivity while reducing costs. These automated systems also increase safety while allowing stakeholders to monitor assets and data in real-time for better decision-making.
Create effective schedules using AI
Rather than scheduling in the old-fashioned way, future-forward plant managers let AI create the schedule. Artificial intelligence can analyze data to make the most cost-efficient schedule. An intelligent computer has no problem crunching the numbers from thousands of employee availabilities and maintenance routines to create schedules that enhance productivity.
Reduce manual intervention
A future-forward plant manager can keep a manufacturing plant running with minimal manual intervention. These factories rely on automation to synchronize data for tracking, scheduling, and minimizing energy and other expenses. Managers rely on AI to adapt to schedule changes for enhanced productivity with agile workplaces.
Embrace management via mobile apps
Future-forward managers can stay in contact with their factory processes through mobile apps. Using this technology, managers don’t need to be on the floor to ensure that production is moving at its peak. Operations should be accessible in the palm of your hand and include cloud-based factory analytics.
Reduce reliance on regularly-scheduled meetings
The old-fashioned way to run a plant was to hold regular in-person meetings. Future-forward plant managers do not need to meet face-to-face with their employees or other stakeholders. These managers can send messages or communicate when the need arises.
Meetings take away from productivity, as they draw employees away from the actual things they did to help increase revenue.
Rely on sensors and the Internet of Things
The Internet of Things is quickly making homes and workplaces more efficient. Sensors can track data to the cloud or mobile apps. These sensors can also share energy consumption, temperature spikes, and other production-related data. Lastly, the IoT can increase connectivity and send messages about equipment that needs repairs.
Focus on ROI
No matter what changes and technology future-forward plant managers choose to implement, they must focus on the return on the investment. Factories of the future need a reliable foundation, which must have the finances to support investments in technology and culture as well as lean principles.
The plant manager can use several forward-thinking strategies. It isn’t practical if a new process negatively affects the bottom line. Operational technologies and information technologies must offer an ROI that makes investments worthwhile to keep the factory functioning at its peak.
Wrap up
The future-forward plant manager has productivity goals and ROI at the heart of every decision. Letting AI make decisions that rely on algorithms gives the manager time to make creative decisions that keep their plants producing well into the future.
