Rockwell wanted to implement flexible and agile global MES for diverse product portfolio and a variety of manufacturing processes and replace individual ERP systems and custom application with a standardized system that spans all plants.

King's Hawaiian wanted to create a common infrastructure for machine builders for fi rst centralized data-collection system on a greenfield site

Hillshire Brands's weight variance in one-pound sausage rolls was driving up product giveaway and lost revenue.

To develop a hybrid energy system and reduce Flinders Island’s dependence on diesel for electricity

The manufacturing industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the need for enhanced operational efficiency, scalability, and sustainable growth. Traditional industrial practices are being challenged by the rapid evolution of digital technologies, necessitating a shift towards more integrated and data-driven operations. Manufacturers face the challenge of capturing critical insights from existing sites without extensive retrofitting, while also needing to streamline the integration of shop-floor data with cloud-based applications. This requires advanced analytics and improved scalability across multi-site environments. Additionally, there is a need to empower the workforce with AI-driven tools that can enhance productivity, reduce errors, and accelerate decision-making. The challenge is to bridge the gap between traditional industrial practices and modern digital applications, creating solutions that unlock the full potential of industrial data.

Rockwell Automation and Microsoft are addressing the challenge of accelerating industrial automation design and development through the use of generative AI. The companies aim to empower the workforce and reduce time-to-market for customers building industrial automation systems. The integration of AI into automation processes is seen as a key area to streamline processes and enhance worker productivity. The challenge also includes improving design efficiency, mentoring newcomers, and finding relevant information to educate developers. Additionally, the companies are exploring ways to advance innovation in the industrial metaverse, using IoT capabilities, cloud datasets, simulations, and AI to design and build products more effectively, efficiently, and sustainably.