Automation with the Smart Factory

Digitize your production by successively automating individual processes in a purposeful manner - based on real-time data from the shop floor. Start with the low-hanging fruits, i.e. where you can immediately realize the greatest efficiency gains.

For many medium-sized companies, the upstream and downstream processes mapped in SAP ERP provide a valid basis for automation - all that is needed is an extension regarding machine data logging functionalities. This is exactly what the Smart Factory enables you to do: You can automate and digitize specific processes and integrate them into continuous end-to-end processes.

The flexible approach of the Smart Factory allows you to proceed step-by-step and start exactly where large optimization potentials can be quickly realized. In this way, you digitize your shop floor without having to struggle with the implementation of complex third-party systems (such as an MES).

THE MACHINE DATA LOGGING STAGES OF THE SMART FACTORY

The All for One Smart Factory enables you to drive automation and digitization on the shop floor step-by-step without a large initial investment.

Stage 1: Automation of processes

unidirectional communication

With the Smart Factory you can automate processes based on a unidirectional data exchange from the machine to SAP. Standard events from machines (e.g. order progress, malfunctions or downtimes) are used as triggers for the automation of processes.

In doing so, you do reduce the number of simple, repetitive tasks which your employees have to fulfil. On the one hand, these tasks are no longer potential sources of error, and on the other, automation enables your employees to focus on more value-adding activities (exception-based action).

Stage 2: Starting production orders with the Smart Factory

Bidirectional communication

A simple bidirectional communication is the basis for the next step of automation: Starting production orders through the Smart Factory. In addition to the data flow from the machine to SAP, certain events such as "Set up order" are sent from the SAP to the machine. The Smart Factory provides the start event, the plant starts the production process which the worker only has to monitor then.

This relieves workers - no additional order papers are needed, no settings have to be made or quantities entered at the machine - and multi-machine support on a larger scale becomes possible.

Stage 3: Better Understanding your machines

Data Lake

The Smart Factory Data Lake enables you to establish a condition monitoring for your machines and to start with data analytics: Through the All for One IIoT Connector (a component of the Smart Factory), process, sensor and machine data is read out and loaded into a data lake. There, they can be condensed, put into context and visualized in dashboards. As result, you are always informed in real time about all important events in your production. You will be able to react faster and in a more targeted manner.

CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS AND PROJECTS BASED ON THE SMART FACTORY

Beyond the standardized machine data logging stages, customized solutions and projects based on the Smart Factory are possible. This enables you to automate production processes to an even greater extent.

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