Are AGVs relevant to your operation? Should you work towards a paperless factory? How do you communicate with customers and suppliers? The Digitalisation Square provides the answers to your questions. In 4 steps, you go through the digitisation process, making it easy to take the next step in Smart Industry.
This year, ESEF Manufacturing, together with specialists from MKG and Supplydrive, is offering a truly interesting meeting place for trade fair visitors. Following on from previous concepts, which were designed to illustrate the contrast between the old and new situations in the field of digitalisation, the focus is now on a ‘square’. The aim: to provide every visitor with independent advice on the next step in digitalisation within their own organisation, regardless of the software they use.
You can learn to digitise
The digitisation process, and the steps you can take in the world of Smart Industry, are important for companies in the manufacturing industry: by focusing on digitisation and automation, you save money, make your production processes more sustainable and respond to the huge shortage of staff. Although the digitisation process is essential for business development, not all companies are ready for this change. But: digitisation can be learned!
As MKG works closely with Supplydrive, which specialises in integrations of and connections between the most common software systems, the company has the right know-how in the field of digital networks.
From orientation to optimisation
According to Eric Bakker, consultancy manager at MKG and owner of Supplydrive, it’s clear: the manufacturing industry is still operating in a fairly conventional way, preferring to use pen and paper. That can – and must – change.“We want to show people: this is another way to do it! A few years on, we now know that we can always help you, whatever stage of digitalisation you’re at.”
The phases Eric Bakker talks about show how far business operations are already digitising the production process. The practice recognises in this:
- The orientation phase: the entrepreneur recognises (container) concepts such as 'Smart Industry' and 'digital factory' through a neighbour, a colleague or the news and focuses on them first.
- The preparation phase: getting the company ready for change. Employees must go along, both in terms of mindset and skills.
"For organisations, it really is a culture change due to changing operations. It also requires more IT skills. The new younger generation adapts to this much more easily."
Eric Bakker
- The Getting Started phase: The company gets started with the first internal software integrations and external lines to customers. This is necessary to eventually set up a digital factory internally and become part of a digital chain externally.
- The optimisation phase: Everything is in place and processes are running. Where can the company still optimise or expand? What are the next steps in the digital world?
At the Digitalisation Square, you will walk through these four stages and ultimately hear what the next steps could be. This will give you appropriate advice for your company.
Smart Industry on the agenda
Not all companies yet have a sharp focus on a topic like digitisation. Eric Bakker: "Often, when I talk to companies about Smart Industry and digitalisation, it turns out that they don't do much about it. While every entrepreneur must have this on the agenda, whatever phase you are in. Otherwise you will drop out of the chain. It is moving so fast, if you look at transition and development, and then you are too late."
With the Digitalisation Square, ESEF Maakindustrie, MKG and Supplydrive want to create awareness and confidence on the above topics: everyone can start this for their company. Moreover, it is not only an important, but also a creative process. Digitising makes work more fun!
Automatic coffee
That it will be fun is shown by the special helper on the exhibition floor: "We have an AGV (automated guided vehicle) driving around, in collaboration with Kumatech, and it provides the coffee. It's a playful way to get acquainted with what's possible with digitisation," says Eric Bakker.
Another example: Hoffmann Group's automated pantry - another great collaboration. This cabinet shows how easy it is to integrate your stock registration with ERP systems.
So, do you need advice on digitising your business? The experts on the square will be happy to talk to you over a cup of coffee.
Fill in the poll
Where does your company stand? Let us know via our poll: To what extent is the Dutch Manufacturing Industry digitised?
By answering this question, we can best help the manufacturing industry with the steps to take. https://forms.gle/5EeQUJ1SjPjRfVv3A
You can find the full programme for the Digitalisation Hub here.
