iTAC Identifies Digital Trends for the Factory

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

The factory of the future is digital, intelligent, and networked. To be able to support these objectives, typical MES functions are merged with complementary solutions for controlling, optimizing and predicting production processes in real time. All these features are bundled in the MOM (Manufacturing Operations Management) system from iTAC Software AG. The iTAC.MOM.Suite helps companies to position themselves for the future. Among other things, analysis, BI and low code functions are currently in particularly high demand.

The iTAC.MOM.Suite manufacturing operations management is the link between the production level and ERP/PLM. The iTAC solution provides the basis for modern production control and analysis through a direct connection to the shop floor in real time and through high-performance processing. These are all basic prerequisites for the development of a networked, intelligent factory.

Collect and analyze data

"The value of data increases with the ability to collect it and apply it to various tasks. Process optimization cannot take place without data collection and analysis. Only those who know conditions and weaknesses can improve them. At the same time, data forms the basis for predictive processes. Analytics tools linked to manufacturing management systems are therefore gaining in importance. The data must first be collected and reliably transmitted to higher-level systems," explains Martin Heinz, board member of iTAC Software AG.

As a machine integration platform, the iTAC.SMT.Edge takes over the standardization and centralization of data. Analysis tools such as the iTAC.IIoT.Edge can then, for example, combine IIoT data with MES data to form flat data structures and analyze this data in real time. An interface allows data to be extracted, merged and transformed from different sources. The ability to implement algorithms from multiple sources, as well as compatibility with other data science tools and internal or external cloud infrastructures, provides the flexibility required today. A centralized platform approach can eliminate silo use cases running on a non-managed infrastructure.

Transparency with Business Intelligence

Business intelligence services are also in increasing demand for analysis purposes and as a basis for making well-grounded decisions. "BI services have been around for years, but they are becoming increasingly important on the road to the digital factory. They enable transparency and control of processes," says Martin Heinz.

iTAC's BI.Service functions as a central instrument for data preparation, analysis and reporting. As a web application, it also enables mobile access to all key production figures of a global network of plants and thus provides the necessary transparency in the operational and strategic management of production. With the new SPC-Charts bundle – a standard procedure for regulating processes using statistical methods – production can be optimally monitored and controlled in terms of quality.

Low code: Configurate instead of programming

"We are currently identifying another trend: Low-code programming appeals to many companies because software functions and applications can be created in less time and without in-depth programming knowledge," explains Martin Heinz. The low-code applications for simplified integration of customer-specific HMIs are a central component of the iTAC.MOM.Suite architecture. Changes to the business logic or the creation of individual user interfaces can be implemented almost without any programming knowledge. Combined with a workflow management system in which business processes can be graphically modeled, rapid software development and process integration is possible with reduced costs for the customer.

"In summary, the current trends for manufacturing that we are observing are moving in the direction of simplifying and analyzing processes. These are the first steps towards shaping the technologies of the future based on artificial intelligence and machine learning," says Martin Heinz.