Speed to value: manufacturing technology that hits the ground running
The word ‘value’ can be a slippery eel to define. Certainly, when it comes to the value delivered by information technologies in the manufacturing arena. Here, the word needs to be elastic enough to stretch across a variety of meanings covering:
- The boost in productivity and performance that a technology directly inspires
- The actual money it can measurably be proven to help save or generate
Furthermore, this idea of value is also tied to the murky concept of ROI, and the time span between initial investment and getting your money back. This latter point is particularly important because it emphasises the need for speed. Few manufacturers have the luxury of investing in a technology (say ERP, IoT, and Manufacturing Execution Systems – or MES) with the expectation that value will arrive “sometime in the future”. Instead, the emphasis is 0n the now. Where the introduction of a new technology needs to happen inside a 2 or 3-month window – not the multi-year engagements favoured by highly paid consultants.
Speed humps
One of the biggest barriers to ‘speed to value’, is the time needed to get a new technology up and running. An intricate process that can only be considered complete when the tech becomes effortlessly blended into an operator’s day-to-day workflow.
But here lies the rub, for most technologies presented to the manufacturing sector come with a hefty price tag for customising the product – often extending to multiple hundreds of hours. Not that this cost can be avoided, as such extensive consultancy is often needed to:
- Model the intricate details (and the data) of a customer’s manufacturing operations
- Integrate this model with the rigid demands made by the in-coming application
- Deliver a change management process for end-user training and associated support
What’s more, it’s this level of adaption that serves to limit the technology’s long-term adaptability to changing operational realities. For example, one of our clients was using a MES solution that had been heavily customised from the outset. Each new upgrade they had to complete was like re-implementing the technology – with all the cost and management hassles that involved.
Last but certainly not least, is the fact that much of the detail behind any prolonged customisation process sits inside the heads of those who do it. When they leave or retire, a business loses much of this vital know-how – thereby elevating the risk of future disruption.
Going full throttle
One of the big differences with MESTEC is that we champion configuration over customisation. As a cloud-based offering, our subscription-based cost includes what you’d expect: software licenses, maintenance and support – alongside application hosting and management. In addition, we also provide full implementation services – including ERP integration, system configuration, and system training.
What this means in practice is that rather than huge upfront costs and customisation, our solution will be configured and live inside a 12-week timeframe (with our consultants on site for at most 30-40 days). That said, our record implementation is just 4 days, so it really does depend on your size and operational complexity!
Moreover, the MESTEC offering brings its own distinct benefits:
- It’s an OpEx cost rather than an extensive CapEx investment
- The level of configurability involved allows you to implement smaller aspects of the solution at first, and to build on success
- As a low code/no code solution, the ease of use also makes it simple for users to implement themselves (including self-serve BI capabilities) – and to minimise reliance on IT
- All upgrades are included in the price to deliver extra peace of mind
The inherent configurability of MESTEC is evident from the word go. In the first few days of an engagement, we’ll be working with the client to determine what information needs to be captured, the data source, and configurations required. Integration with ERP and other production systems is then achieved, and based around the workflows, routings, and operations connected to each specific product. This is done inside a matter of days or weeks, which in turn also helps ensure new configurations can be implemented at speed.
Summing it all up
Speed to value for a MES solution can be a complex equation. Leading with configuration over customisation can make an immediate and long-term contribution. As can the ability for users to implement many capabilities themselves. Ultimately however, any tool needs to be designed around how operators want to use it on the shop floor. This is where technology is seen to work for the individual, delivering the information needed to enhance their productivity. Technology that can be deployed as easily by niche manufacturers with limited IT resource as it can by large multi-national concerns. Where user acceptance training is measured in minutes, before they’re comfortable to get started.
This is MESTEC, and a solution that’s proven to consistently improve labour utilisation rates from a typical starting point of 55% to 80% inside 12 weeks. Now that’s speed to value.
To find out more about the value on offer from MESTEC, get in touch.
