BY VENKATESH CHANDRASEKARAN

Is that a confusing statement? Let’s break it down.

AI thrives on data, but what kind of data can a manufacturing unit provide? Let’s take a structured approach and explore different areas, one at a time.

#1

Facility Management: More Than Just Machines

Your facility has been running for years without major issues. Someone suggests installing more cameras, conducting time and motion studies, and upgrading access control systems. But with tight budgets, you might dismiss these as unnecessary expenses.

A seasoned manufacturing professional might even call it overkill.

But let’s ask ourselves:

• Do we have real-time insights on who enters the facility, how often, and whether proxy attendance exists?
• Do we track what people bring in or take out?
• Are we genuinely prioritizing security, or just staging an annual drill for the sake of compliance?

And it’s not just about security. What about:

• Disaster management & fire safety – Do we monitor risks effectively?
• Pollution control & AQI – Are we tracking air quality inside and outside the facility?
• Water & waste management – Do we measure wastewater treatment and drinking water quality?
• Traffic & parking management – Is congestion data being analyzed?

Do we have solid data on these areas? More importantly, are we even planning to collect it?

Before we talk about AI, let’s first focus on gathering the right data and automating its collection. Only then can AI truly transform manufacturing.

Coming soon: # Manufacturing AI-#2 Energy Management