| |October 20199thus equipment up-gradation se-lection, automation aspects and execution is appropriately made. For example, if an inspection re-port to be recorded and processed, the equipment which is used for measurement has to be upgraded to capture the inspection dimen-sion digitally and linked. To start with, it is a better op-tion to identify one of the critical machine or process, define the KPIs to be monitored for it de-signed expectations in terms of Quality, Safety, Productivity, Ma-chine health, and if anything criti-cal. Information required in terms of Cp, Cpk, OEE, and MTTR. MTBF, Alarms which accordingly mea-suring instruments, PLC triggers, records linked to a central server to store the data and software in-stallations for processing the re-corded data.Many of us compare Europe-an, US companies to the level of digitization and judge that India is far behind for this level of mod-ernization and will be expensive to implement and experience. In addition to that many service-pro-vides are equipped with standard software and systems which can be of use but with high costs. As the industry has grown over years, companies have opted to develop their suppliers from a component supplier to sub-system supplier in-turn reducing the supply chain in-efficiencies. Many backward and forward integration have evolved and Tier - 2 Medium scale companies have emerged as one of the drivers for OEMs. Even though Tier-2 companies have increased their business, their efficiencies and bottom-line improvement war are still under trouble and strug-gling to take up on-time decisions.When it is said tailor made, it is important to know that what are the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to be monitored or priori-tized which helps their own orga-nization performance. Many ex-periments of connecting the PLCs through simple software and free-lancing test systems have evolved but it is very important to know the platform and security norms being incorporated. This is one of the crucial and initial stages for deciding the level of digitization, up-gradation or system develop-ment. Also the scaling of digiti-zation in the industry for next few years is important to develop a suitable and reliable system. To keep the business better in the Indian industry scenario baring OEMs, many Tier-1 and Tier-2 com-panies procure or build equipment for basic requirement to keep ex-pense low, meet the quality and delivery requirements. Most of the equipment's with these tier 1 ad tier 2 companies have older gener-ation controls which are not com-patible to digitization.Indian companies should start their digital transformation now. Indian industry is operates in very frugal environment. Every aspect of automation is an investment and adding value, hence necessary to think thru on identifying crit-ically required parameters only, remaining to be built with equip-ment design to have better inter-locks for machine performance. Use technology which is already matured, believe in technology for moving forward. Using a step by step approach with matured tech-nology, integrate it. Digitization in many of our day to day trans-actions has already been in use which has taken only few years to get adopted. It is a culture and it has to be absorbed by individ-uals, decision makers and Com-panies. Progressively companies should start implementing the tools of digitization, course cor-rect it, apply PDCA cycle (PLAN, DO, CHECK, ACT), improve and elevate to next level of prediction and auto-correction. This is high time that Indian industry to get to know the tech-nology, evolve their own monitor-ing KPIs to start digitizing the equipment and information shar-ing to have a better control over process / product to serve the growth and support Make in India initiative. BEST BENEFIT FROM DIGITIZATION WOULD BE OBTAINED ONLY WHEN THE DATA IS AUTOMATICALLY PICKED AND PROCESSEDRajendra Abhange,CTO & Senior Director
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