Hurry! Get AI in here!
We see a lot of complicated systems. They aren’t necessarily (or needlessly) complex, there are just usually a lot of moving parts and conveyors doing very specific tasks. Usually, these tasks happen at a massive scale and require a ton of energy to execute. There’s not a client in our books who isn’t looking for some way to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and keep their company and facilities competitive.
For a while, automation has been the name of the game – taking out the repetition and letting the idea of “if this, then that” take control. In some cases, artificial intelligence (AI) is making it onto some factory floors. These days, though, it feels like AI is trying to work its way into everything.
But, suspending my cynicism for a moment, what could AI do for those of us who work and service heavy industry?
Some Upsides:
We’re all about preventative maintenance – we know what parts wear out after so much use, how to lengthen their lifespan, and what to do to prevent downtime. It’s one thing to say “this part has a two-year lifespan,” it’s quite another to say “this thing will break in the next 72 hours.” Yet, that’s what we’re seeing with predictive maintenance systems. With enough data from enough sensors AI applications can find anomalies and highlight a rate of failure. In theory, less downtime and better planning.
AI apps are used across many industries for process optimization – the thing we used to hire “consultants” for to come in and fine tune complicated systems. Now, AI detects patterns and displays data so you can make changes, often in real time, yourself to maximize your output.
Speaking of real-time, quality control is another area facilities are leveraging AI. Not just doing chemical tests or reducing waste, but doing so in real-time so adjustments can be made before losses are incurred.
But it’s not all roses. Properly implementing and using AI systems within your facility can be cost prohibitive. AI is reliant on data, which means you will need loads of input (sensors, databases, etc) and processing for analysis. The more data you have, the more AI can do. But it also means there is more data to store and keep protected from hackers.
There is also the issue of training and implementation. AI is still a very niche field and the personnel needed to make it useful are few and far between. Let’s not forget about the fear of job displacement – will AI create enough roles and jobs to keep people employed for all of the tasks it promises to automate?
Do you need AI today? Probably not. Even the most brilliant technology companies are still figuring out what to do with it. Most companies out there, across just about any industry, aren’t likely to have a need for AI anytime soon. But if it ever comes to that point, careful planning and implementation is key. Vendors will be eager to sell you on the product and get it set up as quick as possible – resist the hype. Know what you want to get out of AI before you start rebuilding your systems around it.
But in the meantime (not to date ourselves) we’re just a phone call away. Our history lends us the experience to help you get your facility on track, no matter what you may need.