We’ve been seeing words like digitalization, Industry 4.0, and countless abbreviations such as MES/MOM, PDM, and APS everywhere for quite some time. And lately, the all-saving artificial intelligence—AI—has emerged as if by magic.
I’m a firm believer in common sense—in this case, gradual and continuous improvement. That’s why I strongly recommend that those who feel like they’ve missed the train (or are about to) take a firm but step-by-step approach. Instead of hoping for AI miracles, it’s better to catch up one carriage at a time.
From my perspective, the most crucial step is implementing an MES system. Not that production can’t still be managed the old-fashioned way for a while, but with MES:
- You gain hard data from machines and operators, providing a solid foundation for further progress.
- You automate key manufacturing processes.
- You achieve the first real savings and efficiency improvements.
Great! This is a ride worth taking. When I invest in a proper MES system (not just a cheap gadget that only collects data and offers basic functionalities like work reporting), I can gradually introduce more and more features—user scenarios ranging from simple ones to more advanced ones like APS capacity planning. The next step might be implementing and integrating systems such as PDM, and so on.
Once you have reliable data and optimized processes, then it makes sense to start thinking about AI. Because without data, AI is… well, completely dumb.
So, are you taking it step by step, carriage by carriage? Or do you believe in the magic of an instant AI miracle?
Tomáš Hradský
CEO
PHARIS, s.r.o.
