Information has become as valuable an asset for companies as, or even more valuable than, what they produce. Today, any organization that wants to grow must control the information it generates and use it strategically. The world of industry is no stranger to this reality, and the correct management of data in an industrial process is essential for all the activities of the organization to be exploited optimally.
It is understandable that at first it is difficult to see the relationship between data and productivity, but these are concepts that today go hand in hand. If we know precisely and rigorously how our company's assets work, it will be easier to make decisions at all levels: capital investment, effective methodologies, production systems, localization and error reduction, etc. In fact, we can say that the combination of digitization and data management is what helped give birth to what we know today as Industry 4.0.
In this article we will see how data management in an industrial process can boost productivity. Don't miss the keys to this analytical process!
How data management is performed in an industrial process
To understand data management systems we have to talk about Big Data. This discipline is in charge of obtaining, selecting and analyzing data, something that can completely change the situation of a company.
The volume of data that companies of all kinds generate is practically unmanageable. That is why this concept was born, which tries to filter the information to extract conclusions of high strategic value. In this sense, digitalization has been one of the main drivers of this practice, since it greatly facilitates the extraction and selection of information. Without Big Data we cannot conceive the idea of optimal data management in an industrial process.
However, if we have notions in data analysis, we can improve practically any process, whatever it may be. Obviously, Big Data does not work miracles, but it does provide fundamental clues to guide any organization in the right direction.
SCADA and software for data management in an industrial process
If we want to talk about data management in industrial processes, we cannot forget the concept of SCADA. SCADA is the system of supervision, control and data acquisition associated with industrial processes.
One of the main characteristics of this concept is that it allows the control and monitoring of all types of industry processes without the need to be physically on site where they are executed. We emphasize this concept because SCADA is also responsible for collecting all the data linked to those activities it controls within the organization.
Although SCADA is an idea that at the time revolutionized the industrial sector, it is not software per se. It is the concept on which all programs specifically designed to control data management in an industrial process are based. In fact, it is the basis on which all this can be done, which is why we consider it a vital element in any industry organization that wants to embrace digitization.
Without going any further, it is the SCADA-based software that is responsible for managing the PLC, or Programmable Logic Controller, which in turn is dedicated to the automation of electromechanical processes. In this way, and by combining these services, it is possible to automate and control all types of industrial processes for subsequent data extraction, which will allow you to enjoy the benefits presented below.
Benefits of data management in industrial processes
Now that you know how data related to industrial processes are managed, it is time to learn about their specific advantages:
Increased revenue. First of all, we must highlight the reason why companies can survive and continue to produce: their revenues. We all know that without capital, no process, no matter how good, can be executed. Hence, data management in industrial processes is essential for the growth of the organization. In this sense, and according to recent studies on capital investment in data management, it is confirmed that for every dollar dedicated to this phenomenon, there is a return of more than 4 dollars. This gives us a clear idea of how profitable and advisable it is to analyze data related to business activities.
Improved decision making. We have mentioned this factor before, but we would like to elaborate on it. Many companies in the industry sector make the mistake of investing in new technologies without carrying out a prior needs study. Having cutting-edge tools is beneficial for the organization, but their cost is high and not all of them will offer a positive economic return depending on the characteristics of the company, its activities and its products or services. Data management of industrial processes allows us to receive this valuable feedback that reveals which machinery produces better and which is no longer profitable. In this way, we can reinforce investment where the company requires it and not in a generic way. In other words, data management allows us to define better strategies.
Process and inventory optimization. Knowing in depth the information of our own organization will speed up the supply of assets and the control of the current inventory, among other things. If we have proper data management, we can easily calculate the price and quality of each of the products or services we produce, as well as the parts of the machinery we use to produce.
Predictive data. Machines, essential resources in the industrial sector, generate a series of data that they can be "aware of" through programming. In fact, they can use this information to make forecasts that help check their future performance. In addition, this data they manage can also be used to facilitate their maintenance and prevent errors.
Ease of access to data. This last advantage seems obvious, but not all companies give it the value it deserves. In many cases, the lack of data management can generate erroneous, duplicated, inaccurate, etc. information. If this happens, reporting managers will need much more time to do their job and draw conclusions that are probably not as accurate as they should be. Proper data management in an industrial process is the key to allowing any employee to take a look at the numbers and see how the organization is performing. And this is not only useful for the professionals associated with the company, as it can also be an incredible letter of introduction to customers or potential investors. Transparency is, in these cases, extremely important.
Start mastering your company's information
As you have seen, you can boost the productivity of your company's processes through data analysis. To achieve this, you need to have a team of professionals specialized in data analysis and automation on your side, as is the case of Meinsa. Our team of professionals will help you to install the necessary software so that you can carry out an exhaustive data management in industrial processes.
It is understandable that at first it is difficult to see the relationship between data and productivity, but these are concepts that today go hand in hand. If we know precisely and rigorously how our company's assets work, it will be easier to make decisions at all levels: capital investment, effective methodologies, production systems, localization and error reduction, etc. In fact, we can say that the combination of digitization and data management is what helped give birth to what we know today as Industry 4.0.
In this article we will see how data management in an industrial process can boost productivity. Don't miss the keys to this analytical process!
How data management is performed in an industrial process
To understand data management systems we have to talk about Big Data. This discipline is in charge of obtaining, selecting and analyzing data, something that can completely change the situation of a company.
The volume of data that companies of all kinds generate is practically unmanageable. That is why this concept was born, which tries to filter the information to extract conclusions of high strategic value. In this sense, digitalization has been one of the main drivers of this practice, since it greatly facilitates the extraction and selection of information. Without Big Data we cannot conceive the idea of optimal data management in an industrial process.
However, if we have notions in data analysis, we can improve practically any process, whatever it may be. Obviously, Big Data does not work miracles, but it does provide fundamental clues to guide any organization in the right direction.
SCADA and software for data management in an industrial process
If we want to talk about data management in industrial processes, we cannot forget the concept of SCADA. SCADA is the system of supervision, control and data acquisition associated with industrial processes.
One of the main characteristics of this concept is that it allows the control and monitoring of all types of industry processes without the need to be physically on site where they are executed. We emphasize this concept because SCADA is also responsible for collecting all the data linked to those activities it controls within the organization.
Although SCADA is an idea that at the time revolutionized the industrial sector, it is not software per se. It is the concept on which all programs specifically designed to control data management in an industrial process are based. In fact, it is the basis on which all this can be done, which is why we consider it a vital element in any industry organization that wants to embrace digitization.
Without going any further, it is the SCADA-based software that is responsible for managing the PLC, or Programmable Logic Controller, which in turn is dedicated to the automation of electromechanical processes. In this way, and by combining these services, it is possible to automate and control all types of industrial processes for subsequent data extraction, which will allow you to enjoy the benefits presented below.
Benefits of data management in industrial processes
Now that you know how data related to industrial processes are managed, it is time to learn about their specific advantages:
Increased revenue. First of all, we must highlight the reason why companies can survive and continue to produce: their revenues. We all know that without capital, no process, no matter how good, can be executed. Hence, data management in industrial processes is essential for the growth of the organization. In this sense, and according to recent studies on capital investment in data management, it is confirmed that for every dollar dedicated to this phenomenon, there is a return of more than 4 dollars. This gives us a clear idea of how profitable and advisable it is to analyze data related to business activities.
Improved decision making. We have mentioned this factor before, but we would like to elaborate on it. Many companies in the industry sector make the mistake of investing in new technologies without carrying out a prior needs study. Having cutting-edge tools is beneficial for the organization, but their cost is high and not all of them will offer a positive economic return depending on the characteristics of the company, its activities and its products or services. Data management of industrial processes allows us to receive this valuable feedback that reveals which machinery produces better and which is no longer profitable. In this way, we can reinforce investment where the company requires it and not in a generic way. In other words, data management allows us to define better strategies.
Process and inventory optimization. Knowing in depth the information of our own organization will speed up the supply of assets and the control of the current inventory, among other things. If we have proper data management, we can easily calculate the price and quality of each of the products or services we produce, as well as the parts of the machinery we use to produce.
Predictive data. Machines, essential resources in the industrial sector, generate a series of data that they can be "aware of" through programming. In fact, they can use this information to make forecasts that help check their future performance. In addition, this data they manage can also be used to facilitate their maintenance and prevent errors.
Ease of access to data. This last advantage seems obvious, but not all companies give it the value it deserves. In many cases, the lack of data management can generate erroneous, duplicated, inaccurate, etc. information. If this happens, reporting managers will need much more time to do their job and draw conclusions that are probably not as accurate as they should be. Proper data management in an industrial process is the key to allowing any employee to take a look at the numbers and see how the organization is performing. And this is not only useful for the professionals associated with the company, as it can also be an incredible letter of introduction to customers or potential investors. Transparency is, in these cases, extremely important.
Start mastering your company's information
As you have seen, you can boost the productivity of your company's processes through data analysis. To achieve this, you need to have a team of professionals specialized in data analysis and automation on your side, as is the case of Meinsa. Our team of professionals will help you to install the necessary software so that you can carry out an exhaustive data management in industrial processes.