Mobile Manufacturing is a hot topic in the industry, but many manufacturers are clinging to myths holding their company back.
By David Oeters, CIMx Software Corporate Communications
Manufacturers see the advantages of mobile technology on the shop floor. For example, how much more effective could your quality control be if they could implement a hold from the shop floor? How much more effective would your organization be if customer service had access to real time data on production from anywhere? Would leadership meetings benefit from real-time production reports and dashboards?
Mobile manufacturing obviously holds promise, including increased quality, better process control and productivity, but while companies search for information, little benefit has come from these investigations into mobile or collaborative manufacturing. Perhaps it is the misguided belief mobile manufacturing is simply giving iPads to the shop floor employees, or that mobile manufacturing will lose production data, holding companies back.
We wanted to take a few minutes to shine the honest truth on the mobile manufacturing myths. Here are our Top 5 mobile manufacturing myths, and the truth hiding behind the myths:
1. Mobile Manufacturing means putting iPads on the shop floor.
Not necessarily true! You implement as much, or as little, mobile manufacturing as you want. With the right system, you select the devices with access to your data. This could mean executives with mobile access to real-time, shop floor production dashboards, but an employee with a smart phone can’t make changes to work instructions, and your shop floor won’t have access to Facebook. A robust system supporting mobility will offer you more control of production, not less, and become an important tool for increasing efficiency.
2. Mobility is another name for cloud computing, and I’m going to lose control of my data.
In one sense, this is true. PCMag defines cloud computing, in the simplest terms, as accessing data and programs over the internet, usually with a web-based browser. If so, mobile manufacturing is a form of cloud computing... and an excellent way to evaluate the Cloud risk-free! Mobile manufacturing can set up a secure “cloud” inside your company, protecting your data from outside threats while allowing you the security of automated data backups and other cloud-based IT benefits. Think of it as a low-risk first step into the cloud without depending on an outside organization.
3. Mobile manufacturing will expose my data to outside security threats.
As with any new system that works with your data, there is a potential risk, but common-sense precautions will protect your enterprise from risk. Bill Connor, CEO of the security firm Entrust, has
identified a few of the more common misconceptions and myths regarding mobile security. For example, you can see who is connected to your system and what mobile device they are using, and with common-sense precautions, confidential data can be protected even if a device is stolen.
4. Mobile Manufacturing will expose my business to change I can’t control.
One key to success is controlling risk and capitalizing on change. Consider a phased implementation for mobile manufacturing, which gives you complete control of change. You select the change you want and when you implement it, so you never take on more risk than you can handle, guaranteeing an ROI (return on investment) for the project. For example, implement mobile manufacturing in one area, such as quality control. Slowly roll it out to other areas of the enterprise when you have a better understanding of the process, a clear goal for the system, and have achieved an ROI.
5. Mobile devices can’t be trusted.
More errors and inefficiencies are produced by a paper-based manufacturing system than paperless manufacturing, which you will likely achieve with mobile manufacturing.
Research has shown paper-driven processes increase costs, introduce errors, and create compliance issues. In fact, 75.9% of companies
reported significant business risks due to inefficient document-driven processes, including paper-based processes. You may feel more comfortable in a paper-based system, but this is not necessarily what is best for you or your company.
Paperless and mobile manufacturing systems hold a lot of promise for manufacturing, and can make your shop floor more productive. But few manufacturers have taken action on the research. Myths and misinformation are clouding the topic. Visit our website to learn the latest CIMx initiatives in mobile manufacturing, and see what other advantages you might be missing. As you consider possible process improvements for your shop floor, find the truth - don’t let myths get in the way of game-changing ideas.
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