What is Big Data?
Big data is high-volume data sets that are gathered through multiple channels describing a business’s functions on a day-to-day basis.
Five elements make up this kind of technology: variety, velocity, volume, veracity, and value.
Variety: The scope of big data covers many production process areas. The data can be categorized as unstructured, semi-structured, and structured data.
Velocity: This is the speed at which the data is received.
Volume: Big data is called big data due to its massive size. There is a lot of data that is stored and in need of being decoded and analyzed.
Veracity: Serves as the quality control aspect of big data. This guarantees the accuracy of data before it’s used for business insights.
Value: This refers to how useful the collected data is in making business decisions. It’s easy to collect large amounts of data, but it isn’t valuable unless it garners insights.
How is Big Data Generated for Manufacturers?
A modern factory consists of various machines and devices that generate performance tracking data. The software sets can range from computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to a Manufacturing Execution System (MES). For example, at Paper-Less, we have created an ultramodern, fully integrated MES suite to support your manufacturing environment called MV2. The MV2 software works with your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to manage production and send large amounts of dependable data.
Big Data & its Connection to IIoT
As we enter the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) the machines used in factories will advance in their cross-communication capabilities. These machines will have a social network and communicate through the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). This communication is made possible through wireless networks, sensors, chips, and other electronic hardware. The process begins when IIoT devices generate enormous amounts of data, which is stored in a big data system. Then analytic tools are used to examine the stored data. Finally, artificial intelligence technology is used to generate reports and charts.
As manufacturers increase the amount of these devices they use, the amount of big data produced will increase as well. This will increase the demand for big data encoding capabilities to run various reports. The future of big data includes IIoT, and they will work together to create innovative solutions and possibilities for the manufacturing industry.
The Value of Big Data in Manufacturing
Enhance Production Management
Manufacturers’ production process requires the use of multiple factory lines, and some are in various locations. Before big data existed, businesses relied on human estimates to decide product volume, which led to inaccuracies. These discrepancies resulted in manufacturers producing in excess or having product shortages. Big data supplies predictive insights into market demands to reduce waste, overproduction, and shortages. Predictive insights allow teams to compare performance across different sites and pinpoint reasons for differences. This results in all future decisions being based on correct business data.
Improve Efficiency
The manufacturing industry is modeled around speed and efficiency. With proper data analysis, there will be less downtime on machines and increased productivity. Through the IIoT and proper big data, analysis machines can perform predictive and preventive maintenance. These efforts make it easier for your operations team to quickly assess a machine's quality and efficiency over multiple periods. This helps manufacturers find efficient and inefficient processes in their production cycle.
Gain Competitive Edge
Companies are constantly looking for ways to rise above their competitors, and proper big data management is the key to achieving that. Digital transformation is crucial for the longevity of businesses in a bustling market. As companies transition to digital transformation, their data can be centralized and more consistent. When factories have greater insights into their data it becomes easier to analyze market trends and future market forecasts. These efforts will keep your organization one step ahead of the competition.
Final Thoughts
One of the secrets behind enhanced production management, improved efficiency, all while having a competitive edge is through big data analytics. To truly gain an advantage over competitors you need to be analyzing big data accurately to make the best decisions for your company.
Let our team help in aiding the process to help you generate the data you need to meet your customer’s needs.