GFT and Google Cloud optimises manufacturing digital infrastructure with data management

“Together with GFT, we’re not only demonstrating how manufacturers can transform their data but their entire factory operations from end to end.”

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As the global digitalisation trend continues, many companies are being left behind due to decades worth of siloed data stands. However, GFT and Google Cloud have been developing digital infrastructure solutions to help manufacturers keep all their data files in the same place. Since 2019, the duo has been leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to aid the process and is now bringing these ambitions to life, and factory floors via its Manufacturing x Digital (MxD) innovation centre.

Through these factory floor demonstrations, the pair can show the real-life implementations of Google Cloud’s Manufacturing Data Engine (MDE). The solution works by allowing companies to store and analyse data from any machine across the entire factory floor. Data files are stored in an easily accessible format, where manufacturers can leverage them using AI and machine learning applications.

How manufacturers can use AI to optimise data files:

  • Predictive maintenance: Users can view real-time and historic data holistically with AI models trained to analyse machinery health in all factory settings. Disruption and inefficiency alerts can also be created.
  • Production forecasting: Heightened data analytics provide improved insights which can help streamline production processes as future demand can be estimated.
  • Quality control: Combining visual AI and robotic technology, users can use the solution’s automation capabilities to analyse the outputs of all machines. As a result, robotic arms can remove unsatisfactory items from the production line.

“With so many new AI capabilities available to them, many companies are working to determine which use cases to put their resources towards in order to have the most significant—and in some cases, the most immediate—impact on their manufacturing processes,” said Scott Hofmann, Chief Revenue Officer, U.S. at GFT. “Our latest work with Google Cloud gives manufacturers the tangible evidence they need to make these decisions, and then quickly execute on them.”

Fabien Duboeuf, Industry Manager of Manufacturing at Google Cloud added, “Together with GFT, we’re not only demonstrating how manufacturers can transform their data, but their entire factory operations from end to end. This showcase provides a hands-on demonstration, and how the art of the possible can be applied industry-wide to introduce a level of innovation, agility and efficiency required to meet customers’ expectations.”