Electricity and Control October 2020

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Analytics are key to industrial transformation

M ESA International (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association), the global industry association focused on manufacturing excellence, and LNS Research, a lead- ing industrial research and advisory firm, have jointly re- leased the latest biennial research study: Analytics That Matter in 2020: A New World . The downloadable eBook is the latest in the much anticipated series that LNS Research and MESA International first began publishing together more than a decade ago. The latest study reveals the criti- cal correlation between analytics and successful industrial transformation. Geared towards manufacturers across various indus- tries, Analytics That Matter in 2020 provides an updated look at where industrial organisations fall within analytics progress, showing there is still much more work to be done to achieve operational excellence. However, based on the biennial survey by LNS Research, the data also shows there has been a promising 52% increase in industrial com- panies with a formal analytics program. The report’s author, LNS Research Analyst Andrew

MESA International is a global, not-for-profit community of manufacturers, producers, industry leaders and solution providers that are focused on improving operations management capabilities through the effective application of information technologies, IT- based solutions, and best practices. To accomplish this, the association: - Enables members to connect, contribute, cultivate understanding, and exchange strategies to drive operations excellence - Collects, shares, and publishes best practices and guidance to drive greater productivity and the overall profitability of the manufacturing enterprise - Educates the marketplace on manufacturing operations best practices through the MESA Global Education Program. Headquartered in the USA, MESA has representative The study will be available for complimentary download for a limited time. The eBook, Analytics That Matter in 2020: A New World , can be accessed via the MESA website. Premium members of the association can also access the eBook in MESA’s Resource Library. turers and their transformation initiatives. In addition, the study reveals a number of key insights: - How analytics are specifically tied to industrial transformation (IX) - What types of analytics are being overlooked and why manufacturers need to refocus - How Covid-19 is impacting the progress of analytics in industrial organisations - The importance of data models and how to build the right ones - What roles are key to analytics success and how to share information effectively to stakeholders within an organisation - Why it’s important not just to add more analytical tools into the mix. Chris Monchinski, MESA Analytics Working Group Chair said, “This biennial study is used by MESA International members and manufacturing leadership across industries to build their operational strategies and improve their perfor- mance. Our latest report with LNS Research is an important resource in helping industrial organisations determine how they can better use their data to improve decision-making throughout the manufacturing process.”

Hughes, said while that is good news, obstacles remain. “The industry still has significant challenges. We have seen only a 39% increase in prescriptive capabilities – well behind the increases in diagnostic and pre- dictive capabilities.” New to the 2020 report is the impact of Covid-19 on manufac-

LNS Research provides research and advisory services to or- ganisations geared towards guiding and accelerating Industrial Transformation (IX) strategy and initiatives. The firm’s research fo- cuses on how digital technology drives IX across the value chain and offers insights into the people, processes, and technologies required for achieving operational excellence. LNS Research publications include quantitative research on trends and best practices, as well as solution selection guides. The company’s expert research analysts work with industrial companies, includ- ing manufacturers in discrete, batch, and process industries, to minimise risks associated with alignment, time, and cost in indus- trial transformation, from assessing readiness through to solution selection and deployment. In this work it uses proven method- ologies to drive convergence between IT and operations teams and to empower team leaders to achieve goals and time-to-value, quickly and confidently. For more information, visit www.lnsresearch.com

offices globally including in South Africa. For more information visit: www.mesa.org.

DIARY DATES – With almost all conferences and exhibitions being cancelled, rescheduled or staged virtually, as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, Electricity + Control will reintroduce the column of Diary Dates as events are scheduled for the year ahead..

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