Manufacturers desperately want faster results from their Industry 4.0 and digital transformation projects. The promise of lightweight apps sparkles, but most companies lack the essential data infrastructure. So, it was eye-opening to understand what serial entrepreneur John Oskin has been up to at Sage Clarity.
These are apps that, after a few weeks’ implementation, can transform data in many dimensions. This includes connection to machines for data collection, transforming data into analyzed intelligence for metrics and root cause analysis, alerts, and collaboration between people.
The apps have come together in the past six years; previously, Sage Clarity was primarily a services provider. The company now offers three apps that major household-name manufacturers already use.
ABLE is the flagship app for machine and line or cell-level data collection with logic at the edge. This IoT platform models and monitors machines and lines with no changes to PLC code. The company claims five times the data fidelity and a 70% reduction in integration cost. ABLE logic for root cause analysis of speed loss and faults of machines, lines, and conveyors is published via PTC’s Kepware. Digital replay is available for deeper examination of issues. ABLE configurations are stored centrally for enterprisewide management and reuse. Deployment speed is notable: one customer did a 12-plant rollout in under 12 months. Another claims it saves them over a month per site on digital transformation efforts. ABLE can work alone or as a data pump feeding other IoT platforms.
One View is manufacturing intelligence based on the ABLE data structure, with common KPIs such as OEE, OTIF, and quality metrics preconfigured. One View is cloud-based, with drill-down and roll-up views for enterprise users as well as local performance dashboards. The mobile-native user interface enables roaming and remote workers.
NextGen Andon can digitalize traditional #andon approaches: anyone who spots an issue can capture them, trigger alerts, and collaborate with experts. The system also creates follow-ups to ensure problem resolution and monitor corrective actions. One of the best features is that the API library enables this “connected worker” functionality to be embedded in MES, EAM, ERP, HMI, and other systems.
The deep industry background of the team shines through not only in what the software is and does but in what it does not require. Gathering data from equipment does not require PLC programming; enabling manufacturing intelligence or root cause analysis does not demand installing or replacing an MES; creating an andon call for help system does not require a separate interface if you have an MES or HMI.
As Sage Clarity forms partnerships beyond the one with Epicor, I expect to see more companies accelerate digital transformation. Thanks, John Oskin, Marc Bertrand, and, Jessica Morrison, for taking the time to get me up to speed. And thanks to Amy J Campbell for the intro!
