Industrial Automation Magazine India

SMEs need to handle digital transformation in a systematic way

Published on : Friday 18-10-2019

What are the latest trends in automation for the industry?
The latest in automation is the IoT/IIoT based digitisation which is helping the automation industry move towards integration of automation components and IT. Though, the trend is not new – in the past various end customers have worked upon this for integration of various equipment to the IT layer. Back then, it may not have been implemented for the entire Plant, but in bits and pieces as per the requirement. For example, many two-wheeler manufacturers have already installed various solutions such as Andon, Picking Systems, Traceability Systems and Energy Management Systems in different shops.

Now the manufacturing industry is working towards total integration of plant to improve quality, productivity and reduce energy consumed per part produced. Other trends are Robotics, AI, Edgecross, Machine Learning, Predicative Maintenances, etc.

Is the pace of changing technology too rapid for user industries to adjust to?
Not exactly. In past there has been a steady growth in automation, adopting factory automation products like PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, VFDs and servo systems for manufacturing equipment. Going further, there will be growth in robot applications for automation. In India, there are many start-ups and large-scale IT companies that can work upon Digital Transformation for various industry verticals.

Are the user industries, especially SMEs, adequately informed and equipped to handle digital transformation and its challenges?
Of course they are. There have been seminars and events organised by various associations to spread awareness among the industry people about digital transformation. Now, it is a question of when to adopt and how to adopt. The benefits of adopting it depends on individual organisations as there is no specific body to guide them. This leaves every organisation to pick and choose whatever is suitable for their business operations. Small and medium size business enterprise needs to handle digital transformation in a systematic way by involving all stakeholders, especially their existing resources who needs to be trained to become the part of digital transformation.

The Indian market always has its own challenges when it comes to technology adoption, especially the ROI factor. Are things changing?
Things are changing at a slow pace as entrepreneurs are more concerned about the immediate RoI from digitisation process, making them non-committal on the investment to be made in their manufacturing plants. Apart from the lack of mind-set and discipline in adopting technology, there are challenges, especially as old equipment armed with old controllers are being used in production, and they are difficult to communicate with. The resistance also comes from quarters who are afraid that the digitisation will make production process more visible and transparent to all the members.

Is there a fine balance between total automation and safeguarding jobs?
In general, there is an issue with unemployment but there needs to be a balance between automation and jobs. In the manufacturing plants automation and manpower can coexist and will continue the same way. Automation and robotics will play a key role in operations concerning hazardous area, repetitiveness of job, welding equipment and where speed of operations is critical. The existing manpower and resources can be relocated and utilised at other places depending upon the business operations. As per data available, ratio of Industrial Robot per 10,000 people in India is very less and it will take time to have more number of industrial robots in manufacturing industries.

Sunil Mehta is General Manager, Automotive Business Development, Factory Automation & Industrial Division, Mitsubishi Electric India Pvt Ltd