Systems Integration

Systems Integration

Industry 4.0 makes extensive reference to the connected world or environment. The power of the 4th industrial revolution lies in systematically connecting the 9 building blocks that contribute to smart industries, unleashing the full potential of the digital environment. 

We have now all been affected in one way or another by the Covid-19 virus and this will no doubt have a severe and lasting impact on the global economy.  Unfortunately, businesses will perish and supply chains will be severely affected. It's going to be difficult to kick-start the global economy, given the considerable effort required and the need for synchronicity.

The digital environment, and in particular the ability to integrate various elements of commercial and industrial ecosystems could potentially mitigate the economically disruptive impact of Covid-19 lockdown scenarios.  

The smart factory is a case-in-point. At the highest level, Management would still be able to meet their production targets without necessarily being physically onsite. 

Systems integration brings together component subsystems that function as single, coordinated entities. These systems don't necessarily need to be homogeneous when communicating with one another. With full systems integration, financial systems will integrate with HR systems, which will integrate with different billing platforms, and supply chains etc. 

Production managers are able to change machine parameters using their smartphones, and when stock levels are running low, Materials management can action the autonomous guided vehicles to collect and drop off stock at the designated points. 

Systems integration caters for both vertical and horizontal opportunities. End-to-end supply chain communication and visibility is possible as is the ability to integrate with similar entities sharing additional production resources and capacity.

With a fully integrated system, all components that make up the production environment are now able to seamlessly communicate with each other. This provides for new levels of efficacy. 

Let's explore the Covid-19 lockdown as a scenario where Systems integration can be exploited to deliver on urgent challenges. Globally, there is a critical shortage of clinical ventilators that are used to force air and oxygen into the lungs of patients that are unable to breathe on their own. Yes, there are industries that have been given special permission to urgently produce these expensive and complex devices at scale, but let's consider the following local scenario where movement in the Port Elizabeth region remains restricted. 

Propella Entrepreneurs, Management and Engeli, Propella's commercialisation partner are currently working from home, independent of one another, designing a low cost, innovative ventilator (pre-ICU) unit, in conjunction with fast-tracking the business model to support a rapid response to markets in need.  

The design software is circulated to various parties via integrated platforms to ensure rapid design acceptance and prototyping. 3D animated versions are discussed via independent and remote sites. This accelerates time-to-market approval and customer validation. 

Once approved, the designs are forwarded to a 3D printing pool that hosts various printers suited to printing various component parts. Once printed, these components are packaged and couriered to the business/assembly facility, which is remotely designed. Building the supply chain happens concurrent to the design, testing, printing and capacity building processes, resulting not only in rapid product development but in an all-encompassing rapid response model.

The above is all made possible through systems integration.