Authors: Mario Zuniga and Dave Beliveau

42Q and ChromeOS: Driving Efficiency and Productivity Gains for Manufacturers

The manufacturing floor is undergoing a palpable shift. Where confusion and inefficiency once prevailed, quiet confidence now reigns. This transformation is driven by a simple yet powerful idea: bring the speed, simplicity, and security of the consumer world to the industrial realm. 42Q recognized the potential of ChromeOS and Chrome Enterprise to upgrade the factory floor, and by seamlessly integrating our Manufacturing Execution System (MES) with these intuitive tools, we unlocked a new level of efficiency for manufacturers of all sizes.

Equipped with Chromebooks and 42Q MES, each employee moves with purpose and precision. Real-time data replaces outdated paper trails, empowering workers with instant access to work instructions, production metrics, and troubleshooting guides – all at their fingertips. Meanwhile, managers utilize comprehensive dashboards to identify and address potential bottlenecks proactively, optimizing workflows and maximizing output.

This synergy fosters a culture of informed decision-making, enhanced productivity, and continuous improvement. It's not just about streamlining operations; it's about creating a new paradigm of efficiency—a symphony of productivity orchestrated by 42Q MES and ChromeOS — setting the standard for the modern factory floor. This integration has resulted in 42Q MES becoming a Google Chrome Enterprise Recommended solution, delivering a unified, secure, and cost-effective platform that empowers every worker, from the shop floor to the top floor.

42Q MES: A Chrome Enterprise Recommended Solution for Manufacturing Excellence

Google Chrome Enterprise Recommended is a program by Google that assists businesses in identifying and choosing reliable cloud-based solutions that seamlessly integrate with ChromeOS. Google thoroughly evaluates these solutions to ensure they meet rigorous standards for security, usability, and performance. The program covers a wide range of business needs, such as productivity tools, security software, collaboration platforms, etc. By optimizing solutions for ChromeOS devices, the program ensures a smooth user experience.

42Q MES proudly displays the prestigious Google Chrome Enterprise Recommended badge, signifying its ability to seamlessly integrate with ChromeOS and provide an exceptional user experience. This recognition highlights 42Q's dedication to delivering a superior solution for manufacturers, meeting Google's stringent standards for security, usability, and performance.

The Power of Two: A Winning Combination for Manufacturers

Combining the power of 42Q's robust MES capabilities with the user-friendly ChromeOS interface creates a dynamic platform that optimizes manufacturing operations and gives businesses a competitive edge across their entire operation.

But how does this winning combination benefit you?

Effortless Deployment

• Rapid Deployment: Compared to other operating systems, ChromeOS deploys up to 63% faster with no imaging required because devices automatically download users’ apps, settings, and bookmarks stored in a cloud profile (Source:IDC Business Value Paper, sponsored by Google, The Business Value of ChromeOS, doc #49920522, March 2023).

• Centralized Management: Deploy Chromebooks across your organization with ease, utilizing centralized management through the Google Admin console. With the cloud-based Admin console, your IT team can configure over 600 policies, control updates, and manage apps from anywhere. With ChromeOS, device management is 36% more efficient and 36% easier to manage than other operating systems (Source:IDC Business Value Paper, sponsored by Google, The Business Value of ChromeOS, doc #49920522, March 2023). Even with robust controls, it's easy to get started with Google's recommended default guidelines. Your IT team can oversee everything from a single location, ensuring a consistent and streamlined experience for all users.

Built-in and proactive security

Protect valuable data with ChromeOS devices. Their built-in security features, automatic updates, and the Google-designed Titan C security chip provide continuous protection against cyber threats, ensuring that your identity and system integrity remain secure. Experience 24% fewer security attacks compared to other operating systems (Source:IDC Business Value Paper, sponsored by Google, The Business Value of ChromeOS, doc #49920522, March 2023).

Cost Efficiency

• Device Affordability: Maintain control of your budget with the affordability of Chromebooks and the comprehensive capabilities of 42Q MES. ChromeOS is designed to minimize costs and energy consumption over time. By making the switch, businesses could reduce device costs by 44%, providing cost savings, time efficiencies, and productivity gains worth an average of more than $1,700 per device over three years  (Source:IDC Business Value Paper, sponsored by Google, The Business Value of ChromeOS, doc #49920522, March 2023).

• Reduced IT Overhead: Eliminate the need for expensive on-premise infrastructure and separate software licenses, streamlining IT management and reducing the need for costly on-site support.

Productivity Powerhouse

Empower your workforce with a unified workspace that provides all the necessary tools and applications within easy reach. 42Q MES fosters seamless collaboration, regardless of location, and allows for personalized workspaces to optimize individual efficiency. For example, workers can access interactive work instructions and 3D models directly on their Chromebooks, and instantly report production issues with a few taps. ChromeOS also contributes to decreased employee downtime with 77% higher productivity due to faster reboots (Source:IDC Business Value Paper, sponsored by Google, The Business Value of ChromeOS, doc #49920522, March 2023).

Adaptability and Growth

Scale your operations effortlessly with 42Q's cloud-based architecture, adapting to changing needs with ease. Explore the benefits firsthand with a 90-day proof of concept before fully committing. Empower your remote teams with secure access to essential resources, regardless of their location.

Unlocking Exceptional Value for Your Manufacturing Operations

42Q's inclusion in the Google Chrome Enterprise Recommended program reinforces our dedication to providing exceptional value to manufacturers. By collaborating with Google, we leverage the extensive reach and capabilities of ChromeOS and Chrome Enterprise to ensure that our MES solutions are accessible to businesses of all sizes. This partnership enables us to deliver a seamless, secure, and user-friendly manufacturing experience that empowers teams to work more efficiently, make data-driven decisions, and drive continuous improvement.

Ready to upgrade your factory floor? Schedule a demo today to see 42Q and Chrome Enterprise in action! SCHEDULE A DEMO

Author: Keith Fuqua | Date: August 12, 2024

42Q's AI Chatbot Solves Manufacturing's Biggest Customer Support Challenges

Introducing a New Era of Manufacturing Support

The manufacturing industry is on the cusp of a transformative era. As automation and data analysis become increasingly critical, manufacturers are constantly seeking intelligent solutions to elevate efficiency, optimize operations, and empower their workforce. 42Q is a leading innovator at the forefront of this industry evolution. We are firmly committed to developing cutting-edge solutions that address the evolving needs of manufacturers, and our latest offering – the 42Q intelligent chatbot built on the robust Amazon Bedrock platform – is a testament to this unwavering dedication.

The Need for Automated Solutions 

The modern manufacturing floor faces a myriad of challenges:

• Language Barriers and Global Reach: Manufacturers often struggle to provide effective customer support across diverse regions and languages. This can hinder communication, limit market reach, and negatively impact customer satisfaction.
• Complex System Integration: Integrating new technologies into existing manufacturing systems can be a daunting task, often requiring significant time, resources, and expertise. This can delay implementation and create operational disruptions.
• Slow Development Cycles: Developers often face challenges navigating complex API documentation and generating code samples, leading to lengthy development cycles and potential errors.
• One-Size-Fits-All Solutions: Many manufacturing solutions lack the flexibility to adapt to unique processes and products, limiting their effectiveness and requiring costly customizations. Additionally, as businesses grow, their support needs evolve, and inflexible solutions can become future nightmares.

42Q's AI-Powered Chatbot: A Catalyst for Transformation 

At 42Q, we are pioneers in manufacturing technology, and we are tackling these challenges head-on with our AI-powered chatbot. Built on Amazon Bedrock, our chatbot is revolutionizing manufacturing operations through a range of transformative features:

• Multilingual and Multi-Source Intelligence: The chatbot's ability to understand and respond in the customer's native language breaks down communication barriers, fostering better relationships and expanding market reach. Furthermore, its ability to draw information from various sources, including wikis, whitepapers, and videos, ensures comprehensive and accurate answers to customer queries.
• Seamless Integration: The chatbot is designed to seamlessly integrate within the 42Q ecosystem, ensuring a smooth and efficient user experience without disrupting your existing 42Q workflows.
• Code Generation for Developers: By guiding customers through 42Q's extensive API collection and generating code samples on demand, the chatbot empowers developers to accelerate their work. This feature not only streamlines the development process, it also reduces the potential for errors, leading to faster innovation cycles.
• Customizable and Scalable Solution: Built on Amazon Bedrock, the chatbot can be tailored to specific manufacturing processes and products, ensuring it delivers relevant and actionable information. Moreover, its scalability allows it to grow alongside your organization, meeting the evolving needs of your business without requiring significant investment or reconfiguration.

Join the Manufacturing Revolution with 42Q 

Ready to unlock the full potential of your manufacturing operations? Contact us to learn more.

Author: Laura Reyna | Date: July 2, 2024

How 42Q Cloud-based MES Powers Success Across Multiple Industries

42Q is a leader in providing cloud-based manufacturing solutions, delivering robust and scalable services that help diverse industries embrace digital transformation. From automotive to medical systems, and industrial, each sector benefits uniquely from 42Q’s technology, driving efficiency, compliance, and innovation. Keep reading to explore the range of industries that 42Q serves and how its solutions are tailor-made to meet specific industry challenges.

Automotive Industry

In the fast-paced automotive industry, manufacturers face constant pressure to innovate while managing costs and maintaining quality. 42Q’s cloud solutions facilitate real-time monitoring and control of manufacturing processes, enabling automotive plants to enhance production efficiency and quality while supporting IATF 16949 compliance. With features such as predictive maintenance and supply chain optimization, automotive clients can reduce downtime and respond more swiftly to market demands.

Aerospace and Defense

For the aerospace and defense sector, compliance with stringent regulatory standards is as crucial as operational efficiency. 42Q helps these industries ensure compliance with standards such as AS9100 and ITAR. The cloud-based system allows for seamless tracking and documentation of manufacturing processes, which is vital for meeting audit requirements and maintaining high levels of quality control.

Medical Systems

In the medical systems industry, where precision and compliance are critical, 42Q plays a pivotal role. The industry demands strict adherence to regulatory standards, including ISO 13485, 21 CFR Part-11, EU MDR and MDSAP. 42Q equips manufacturers with the tools needed to enhance traceability, ensure quality, and manage compliance effectively.

42Q’s solutions enable medical device manufacturers to maintain high standards in production and quality assurance. With features that support electronic medical record retrieval during regulatory audits, these solutions ensure that medical device manufacturers can manage sensitive data securely and maintain audit readiness. This not only streamlines production but also supports compliance with critical health and safety regulations.

Electronics Manufacturing

The electronics manufacturing sector benefits from 42Q’s ability to rapidly deploy scalable solutions that improve product lifecycle management, enhanced quality control and reduce time to market and production costs. By leveraging increased traceability of materials and components, having real-time Work-In-Process (WIP) visibility, better quality control, process automation and ability to meet specific customer requirements, electronics manufacturers can optimize their processes and reduce waste, improve customer satisfaction which is essential in an industry characterized by rapid product obsolescence and innovation cycles.

The scalability and flexibility of 42Q allows manufacturers to meet their business and operations needs to accommodate growth and to quickly respond to changing market expectations.

Industrial

42Q's cloud solutions offer unmatched strength, catering to the diverse requirements of the industrial sector with its diverse capabilities. From mining to heavy machinery, large commercial printers to specialized packaging materials, and even renewable energy systems, 42Q supports seamless integration. By providing real-time visibility, efficient recipe management, serialization, labeling, and customizable process controls, 42Q empowers industries to achieve improved operational efficiency, innovative processes, and increased production outputs on demand.

42Q's cloud solutions leverage cutting-edge technologies like motion control, advanced chemistry, precision machining, and meticulous alignment to deliver unprecedented real-time insights into complex manufacturing operations. By harnessing the power of these advanced technologies, businesses gain the ability to proactively manage production, minimize costly downtime, and optimize processes from end to end, ensuring superior efficiency and quality regardless of the scale or complexity of their operations.

Conclusion

42Q understands that each industry has distinct requirements and challenges in the digital realm. Our cloud-based solutions are crafted to address these specific needs, allowing businesses to harness the power of technology to optimize operations, maintain compliance, and drive innovation. As industries continue to transform and face new obstacles, 42Q is dedicated to providing forward-thinking solutions that empower businesses to not only adapt but flourish in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Author: Mike Nashadka | Date: June 7, 2024

Elevating cybersecurity in manufacturing: Strategies and solutions

In an era where manufacturing intersects with cutting-edge digital technologies, cybersecurity has emerged as a foundation of operational integrity and reliability. As manufacturers embrace smart manufacturing, the complexity and connectivity of systems increase. This presents new challenges and risks in cybersecurity. This blog explores essential cybersecurity strategies and solutions that can help manufacturers safeguard their operations in a connected world.

The Importance of Cybersecurity in Smart Manufacturing

The advent of Smart Manufacturing has brought about a revolution in efficiency and productivity, but has also introduced new risks. Cybersecurity threats can compromise not only financial and operational aspects but also the safety of employees and customers. Protecting manufacturing data, intellectual property, and the integrity of automated processes is paramount. At the core of an effective cybersecurity strategy are the three fundamental principles of: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. Ensuring these principles are upheld is essential to safeguarding manufacturing operations in a connected world.

Strategies for strengthening cybersecurity

Risk assessment

Regularly evaluate your manufacturing systems and processes to identify potential vulnerabilities. This involves conducting comprehensive security audits, performing penetration testing, and continuously monitoring for any unusual activities. For example, a manufacturing company might conduct quarterly security assessments to uncover and address risks before they can be exploited. By identifying potential threats early, manufacturers can implement targeted cybersecurity measures that are specific to their unique operational needs.

Layered security approach

Implement multiple layers of security, including firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and encryption to protect manufacturing networks and devices. This Defense-in-Depth strategy provides several lines of defense, making it harder for attackers to penetrate systems. Additionally, employing Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions helps monitor and respond to threats in real-time. For instance, 42Q's systems utilize advanced SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) technologies to provide real-time analysis of security alerts generated by hardware and applications.

Employee training

Educate your staff about cybersecurity best practices and the importance of maintaining secure systems. Human error is often the weakest link in cybersecurity defenses. To mitigate this, implement ongoing training programs and regular phishing simulations to ensure employees remain vigilant and informed. For example, conduct monthly workshops and quarterly simulations to keep cybersecurity top-of-mind and reinforce the importance of adhering to security protocols.

Regular updates and patches

Ensure that all software and hardware are up to date with the latest security patches. Vulnerabilities in outdated systems can serve as entry points for cyberattacks. Establish, and follow, a documented routine to identify & mitigate these risks. For instance, set up automated patch management systems to regularly check for and apply updates, reducing the window of opportunity for potential attacks. Regularly reviewing and updating security policies can also help keep defenses aligned with evolving threats.

Collaboration with experts

Work with cybersecurity experts and service providers who specialize in industrial environments. Their expertise can help tailor cybersecurity solutions to the unique needs of smart manufacturing. Regular third-party audits and compliance checks, such as achieving SOC 2 Type 2 certification, demonstrate a strong commitment to cybersecurity. For example, partnering with a cybersecurity firm to perform annual audits ensures that security measures are effective and up-to-date. Additionally, leveraging expert guidance can aid in developing robust incident response plans to swiftly address any breaches.

Solutions for cybersecurity in manufacturing

Adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity involves integrating advanced solutions that can preemptively identify and mitigate threats. 42Q employs real-time monitoring systems that continuously scan for vulnerabilities and potential breaches across all connected devices. Their AI-driven threat detection algorithms analyze data patterns to identify and respond to anomalies before they can escalate into serious threats.

Moreover, 42Q utilizes secure cloud storage solutions to safeguard sensitive manufacturing data, ensuring that all information is encrypted both in transit and at rest. This not only protects against data breaches but also ensures compliance with industry regulations. Additionally, 42Q's platforms come equipped with integrated cybersecurity features such as automated patch management and multifactor authentication, streamlining the implementation of robust security measures and reducing the burden on IT teams.

42Q's integration with SIEM systems enables comprehensive real-time analysis and correlation of security events, providing a holistic view of the security landscape and facilitating quick responses to potential threats. By leveraging these advanced technologies and tools, 42Q helps manufacturers enhance their cybersecurity posture, protect their operations, and maintain the integrity of their smart manufacturing environments.

Conclusion

42Q’s digital transformation solutions for manufacturing are designed with security at their core. Offering end-to-end encryption for interfaces and APIs, multiple levels of network security including firewalls, regular security updates, and compliance with industry standards (i.e. SOC 2 Type 2), 42Q helps manufacturers protect their operations from cyberthreats while enabling the benefits of smart manufacturing.

Author: Wellington Giolo | Date: April 10, 2024

How AI and machine learning are shaping production lines

In today’s quickly evolving industrial landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) stand out for their potential to revolutionize production lines. These technologies are not just buzzwords, but important tools for enhancing operational efficiency, improving product quality, and reducing downtime. AI and ML are transforming production from the bottom up, with 42Q’s innovative solution leading this digital revolution.

The impact of AI and ML on production efficiency

AI and ML technologies change the game for optimizing production processes. By analyzing vast amounts of data, these technologies can predict equipment failures, streamline supply chains, and ensure that  production meets the highest standards of quality. This predictive capability is amazing at minimizing downtime and enhancing productivity, leading to significant cost savings and increased competitiveness in the market.

Enhancing quality control with AI

Quality control is another area where AI and ML are making substantial contributions. Through advanced algorithms and image recognition technologies, AI systems can identify defects and irregularities in products with greater accuracy than human inspectors. This not only improves the overall quality of products but also reduces waste and the need for costly recalls.

The role of 42Q in smart manufacturing

42Q, a leader in cloud-based manufacturing solutions, is leveraging its partnership with AWS to bring the benefits of AI and ML to production lines worldwide. 42Q’s solutions integrate seamlessly with AWS’s powerful computing resources, enabling manufacturers to implement smart manufacturing practices effortlessly. These solutions offer real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and analytics capabilities, empowering manufacturers to make data-driven decisions and stay ahead in the digital era.

Conclusion

AI and ML are not just transforming production lines; they are setting new standards for efficiency, quality, and innovation in manufacturing. As companies continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, the future of manufacturing looks brighter than ever. Embracing these technologies is not an option for manufacturers aiming to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution; it’s a necessity.

Author: Wellington Giolo | Date: April 3, 2024

Navigating the New Digital Era: The Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) represents a fundamental shift in the way we live, work, and relate to one another. It is characterized by a fusion of technologies that blur the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres. 4IR is particularly significant for industry, and 42Q’s solutions and its partnership with AWS are pivotal in navigating this transformation.

The pillars of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

4IR is built on the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and 3D printing. These technologies enable an interconnected and intelligent industrial ecosystem, offering unprecedented opportunities for productivity and growth.

The impact of 4IR on industries

The advent of 4IR is transforming industries by enabling more flexible, efficient, and customer-focused production and service models. It encourages innovation, enhances operational efficiency, and facilitates the creation of new value chains and business models. However, it also presents challenges, including cybersecurity concerns, the need for skilled labor, and the importance of sustainable development.

42Q’s contribution to navigating 4IR

42Q, in partnership with AWS, is at the forefront of helping businesses embrace the opportunities of 4IR. Their cloud-based collaborations offer the agility, scalability, and security that industries need to thrive. These solutions are critical for adapting to and leading in the new digital era.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency

42Q’s solutions streamline manufacturing processes by taking full advantage of the scalability and flexibility of cloud computing. Integrating AI and IoT technologies, these systems automate routine tasks, reduce human error, and optimize production schedules. This leads to more efficient use of resources, lower costs, and faster time to market. Real-time data processing capabilities let manufacturers quickly adjust to changes in demand, supply chain disruptions, or other operational challenges, ensuring that production is always running at peak efficiency.

Enabling Predictive Maintenance

Predictive maintenance is another area where 42Q’s solutions excel. Advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms predict equipment failures before they happen, scheduling maintenance only when needed. This proactive approach reduces downtime, extends the life of machinery, and cuts down on unexpected repair costs. By analyzing historical data and identifying patterns, 42Q’s solutions can also recommend improvements in maintenance schedules and operational practices, further enhancing the longevity and reliability of production equipment.

Informing Decision Making with Real-Time Analytics

The ability to make informed decisions quickly is crucial in today’s fast-paced manufacturing environments. 42Q’s solutions provide managers and operators with real-time analytics and insight into every aspect of the production process. From monitoring the performance of individual machines to tracking the efficiency of entire production lines, 42Q’s analytics tools help identify bottlenecks, assess productivity, and uncover opportunities for improvement. This data-driven approach ensures that decision makers have the information they need to optimize operations, improve product quality, and respond to market trends with agility.

Employing the Full Potential of 4IR Technologies

The integration of 42Q solutions with the robust AWS cloud infrastructure enables businesses to take full advantage of the potential of 4IR technologies. Whether it’s employing AI for smarter production planning, using IoT devices for enhanced monitoring and control, or applying big data analytics for deeper insights, 42Q and AWS together provide a comprehensive platform that supports the digital transformation journey. This synergy empowers businesses to navigate the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and positions them to capitalize on its opportunities.

Conclusion

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is reshaping the industrial world, offering both challenges and opportunities. As businesses seek to navigate this new era, partnerships such as the 42Q/AWS collaboration will be crucial for harnessing the power of digital transformation. By embracing these changes, businesses can unlock new levels of innovation, efficiency, and growth.

Author: Wellington Giolo | Date: February 28, 2024

Introduction: Pioneering Sustainable Manufacturing with 42Q

In the era of digital transformation, sustainability has become a pivotal concern for manufacturers. 42Q, a Sanmina division, stands at the forefront of this revolution as the only full-featured, cloud-based Manufacturing Execution System (MES) hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). This blog explores how 42Q leverages the power of cloud computing to enhance sustainability in manufacturing processes.

The Edge of Cloud-Based MES in Manufacturing

Transforming Operations with 42Q’s Cloud-Based MES

Research conducted by the international analyst firm 451 Research indicates that migrating on-premises workloads to AWS can significantly reduce the workload carbon footprint by at least 80%, a figure that can climb to an impressive 96% once AWS attains its 100% renewable energy goal by 2025. You can learn more about how workloads on AWS are helping enterprises meet their carbon neutral and sustainability targets here.

42Q’s cloud-based MES is built on the AWS cloud so that 42Q customers can benefit from both the AWS cloud infrastructure sustainability commitments and the efficiencies and optimizations that support companies reaching carbon neutral commitments. By rapidly digitizing shop floor operations and improving efficiency and transparency across supply chains, 42Q MES eliminates on-premises hardware while empowering manufacturers with real-time visibility and actionable insights, essential for driving sustainable practices.

Achieving Sustainability Through AWS Integration

AWS’s focus on efficiency and renewable energy—aiming for 100% renewable energy usage by 2025—significantly contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of cloud-based operations. This was a significant factor in 42Q selecting AWS as its cloud partner and making 42Q the only fully featured cloud MES solution in the market today. This integration allows 42Q to offer a solution that not only optimizes manufacturing processes but also aligns with global sustainability goals.

Success Stories: 42Q in Action

A Global Manufacturer: A Case of Enhanced Efficiency

By modernizing to 42Q MES, A global manufacturer was able to remove over 500 servers from their facilities. 42Q’s multi-tenant solution operates on AWS’s energy-efficient and environmentally friendly cloud platform, allowing the manufacturer to continue to support its customers without the overhead necessary in traditional on-premises systems.

The Future is Green and Cloud-Powered

42Q and AWS: Partners in Sustainable Manufacturing

42Q’s unique position as a cloud-based MES provider creates a powerful synergy when combined with AWS’s sustainable cloud computing initiatives. This partnership is driving the future of manufacturing towards a more sustainable, efficient, and carbon-neutral direction.

Embracing Cloud Technology for Eco-Friendly Manufacturing

The adoption of 42Q’s cloud-based MES is more than a technological upgrade; it’s a step towards a greener future. By leveraging AWS’s sustainable infrastructure, 42Q offers manufacturers a path to reduce environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency.

Conclusion: Leading the Way with 42Q’s Cloud-Based MES

42Q, through its innovative cloud-based MES solution on AWS, is redefining manufacturing. It offers a pathway for companies to embrace digital transformation while contributing to a sustainable future. By choosing 42Q, manufacturers are not just optimizing their processes; they are actively participating in the global movement towards sustainability. 42Q is excited to support our customers and AWS on their carbon-footprint reduction strategy.

Author: Wellington Giolo | Date: November 12, 2023

I am thrilled to announce that we have just unveiled our latest groundbreaking platform: 42Q Smart Manufacturing V16.0. We have always been at the forefront of manufacturing innovation, continuously pioneering new capabilities for modern manufacturers like you, and this release is no exception. In my 30+ years working in this industry—and for the past 25 years at 42Q—I could not be prouder of the way we collaborate with and then respond to our customers with capabilities that none of our competitors can touch.

We are manufacturers, building solutions for manufacturers. Our expertise really shows up in the details and our proof is in our incredibly high levels of customer satisfaction. Take a read through what we are offering with 42Q Smart Manufacturing V16.0 and then let me know what you think.

You’re unique – your MES should support that

Traditionally, manufacturers have had to conform to the limitations of their chosen MES solution, adjusting their workflow and terminology to fit the system. However, with the release of 42Q Smart Manufacturing V16.0, we are putting the power back into the hands of our customers, enabling you to take control and shape your MES environment according to your unique needs.

Create dynamic user interfaces for streamlining and greater control

Our platform offers unprecedented flexibility by allowing you to compose dynamic user interfaces through the arrangement of modular components, essentially making it composable, not just customizable. This is important because it saves time and money, enabling you to respond to the changing needs of your business as you evolve to meet market demand and regulatory requirements. You can select from a range of pre-designed widgets or even create your own using a low-code approach. This empowers you to perform all necessary tasks in one centralized location, seamlessly integrate data from various systems, and configure specialized process flows tailored to your manufacturing processes.

Personalize your terminology, simplify your user experience to reduce training time, and improve quality

We understand that precision and clarity are paramount in manufacturing operations, where industry-specific terminology often plays a crucial role. 42Q Smart Manufacturing V16.0, addresses this challenge by intelligently recognizing and adapting to industry-specific terminology. Your communication aligns seamlessly with regulatory compliance and industry standards, eliminating any confusion and enhancing operational efficiency.

Furthermore, we know that in today’s interconnected world, you need to support global collaboration. Typically, manufacturers rely on MES providers for language translations, but our platform allows you to effortlessly localize the user interface. This localization capability ensures that your manufacturing environment is optimized for international collaboration, significantly enhancing your worldwide operations and supply chain.

Built by manufacturers, for manufacturers

When manufacturing excellence is in your DNA after 40+ years of perfecting global manufacturing operations, then you know exactly how to build and deploy a comprehensive, cloud-based MES solution. From shop floor to operations teams to the executive suite, our solution is the most straightforward way to expedite the digital transformation of your factory operations. What’s more, we can have this solution up and running within a matter of weeks, significantly mitigating the risks and disruptions that often come with such transitions.

With 42Q, you gain access to a wide range of essential features, including full product traceability, route enforcement, cycle time monitoring, asset performance optimization, defect and repair loop management, electronic work instructions, serialization, and much more. Our architecture is not only accessible and reliable but also highly scalable and secure, ensuring that your manufacturing processes always run smoothly and efficiently.

If you want to learn how we can transform your manufacturing operations in only four weeks, reach out to me at wellington.giolo@42-q.com.

Author: Gustavo Velasquez | Date: August 16, 2022

Your factory’s blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels monitored in real-time. 

An essential part of manufacturing is the ability to quantify the productivity and efficiency of production processes and assets. Everything that can be measured, monitored, and managed can likely be optimized. This, by itself, is already a great reason for implementing OEE-based continuous improvement programs.

OEE is a tremendous benefit to organizations by helping with early detection and providing actionable intelligence to different user bases across the enterprise, whenever availability, performance, or quality aren’t looking as good as they should. OEE is considered a gold standard measurement of how well production lines and assets are running, and this information is critical to determining benchmarks and identifying areas for improvement.

Businesses can monitor and compare the actual effectiveness of production processes and assets and quickly identify issues, allowing troubleshooting and optimizations to resolve the underlying causes of availability, performance, and quality problems.

What is OEE?

OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), in simple terms, is an index that measures how effective any piece of equipment is. You can think of it as a medical monitor that gathers and computes your asset’s blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels continuously displaying and keeping the history of these KPIs and raising alerts when things are out of control.

When a well-rounded, integrated OEE system such as 42Q is implemented, operations can quickly unleash the power of clusters of OT information that were previously isolated and very difficult to make sense of. The losses are related to the three main factors that link to poor OEE and can be investigated by any organizational level you desire. The chart below shows the six big losses that manufacturing leaders keep their eyes on for their production lines and processes.

Monitoring and taking action on these metrics is one of the key differentiators between world-class manufacturers and the rest of the pack. Don’t worry, though, help is on the way. If you’re reading this, you’ve already taken the first few steps towards the answer that will help visualize issues and improvement opportunities.

Overall Equipment Effectiveness is the product of the 3 KPIs/metrics above:

OEE = Availability * Performance * Quality

An effective analysis of the underlying causes for losses in any of those 3 main process indicators is a science that requires readily available information; the flexibility to quickly and easily interpret business intelligence and monitoring capabilities while controlling the cost of acquiring all that data, processing it into valuable information and making it available anywhere at any time.

An OEE system that acts in the backstage in a nearly transparent fashion to the operations is the holy grail manufacturers all over the world have been looking for. 42Q can deliver all of that and more.

The OEE components: Availability, Performance, and Quality.

Each underlying variable in OEE corresponds to a specific type of loss. Knowing with confidence that accurate calculations will identify potential production losses, this will in turn will lead to better decision-making, saving time and resources.

Availability
This KPI compares the time that an asset was operating against the time that it was stopped. It is the relationship between the actual production time (planned production time minus every stoppage, including scheduled and unscheduled downtimes) and the originally planned production time.

Scheduled downtimes are planned events such as personnel breaks, meal times, shift changeovers and other times when production isn’t scheduled to be running. OEE systems should allow for the categorization of downtime events and scheduled downtimes would not be counted as availability loss.

Availability = Actual Production Time / Planned Production Time

Performance
This KPI provides information about how fast a part is being produced. It compares the actual production speed (total count / actual production time) against the theoretical target run rate. Performance is affected by minor stops and slowdowns making production run at less than the ideal cycle time.

Performance = (Total Count / Actual Production Time) / Target Run Rate

Quality
The quality variable shows how many good units were produced versus the total count. It is affected by rejected products. This calculation takes into account good manufactured parts that go through the process for the first time without any rework and divides it by the total number of parts processed.

Quality = Good Units / Total Count

Practical Example

Let’s say that each Friday the operations manager and his team review a weekly OEE trend by manufacturing line or asset.

During their last meeting, they identified the current top five OEE downtime reason codes. The next step was to detect the specific downtime root causes and which machines are experiencing unplanned downtimes due to equipment failure. Afterward, they might want to also drill down even further to find detailed repair information to figure out the most common causes, problems, and repair actions that are resulting in asset downtime.

This type of analysis allows operations management and maintenance teams to make informed decisions and take corrective action to prevent or reduce downtimes. In the upcoming OEE weekly meeting, the team can review the trends and compare them with previous periods (i.e. before and after corrective action plans, supplier changes, staff training, and other potential actions).

The following is a simple example that helps to explain how OEE is calculated:

Note: This is fictional data used to explain how OEE calculation may help build the underlying variable(s) that are used to display improvement opportunities.

What can monitoring OEE do for your factory?

• Measure accurately and effectively. Production constraints and bottlenecks can be quickly identified through OEE data analysis, uncovering opportunities to rectify weaknesses thereby improving your processes and machinery. For example, if a production line is capable of producing 100 pieces per hour, but it is producing less than that, OEE systems will point that out.
• Improve Return on Investment (ROI). Assets are expensive. Using them to the fullest can represent an important step towards operational excellence and profitability. OEE provides measurable KPIs that can be used to gauge and monitor efficiency over time, directly supporting decision-making on maintenance plans, material supply processes, staff training, machine purchases, and more.
• Cost savings. By utilizing OEE and analyzing the underlying metrics, teams can identify losses and work on minimizing defective products, and reworks machine slowdowns, and unplanned downtimes, which translates into cost savings.
• Predict/Prevent breakdowns. As OEE provides real-time machinery efficiency information, it helps companies to prevent or control machine failures. This could lead to less unscheduled downtimes, especially when it is integrated with a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) that calculates the mean time between failures (MTBF) and mean time to repair (MTTR).

OEE in 42Q

The set of functionality provided by 42Q’s OEE system includes several features around data collection, analysis, and reporting through a clear and intuitive user interface. Additionally, it is easy to implement machine connectivity through 42Q’s IIoT modules.

The benefits of an automated data collection

42Q’s OEE system allows manual or automatic data collection and interpretation. Although automated data collection might require some larger initial effort, it is a much more powerful and less error-prone strategy delivering more accurate and consistent information.

In the following table, you will find a comparison of computing OEE manually yourself versus using 42Q’s MES.

Author: Bobby Hanna | Date: February 02, 2022

Most maintenance teams have developed a reactive approach to breakdowns. Some of the most common maintenance issues include:

• Aging Equipment Prone To More Breakdowns
• Equipment Breakdowns Affecting Product Output
• High Maintenance Costs Cutting Into the Bottom-line
• Lack Of Consistency In Maintenance Procedures
• Data Stored In Multiple Locations, No System Of Record

Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) provides a proactive solution to maintenance teams with centralized, standardized and streamlined maintenance operations.

Here are the Top 5 Benefits of CMMS

1. Reduced Downtime

Preventive Maintenance is the best way to ensure that your manufacturing equipment runs smoothly and gives you the longest lifespan. CMMS allows you to schedule Preventive Maintenance so that work orders are automatically generated and assigned to the correct group within your organization. This allows you to conquer your maintenance backlog before it gets out of hand.

As equipment begins to age you start to see more issues with the reliability of these assets. It isn’t always financially possible to replace aging assets. CMMS allows you to collect, analyze and use an asset’s historical data to make informed decisions. This data can assist you in adjusting the maintenance schedule for aging assets to improve the reliability and prolong the lifespan.

2. Increased Efficiency

Taking maintenance and stoppage requests by email, phone, word of mouth or whiteboard forces your team to spend unnecessary time creating work orders and inputting data. CMMS eliminates these extra steps by automating the work request process. Employees can report downtime and submit work requests which will automatically be routed to the correct team within your organization. Work requests can also be set to escalate automatically to the correct personnel if the work is not completed within the configured time frame.

The lack of a central knowledge database means that technicians have to waste time tracking down people, flipping through paperwork and searching the internet for solutions to machine breakdowns. CMMS gives technicians quick and easy access to all the information necessary to complete a repair. Predefined checklists, images, videos, manuals and more can be added directly to a work order to assist the technician in getting the work done in less time.

3. Lower Maintenance Costs

Not being in control of your inventory can greatly increase costs. Over purchasing of inventory adds unneeded additional costs. And if you don’t have the right parts on hand in the event of a breakdown it will result in additional downtime, rush shipping and risky stopgap methods, all of which are expensive. CMMS helps you track and organize your inventory to eliminate over or understocking. The Approved Vendor Lists (AVL’s) helps you mitigate risk by ensuring that you have multiple sources to obtain important parts.

When equipment goes down it brings lots of unwanted costs such as downtime, parts and labor. These additional costs can begin to stack up very quickly. CMMS gives you the ability to ensure that Preventative Maintenance is done correctly according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Preventative Maintenance is the best way to resolve issues proactively by finding small issues before they become major problems.

4. Greater Compliance

A lack of standardization can lead to important maintenance tasks getting missed or skipped which can lead to unwanted downtime. CMMS gives you the ability to build predefined maintenance checklists. This ensures that all technicians follow best practices and get the job done as quickly and as accurate as possible.

Audits can be difficult to pass without the correct documentation and records. Failing an audit can bring huge costs and headaches. CMMS gives you the ability to produce all necessary maintenance records by asset or time frame. Inventory records and locations also simplify producing the necessary information for audits.

5. Data Collection

Not having visibility into the status of your work orders is one of the main ways that your backlog starts to grow. If the right people don’t have visibility into work orders, it can lead to more downtime and uninformed decision making. CMMS allows you to have real-time updates into the status of work orders as well as the status of the equipment on the manufacturing floor.

Maintenance KPI’s help you identify chronic issues with your machinery and make informed decisions about equipment issues. Trying to compile these reports by hand can be time consuming and lead to mistakes. CMMS allows you to collect data and view Maintenance KPI data easily in pre-built report templates. This allows you to quickly identify trends, recurring problems and more.