Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1493797
34 SMT007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2023 monality, and are satisfied by common auto- mation products. e same principle should be true for so- ware automation solutions (such as MES), but compared to hardware, the soware indus- try is relatively new and still evolving. We see the same patterns emerging from many so- ware automation providers—including those newly emerging in the industry. ey follow immature product architectures that behave like those early, primitive, hardware solutions, and are based on continuously customized and bespoke development. It is disappointing to see soware automa- tion solutions today where the customer is expected to develop bespoke code—includ- ing database queries that drive dashboards and reports—as well as some common func- tionality. It is worse still to see the perceived need in many manufacturers that drive them to develop solutions themselves. Even the latest, simplistic "app-based plat- forms" perpetuate this at the low end of the market, which may represent a low initial investment and code development overhead, only to reveal the need for extensive coding, customization, and DIY data modelling aer installation. is reveals the lack of value cre- ation built into the solution's data-model and architecture. Successful manufacturing cannot afford perpetual bespoke customizations from neither hardware nor soware vendors, nor by having to do it themselves. Composability From a mature soware automation solu- tion perspective, differentiation is satisfied through composability—the easy way to tai- lor operational visibility, control, and data exchange—by simply selecting appropriate options and configuring built-in templates within the solution that meet the required needs. It is crucial that these can be altered at any time to suit multiple, simultaneously changing conditions and use-cases. Compos- ability represents the lowest cost of flexibil- ity, such that businesses can adapt and thrive, and differentiate themselves with the greatest of agility—without the cost and risks associ- ated with customization. e fact that many companies use the same automated machine or soware solution does not diminish their differentiation. We must become smarter about how we approach change in the industry; we must be willing and able to influence conditions around us, as well as differentiate our business. Signif- icant challenges continue to emerge due to evolving world conditions. We cannot afford to waste resources on planet-wide logistics and risk being locked into restrictive practices associated with product volumes expectations, nor to be endlessly customizing our solutions every time some change takes place. As we look ahead, we see that in some areas we differentiate, while in others we benefit from a collective evolution. In the supply net- work, we enjoy volume-driven, pricing-based competitive differentiation, while working together to attract local low-risk suppliers. For hardware and soware automation solutions, we use off-the-shelf industry hardware with supported options, and composable soware automation solutions, eliminating the need for customization and self-coding. It is the best of both worlds. Let's all make a change to compete based on differentiation whilst also being respectful and responsible members of our manufacturing industry infrastructure. is will bring confi- dence to those who would invest in manufac- turing reshoring initiatives. SMT007 Michael Ford is the senior director of emerging industry strategy for Aegis Software. To read past columns, click here.