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52 SMT007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2023 Manufacturing encompasses a great num- ber of roles, each requiring different strengths, skills, and personalities. Now, each of these roles is being transformed and elevated by computerization, soware, and AI. It is natu- ral then, that to attract people to take on these roles, we must include those who are strong in the application and use of modern soware, and which complements their incumbent skills and experience. My own interest in manufacturing came from the excitement of seeing new and innova- tive consumer products, which as a student, I knew I couldn't afford. us it was compelling to have the opportunity to be involved in how they were made—and perhaps pick up some staff discount. At the time, having only suffi- cient manual dexterity to handle a keyboard and mouse, the emergence of soware devel- opment for manufacturing seemed to be the right place for me. In that role, I quickly real- ized the profound change that soware would make in manufacturing as a microcosm of the world at large. It's been as I predicted: Changes to the varied roles in manufacturing have been evolutional, Today's Manufacturing Jobs Require a New Skill Set Smart Factory Insights Feature Column by Michael Ford, AEGIS SOFTWARE