Dec 20, 2024
The manufacturing industry faces a dual challenge: machine builders need to differentiate their products to increase sales, while machine operators strive for efficiency, reliability, and process optimization. Both groups are turning to digital twin technology to solve these challenges and unlock significant value.
Solutions like Tomorrow Things’ Cloud Connect offer seamless integration, advanced remote capabilities, and powerful data-streaming capabilities—addressing the distinct needs of both machine builders and operators. Here’s why digital twins are becoming a must-have for each.
1. Differentiation and Competitive Advantage for Machine Builders
Pain Point: In a crowded market, machine builders must stand out to sell more machines. Buyers increasingly expect machines to come equipped with digital features like remote maintenance and the ability to access key data streams for operational decision-making. Without these, machine builders risk losing sales to competitors with better technological offerings.
How Cloud Connect Helps: By integrating Cloud Connect, machine builders can offer a digital USP as a standard feature. With instant remote service, seamless integration, and real-time data delivery, Cloud Connect enhances machine appeal and helps machine builders close deals faster. For example, A packaging machine builder can use Cloud Connect to offer plug-and-play data connectivity, winning contracts with those who value reliability and ease of use.
Fact: According to a 2023 study by Forrester Consulting, 65% of manufacturing technology decision-makers plan to implement technologies like digital twins to optimize operations. Additionally, 67% prioritize these tools to enhance full product lifecycle sustainability.
Key Benefits for Machine Builders:
Remote Service: Troubleshoot globally with secure VPN and HMI mirroring.
Increased Sales: Machines equipped with digital features are more attractive to buyers.
Future-Proof Design: Build trust with operators by offering robust support and seamless integration.
2. Simplifying Complexity for Machine Operators
Pain Point: Operators resist introducing new machines that complicate existing workflows or fail to deliver easily accessible data for process evaluation. Interoperability challenges and inconsistent data availability are major barriers.
How Cloud Connect Helps: With vendor-independent connectivity, Cloud Connect ensures seamless integration into any shop floor, reducing complexity and enabling operators to maintain process consistency. The platform organizes and streams real-time machine data, allowing operators to evaluate performance and identify opportunities for optimization.
An automotive supplier, for instance, can install a new stamping press equipped with Cloud Connect. The seamless data delivery allows the operator to monitor performance and identify inefficiencies without disrupting production.
Key Benefits for Machine Operators:
Ease of Use: Plug-and-play integration minimizes onboarding challenges.
Process Documentation: Automatic logging of data supports audits and compliance.
Data Availability: Organized data streams empower operators to make data-driven decisions.
3. Reducing Costs Through Remote Maintenance
Pain Point: Both machine builders and operators face rising costs from downtime and on-site maintenance, particularly when machines are installed in distant locations.
How Cloud Connect Helps: By enabling secure remote service, Cloud Connect reduces travel expenses for machine builders’ technicians and downtime for operators. Features like HMI mirroring allow technicians to work as if they’re onsite, minimizing disruption and cost. For example, an operator in Europe can resolve a problem with a machine from an Asian supplier within hours using Cloud Connect’s remote troubleshooting capabilities.
Fact: Remote maintenance, a key application of digital twins, has proven to reduce downtime significantly. As of 2024, 29% of manufacturing companies worldwide have adopted or partially implemented digital twin strategies to achieve benefits such as streamlined maintenance and cost reduction, according to IoT Analytics.
Key Benefits for Machine Builders and Operators:
Machine Builders: Lower service costs, faster resolution, and improved client trust.
Machine Operators: Higher uptime and fewer disruptions to production schedules.
4. Maximizing Data Availability for Process Optimization
Pain Point: Operators need accurate, real-time data to optimize processes and maintain machine reliability, while machine builders must design systems that deliver this data in an intuitive and user-friendly manner to exceed client expectations.
How Cloud Connect Helps: By streaming real-time, high-quality data, Cloud Connect ensures operators can access the information they need to evaluate and improve processes. Machine builders benefit from the ability to offer machines that enable their customers to efficiently analyze performance and optimize processes through access to relevant, real-time data—which ultimately enhances customer satisfaction and trust.
For instance, an operator can use Cloud Connect to monitor energy usage patterns across a production line, identifying steps where energy efficiency can be improved.
Fact: According to Fortune Business Insights the global market for digital twins is projected to grow from €16.42 billion in 2024 to €240.11 billion by 2032, with manufacturing anticipated to be the fastest-growing sector. This explosive growth highlights the increasing reliance on technologies like Cloud Connect to unlock operational efficiency through data-driven decisions.
Key Benefits:
Machine Builders: Heightened product appeal based on robust data delivery.
Machine Operators: Access to reliable data for process control and optimization, as well as the ability to tailor data point properties to suit individual requirements.
5. Addressing the Workforce Shortage with Digital Tools
Pain Point: Skilled workers are retiring, and the labor market struggles to meet the demand for new talent. Both machine builders and operators need tools that compensate for this shortage.
How Cloud Connect Helps: By automating previously manual processes and providing structured, easy-to-access data, Cloud Connect bridges the skills gap. Operators can rely on accurate data streams to guide decision-making, while machine builders benefit from easier client onboarding. For example, a food processing facility reduces operator training time by using Cloud Connect’s intuitive data streaming and automated configuration, enabling less experienced workers to manage complex machines effectively.
Key Benefits:
Machine Builders: Increased appeal to clients facing labor shortages.
Machine Operators: Greater productivity and confidence despite workforce constraints.
Empowering Machine Builders and Machine Operators to Succeed
Digital twins are revolutionizing the manufacturing industry by enabling machine builders to offer differentiated machines with advanced support capabilities while helping machine operators streamline processes and maintain reliable performance through actionable data streams. With Cloud Connect, Tomorrow Things bridges the gap between these stakeholders, creating a win-win solution for the entire ecosystem.
See it for yourself!
To make it even easier for you to experience the power of Cloud Connect, we’re offering an exclusive Try & Buy package: Test our platform for 3 months for just 75 euros—and see firsthand how it can revolutionize your operations with seamless integration and real-time data. Sign up now to get started!
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