Solutions Consultant for GE Digital Chris Wilson visited the Astec offices last week to brief management on new developments regarding their Brilliant Manufacturing management software suite.
As one of the largest and most successful companies in the world, GE is a substantial manufacturer in its own right, with some 300 facilities in operation globally. Like all manufacturers, GE needs to ensure that it maintains its competitive edge, so with this in mind, they have implemented a number of advanced manufacturing initiatives. The recent output from one such initiative is the Brilliant Manufacturing management software suite.
One of first modules to become publically available is the OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) Analyser. What distinguishes it from traditional offerings is that it is a prescriptive solution made available as a Predix-enabled secure cloud-hosted subscription service. The user interface is delivered via the web using GE Digital’s next generation UCC client (Unified Compossible client). This enables the client to have a solution up and running within two weeks, bringing immediate value without the need to stand up a server-based infrastructure or train technical support staff.
With the next release of the GE Digital’s iFIX SCADA product about to hit the world stage, more news about the UCC client is expected in coming months.
“We are keeping a close eye on developments in this area,” explains Andy Tripp, MD of Astec. “The industrial internet has relatively untapped potential, and new analytic technologies from GE are set to transform the way industry works.”
GE and Astec have enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership for over 15 years, with Astec providing technical resource to GE’s Global Professional Services team. During this time Astec invested heavily in staff training and development, and its Project Engineers acquired considerable working experience of GE software. The companies’ strong business synergy was formally recognised in 2007 when Astec was appointed the first Premier Solution Partner for GE in UK.
The Brilliant Manufacturing management software developments follow the launch of GE’s Automation & Controls Platform in November last year. The new platform promises to be at the forefront of control, automation and optimisation technology, connecting data with analytics to help solve the toughest of business challenges.
