The human factor: Building software for both the office and the factory floor

The SigmaNEST portfolio

Imagine a world where the magic of technology breathes life into incredible machines, and manufacturing isn't just about gears and bolts. It's more like weaving a beautiful tapestry using lines of code.

Users need a diverse portfolio of software solutions that evolves the needs of various stakeholders in the manufacturing industry.
An example is the SigmaNEST portfolio. It’s built upon three technology pillars:

• CAD/CAM
  CAD/CAM software products provide programming instructions for automated machines on the factory floor. These instructions guide the machines in adding value to raw materials and transforming them into finished parts.
• Business Systems
  Business Systems software guides the core activities of manufacturing businesses, encompassing tasks like quoting, estimating, and resource management.
• Shop Floor
  Shop Floor software products bridge the physical and digital worlds, interacting with individual actors as parts move step by step through the factory. This connectivity is crucial for real-time insights and control.

User-centric approach

Managing a diverse portfolio like SigmaNEST's requires a deep understanding of the varying needs of different stakeholders.

The recipe for success is simple: focus on the users. By actively listening to user feedback, you can gain valuable insights into user needs and how those needs evolve over time.

To supplement qualitative assessment of the process and finished product, SigmaNEST employs analytics to understand the effectiveness of individual features and workflows from a quantitative perspective. This dual approach ensures that the software is flexible and adaptable to meet the diverse requirements of their customer base.

Embracing Industry 4.0

In the era of Industry 4.0, software solutions must not only address day-to-day operational aspects but also align with larger industry goals. SigmaNEST recognizes this by prioritizing:

• Open Integration: Architecturally, SigmaNEST's software is designed to integrate with other tools and platforms, creating a seamless flow of data and operations.
• Holistic Feature Design: Features are designed to provide insights to end-users and help SigmaNEST better understand customer needs and activities.
• Data-Driven Approach: The company collects and analyzes data to make informed decisions and prepares for future developments in the market.

Identifying users

SigmaNEST's user base is extensive, encompassing a wide range of roles in the manufacturing cycle:

• Office-based users, including those involved in forecasting, quoting, CAD/CAM programming, sourcing, and ordering raw materials.
• Factory-based users responsible for planning, manufacturing, inspection, material handling, and shipping.
• Support staff involved in deploying, supporting, and upgrading installations, including IT teams responsible for ensuring 24/7/365 uptime.

A user-centric approach to manufacturing

With these goals in mind, we focus on our users at every stage of the process. The aim is to understand the unique information needs of each role, identify what should be measured, and empower decision-makers with real-time insights.

This level of agility and understanding of the manufacturing process allows for prompt reactions to unforeseen events, such as machine breakdowns or material shortages, ultimately benefiting customer satisfaction and profitability.

Applying principles at SigmaNEST

SigmaNEST's commitment to principles brings clarity to their approach:

• Simplified User Interfaces: The company simplifies its interfaces for users, making software interactions more intuitive.
• Automation: Steps are automated where possible to reduce user effort.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: SigmaNEST identifies and collects relevant data points for informed decision-making.
  Change and continuous improvement are the keys to success for SigmaNEST and its users.

Addressing shop floor challenges

SigmaNEST operates in a rapidly evolving world, which presents several challenges:

• Training: Constant change requires ongoing training for users. Simplifying interfaces and reducing complexity helps mitigate this challenge.
• Security: With a growing emphasis on software security, SigmaNEST remains committed to staying updated with the latest practices to ensure data and systems are protected.

How to embrace emerging technologies on the shop floor?

As emerging technologies like AI and IoT reshape the manufacturing landscape, SigmaNEST envisions several impacts on their products and customers:

• IoT Integration: IoT will enable more devices to participate digitally in the manufacturing process, providing valuable data streams for use by other business systems.
• AI Advancements: AI will enhance data analysis, facilitating better decision-making and the ability to predict and understand the consequences of those decisions. It may also lower manufacturing costs by identifying process improvements based on historical data.

Lastly, it’s great to remember key drivers for manufacturing success is a user-centric approach and a commitment to shift with emerging technologies. As digital manufacturing solutions continue to evolve, they are poised to bring even greater efficiency, reliability, and agility to the world of manufacturing