Benefits of AI for manufacturing

What are the benefits of AI for manufacturing?

by Business

The benefits of AI for manufacturing have been increasing as its implementation in the industry advances and as manufacturing companies’ digital maturity grows. Some examples include process automation and supply chain optimization. This is completely transforming the way goods are produced, and here we’ll explain the benefits this transformation brings to the manufacturing industry.

Improved operational efficiency

AI’s analytical capabilities surpass those of any human, especially when it comes to large volumes of data generated by companies. This ability allows for real-time detection of bottlenecks, workflow optimization, and the prediction of issues before they occur. As a result, downtime is reduced, and productivity is maximized.

Predictive maintenance

AI enables timely maintenance, meaning it can be performed at the precise moment, in a planned manner, and in the shortest possible time. This way, unplanned production interruptions become increasingly rare. It also results in cost reduction, as the useful life of machines is extended.

Quality and process control

Anomalies and defects can go unnoticed by the human eye, making AI crucial in the quality control processes that companies undertake for their products. AI achieves this through automation and its hallmark precision.

Responding to market personalization

Mass production of customized products requires a production model that is both cost-effective and flexible. AI enables the shift from a rigid system to a more adaptable one, allowing for dynamic adjustments in production settings. This ensures profitability and customer satisfaction.

Supply chain optimization

The complete vision provided by AI in analyzing company data helps in more effective planning and reduces material fluctuations that could slow down or halt production and delivery times.

Cost reduction

As noted earlier, more efficient resource usage directly impacts costs, as the same resources yield greater results. This reduction is the sum of all efficiencies achieved across the areas where AI is implemented within the company.

Safer workspaces

The analysis of data from sensors or cameras can highlight behaviors that increase workplace risks. In some cases, AI can even automatically stop a machine if the operator isn’t wearing all the required personal protective equipment.

Conclusion

The benefits of AI are transforming the manufacturing landscape by making processes more efficient, personalized, and safer. From intelligent automation to predictive maintenance, companies that adopt AI are better equipped to face modern market challenges and seize new growth opportunities. In an increasingly competitive environment, integrating AI into manufacturing processes is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity.

Adopting AI not only boosts productivity and reduces costs but also drives innovation, allowing companies to stay at the forefront of the industry. If you want to learn how to implement AI in your company, contact us, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Predictive AI

What is predictive AI used for in companies?

by Business

Predictive AI is one of the most useful tools for leveraging business data to make decisions. But what is the reason for this prevalence, and how does it differ from traditional predictions?

The main reason is that it provides a roadmap for planning critical aspects such as sales and stock management, basing decisions on data rather than merely on individual experience or biased perspective.

It does not mean that the prediction results are unquestionable. On the contrary, the results become an additional tool that decision-makers can use to work more reliably, securely, and conveniently. In other words, human elements like experience and intuition are still necessary for making decisions with a higher success rate.

A key reason for AI and human experience to continue working together in decision-making is that each considers different elements of the environment. It makes them complementary, and ignoring either can lead to an incomplete view and less accurate decisions.

How does predictive AI work?

Before answering this question, it’s important to mention that before AI gained popularity, statistical models were used to plan sales, manage stock, etc. These models were the only data-based resource that allowed decision-makers to make informed decisions.

Today, AI combines statistical analysis with machine learning models. Machine learning mimics how humans learn, enabling AI to perform tasks like data classification and predicting future outcomes.

Machine learning is the set of algorithms that allows AI to learn from data. The accuracy of the prediction depends on factors like the quality and quantity of the data.

How does data quality affect the results of predictive AI?

To understand the impact of data quality on results, we could compare it to the learning of a student who reads books with outdated information versus a student who has access to updated information. The former is more likely to give incorrect answers on an exam, while the latter has a higher chance of success.

We can think of predictive AI as a student learning how the data in your company behaves and developing the ability to analyze it and make predictions. Continuing with the example, the more time the student spends learning, the better their results will be in exams.

In other words, learning is a skill that can be trained and has the potential to improve with the necessary resources for training. These resources are primarily high-quality data and time. Depending on the volume of data or the complexity of the prediction, training may require more time.

Another important aspect is having the right data for each prediction. For example, if we want to know the average ticket value for a customer profile, we need data that defines that profile, such as age, gender, or location.

In conclusion, predictive AI provides companies with tools to make data-driven decisions with a deeper level of analysis. However, the accuracy of the results still depends on human responsibility, such as the data provided and its quality.

At RCM Software, we work to ensure that companies can benefit from AI throughout the entire data lifecycle. That’s why our data orchestration platform and BI both feature integrated AI.

ANDICOM 2024

RCM Software Unveils AI-Driven Innovations at ANDICOM 2024

by Business

ANDICOM is reaching its 39th edition in 2024, and RCM Software is already preparing to participate. The event is scheduled from September 4 to 6 at the Complejo Las Américas in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

At ANDICOM 2024, attending companies will see the technology providers’ portfolios and learn how to address business challenges in the Latin American market.

In 2023, ANDICOM had a significant impact, as evidenced by the following figures:

  • Over 6,000 attendees
  • More than 2,000 participating companies
  • Representatives from 35 countries
  • More than 220 companies involved in the trade show

We will present the latest updates in our product portfolio, especially our business intelligence solution, BI4Web, which will have a new version available in the coming months. For now, we can reveal that it will feature integrated AI. We invite you to stay connected to our website and social media for more information.

What can attendees expect at the event?

Attending companies will enjoy personalized demos and meetings conducted by our team. If you are a company interested in scheduling a meeting during the event, contact us. You can find us at booth 10-5

It is also an unparalleled opportunity to strengthen relationships and exchange ideas with key market players who will be present, with Japan being the guest country this year.

We look forward to seeing you!

TEKNOSERVICE

TEKNOSERVICE: New Partner of RCM Software

by Business

TEKNOSERVICE, a leading Spanish hardware manufacturer, has recently joined the network of partners of RCM Software. We are very pleased to share this news with our community because TEKNOSERVICE possesses two characteristics that define our partners very well:

  1. Providing excellent service to their clients
  2. Constant innovation in their products and services.

The leadership of TEKNOSERVICE has enabled it to achieve various objectives, among which we highlight:

The only Spanish company approved by CERN

In 2013, it became the only Spanish company approved to provide computer services for CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. In 2017, they renewed their relationship with CERN by implementing TTL servers for their computing center.

TEKNOSERVICE has managed to maintain this milestone by continuing to supply cabinets and storage equipment to Switzerland. Currently, it has prominent clients such as:

  • All regional governments
  • Provincial councils
  • Universities
  • Study centers
  • 2,000 municipalities

Own operating system: TLL OS

Another notable achievement of TEKNOSERVICE is the creation of its operating system, called TLL OS, which, thanks to its great flexibility and security, adapts to the needs of each company regardless of the sector to which it belongs.

Advantages of the alliance

The great potential represented by the combination of the credentials that attest to TEKNOSERVICE’s experience and quality, combined with the technological innovations we work on at RCM Software to offer increasingly competitive tools and solutions, allows us to be confident in the satisfactory results we will see in the future.

With this addition to the network of partners of RCM Software, TEKNOSERVICE’s clients will be able to enjoy all the benefits of the products developed by RCM Software in all their projects related to business intelligence, data analytics, data orchestration, artificial intelligence, data virtualization, and other related topics.

BI4Web V.23

BI4Web V.23 is now available

by Business

We have excellent news for our entire community. BI4Web V.23 is now available with multiple innovations and improvements. We share the most prominent ones here:

A renewed experience

BI4Web V.23 is available as a PWA (Progressive Web App). It allows you to access it more easily from any mobile or desktop device without installation and with an experience much closer to the applications we already know.

Another advantage of PWAs is that you can add their icon to both the home screen and the device’s taskbar. It facilitates access since only one click is needed to launch the application.

A new dimension in data analysis

This new version incorporates the functionality to calculate and represent trend lines. It will allow users to identify patterns and predict future behaviors based on historical data. These patterns can be upward trends, downward trends, seasonalities, and cycles.

Improved style application

Simple data control applies all styles correctly. In this version, we fixed those few cases where styles did not work properly. Moreover, helpers have improved by having an alignment that favors their presentation.

Enhanced Excel export

In BI4Web V.23, the export to Excel format has resolved export errors that happened when exporting from the grid or pivot grid control, and the cell with numeric values was a string (Alphanumeric).

Additionally, unlike previous versions, the width of the columns adapts to the length of the length value in every row. It makes the exported document look much better and prevents values from being unorganized.

Another detail of this version is that the values totals in Excel-exported documents are highlighted in bold to make them easier to differentiate from others.

If you want to update to the new version, contact your BI4Web distributor or contact us by writing to rcm@rcm.es

To read the complete documentation of the new version, click here.

Entrada-blog-DataGate-GDP-for-OpenEdge

How to migrate Progress® OpenEdge desktop applications to the web

by Business

If you, as a developer, have created apps for your clients with previous versions of Progress OpenEdge v.12, you are probably working on migrating from desktop to web. This process can be very long and inefficient, because there is no way to perform automated migration.

Given this scenario, alternatives that allow for more efficient development in a web environment become a key element of the process. This is the case with DataGate GDP, a tool developed specifically to streamline development in OpenEdge V.12.2 or higher. DataGate GDP features a drag-and-drop interface that facilitates the creation process, such as web form creation. To better understand how it works, we invite you to watch the following videos:

What steps should I follow?

To carry out the migration successfully, we recommend following these steps:

  • Update Progress®OpenEdge to version 12 or higher.
  • Define the forms you will be working with.
  • Reuse internal program procedures.

If you want to learn more about how DataGate GDP works, and how to acquire it, please write to us, and we will be back to you as soon as possible.

Entrada-blog-MWC-2024

RCM Software will be at MWC 2024

by Business

We are thrilled to share our participation as exhibitors in the next edition of the MWC 2024 in Barcelona. Visitors will have the chance to get to know the business tools and solutions we have been working on to keep our clients ahead of their competitors.

BI4Web

BI4Web is the Business intelligence tool that companies use to make intelligent and informed decisions. Its features enable dashboards with data from the whole business ecosystem. Decision makers can access BI4Web from any device, any time and anywhere. Additionally, BI4Web has an extensive catalog of graphic representations that enables the decision-making process with unique perspectives to find insights more efficiently.

DataGate Orchestration Platform

This data orchestration platform makes it possible to work with data from the whole business ecosystem in a very efficient way. Its data virtualization features and access to Artificial Intelligence, make it the right choice to leverage value from data no matter the industry.

DataGate GDP for Progress OpenEdge

Our newest release lands in the market to help Progress® developers optimize their work when developing with OpenEdge. Its drag-and-drop interface makes the development process faster and easier.

Visit us at booth CS210 in Fira Barcelona from February 26th to 29th. Schedule a visit by clicking here.

ANDICOM 2023

We are ready for ANDICOM 2023!

by Business

On September 6, 7, and 8, we will participate for the second time as exhibitors at ANDICOM. The most relevant event in the ICT industry in the region will take place at the Las Américas Convention Center in Cartagena de Indias under the motto “Get Into The Digital World.”

In its 38th edition, ANDICOM aims to surpass the figures achieved in 2022:

  • Over 5,000 attendees
  • 1,500 participating companies
  • Participants from more than 30 countries.

Since our first participation in 2016, we have witnessed the growth of this event, which has become a benchmark as a meeting point for various business sectors to showcase and implement new technological trends and tools.

During our participation in 2016, our founder, Jesús Serrano, shared technological trends in business intelligence and data analytics with industry leaders and the Colombian Minister of ICT, David Luna.

What will attendees find at ANDICOM 2023?

Visitors to the event will find us at the ACCIO Bogotá booth – Catalan Agency for Competitiveness (10.7). Our team will share the latest updates on our tools and solutions in business intelligence, data management, data analysis, embedded analytics, data warehouse, and more. In particular, they will learn how BI4Web and DataGate help companies evolve on their digital transformation journey.

Additionally, they will discover commercial and academic proposals covering topics as relevant as artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual and augmented reality, Blockchain, 5G, and the Internet of Things. There will also be opportunities for networking and exploring new possibilities.

We look forward to seeing you there.

The Value of Business Intelligence in Financial Management

The Value of Business Intelligence in Financial Management

by Business

Decisions made by financial management have a significant impact on a company’s operation, development, and growth. For this reason, any improvement that enables more assertive decision-making holds considerable value. In this regard, companies with Business Intelligence solutions in their financial management can access pertinent, up-to-date, and accurate information that strengthens the decision-making process.

This article will discuss the impact of improvements driven by Business Intelligence in financial management.

Understanding Financial Performance

BI offers a clear and comprehensive view of relevant financial metrics, such as revenues, expenses, and profitability. It assists financial teams in identifying opportunities to save costs and create new revenue streams.

It is possible through dashboards and financial reports developed within the BI system. These provide stakeholders with the information they need to detect patterns and trends, enabling them to initiate necessary actions.

Some of the ratios that can be highly useful for financial management are as follows:

  1. Solvency or Liquidity Ratio measures the company’s ability to meet short-term debts. If this indicator is below one, the company is technically facing insolvency; if it’s above two, there are excess circulating idle assets.
  2. Quick Ratio: This assesses the company’s ability to meet short-term debts without considering stocks. If this indicator is below one, the company is technically at risk of insolvency; if it’s above two, there are excess circulating idle assets.
  3. Immediate Liquidity: This evaluates the company’s ability to meet debts considering only the money in banks and cash. If this indicator is below 0.1, there are liquidity problems; if it’s above 0.4, it indicates idle treasury.
  4. Debt Ratio: This indicates the level of the company’s indebtedness, with an appropriate debt level at 0.5. Higher values suggest excessive indebtedness, while lower values indicate idle equity.
  5. Economic Profitability: This reflects the profitability the company gains from its typical activities. An indicator below 0 represents unprofitable productivity, while above 0 represents profitable productivity.
  6. Financial Profitability: This indicates the profitability of own capital. If it’s above 0, productivity is profitable.
  7. Net Profit: This measures the net profit obtained from company sales. Values above 0 indicate positive profitability.

Analyzing for Better Decision-Making

The analytical power of BI allows finance professionals to compare budget forecasts with actual budgets, helping them identify discrepancies and implement necessary corrective measures. However, the analysis goes beyond identifying disparity; it’s also convenient for making forecasts based on historical financial data, including sales, expenses, and profitability. It enables financial teams to create a more precise outlook and strategic planning.

Enhancing Customer Understanding

Understanding customer behavior is crucial for defining pricing, marketing strategy, and product characteristics. From a financial standpoint, BI can assist in understanding customers in the following ways:

  1. Customer Segmentation: This involves grouping customers based on characteristics, for example, location, purchase frequency, age, etc.
  2. Customer Behavior Analysis: Analyzing factors like purchase frequency can lead to a better customer experience and increased profitability for the company.
  3. Predictive Modeling: Predictive models help forecast how customers will behave in the future, allowing adjustments to financial strategy for better results.

Regulatory Compliance

BI can aid in regulatory compliance by adjusting reports to meet legal standards or guidelines from government agencies. Additionally, alerts can be set up to prompt actions when there’s a risk of non-compliance with monitored regulations.

Risk Management

With BI, you can proactively detect risks in departments like credit, market, or operations. The analysis provided by BI also helps quantify the impact of risk, allowing for prioritization in risk management planning.

In conclusion, BI significantly enhances the ability of finance teams to efficiently manage company resources by bolstering the analysis of financial information and its impact on the company level. With tools like BI4Web, it’s possible to equip your finance team with the analytical and data visualization capabilities needed for highly competitive financial management. Contact us for a free demo.

Business-Intelligence-and-information-security

Business Intelligence and Information Security as Business Differentiators

by Business

Business intelligence solutions are becoming increasingly essential elements in organizations. The main reason is that they are crucial for digital transformation processes due to their technological component that facilitates access to information and their impact on organizational culture, which is moving towards data-driven decision-making.

Like any advancement, BI solutions are conducive to new scenarios within organizations that represent new opportunities and challenges. The advantages are gaining popularity, and we invite you to read our articles:

In these articles, we address the impact of Business Intelligence in different areas of companies. Regarding the challenges, information security represents relevant aspects for protecting against threats and complying with current data processing regulations.

How to securely manage your organization’s data?

It is essential to consider what data you handle, for what purpose, and which people within the organization should have access. For this last point, it is recommendable to assign access permissions considering the need-to-know principle. In this way, only those users who legitimately need access to the information will have it. By delimiting each person in the organization to the data based on their role, you can mitigate the risks associated with the inappropriate use of data.

Another relevant aspect is the maintenance of access logs that allow tracking of who accesses the information. For this, it is necessary to provide mechanisms that prevent to share access credentials and other non-recommended practices.

Regarding the previous points, it is relevant to work with Business Intelligence solutions that facilitate the implementation of these measures. In this regard, BI4Web stands out for its efficient and secure data management from user and dashboard creation.

BI4Web: The secure BI solution for your data

Thanks to the architecture of BI4Web, data management, permissions, and users offer information security with efficient time utilization. Why? Because it allows you to create intelligent dashboards that display the information corresponding to each user without the necessity of creating one for each user, as is usual with other market options.

A clear example is a sales dashboard that shows the individual sales performance of each salesperson but also allows a regional sales manager to view sales for a specific region. Visualization privileges are associated with each user, so they always correspond to the responsibilities assigned to the employee.

Regarding sharing information, BI4Web enables sharing dashboards with colleagues via email. This functionality is not enabled to share information with people outside the organization. Additionally, shared links have limitations in terms of time and maximum number of uses.

If you share it via email, the receiving colleague can only navigate through the shared information. This way, they can access all the visualization advantages of BI4Web without any unwanted access to other data. Thus, work teams can collaborate cohesively with options that provide the necessary data protection.

Simplified and secure access to data offers organizations an improvement in competitiveness by enhancing their ability to make efficient data-driven decisions.

If you want to access the benefits of business intelligence with the necessary security, contact us, and we will accompany you with the best solutions to make digital transformation and information security pieces of your company.