Manufacturing companies have access to enormous volumes of data that can increase productivity and eliminate bottlenecks as they embrace digitalisation with their ERP solutions.
This blog examines how ETL (extract, transform, and load) tools can benefit manufacturers by giving them access to timely data that can be used for predictive maintenance, operational efficiency optimisation, and productivity enhancement.
Various data-related issues in manufacturing
Manufacturers operate within data ecosystems that are teeming with disparate processes and systems. This leads to data issues that make establishing a single source of truth all but impossible. Because of this, it becomes challenging to recognise and comprehend operational problems that, if resolved, could raise overall productivity and reduce manufacturing costs.
- Data silos
Data is divided among various systems, including ERP programs, third-party tools, standalone business applications, local machine sensors, and more, due to a fragmented infrastructure. Determining the overall operational workflow and how data affects it is made easier by combining data from these disparate systems and dismantling silos.
- Inconsistent data formatting
Data must be standardised because different systems generate and store data according to various protocols. Building an optimised data pipeline requires standardising data by resolving formatting discrepancies.
- Fast data access
Timely data access can support predictive maintenance and more intelligent operations in the manufacturing sector. ETL tools facilitate the extraction and consolidation of data into centralised dashboards from a variety of sources, including machines, sensors, and ERP systems. This aids floor managers in comprehending important operational metrics, maximising the procurement of raw materials, and efficiently managing personnel to guarantee on-time delivery.
- Data enrichment and optimisation
For operational optimisation, certain manufacturing processes rely on outside data, such as weather information, third-party metrics, and energy consumption readings. ETL tools make it easier to integrate and enrich this data with internal data sources, even though the majority of it is easily accessible online or from outside vendors. Combining first- and third-party data enables improved decision-making throughout the production pipeline and provides deeper insights.
- Converting to an online platform
The majority of manufacturers continue to use antiquated systems, which restrict their efficiency and scale. Although switching to a cloud-based solution has many advantages, such as better data access and more efficient manufacturing procedures, the process can be challenging because data is dispersed across several systems. By removing data from these systems and combining it while enhancing its quality, ETL tools make this transition easier.
The importance of the ETL solution offered by Zoho DataPrep to manufacturers
Production lines, supply chains, inventory management systems, equipment monitoring systems, and other systems generate a lot of data for manufacturers. The ETL tool from Zoho DataPrep assists with:
- Enhanced operational efficiency: To better understand and obtain insightful information that boosts productivity, Zoho DataPrep’s data pipeline can combine data from various systems, transform it, and send it to a business intelligence platform.
- Zoho DataPrep enables near-real-time data processing, giving manufacturers the most recent information to identify bottlenecks, track equipment performance, and streamline production processes.
- Predictive maintenance: Zoho DataPrep can assist with anticipating equipment failures, putting proactive maintenance plans into place, cutting down on unscheduled downtime, and optimising maintenance expenses by providing access to historical and current data.
- Quality control: Data from production systems, QA systems, and other digital systems can be combined using Zoho DataPrep’s ETL pipeline. Building a strong quality process to uphold high manufacturing standards can be facilitated by setting up instant alerts for any anomaly in this consolidated data.
- Simple migration: To improve data accessibility and management, it is simple to locate data in disparate infrastructures and combine it by cleaning and standardising it.
In summary
Many separate systems and pieces of equipment are used in a manufacturing process, which makes data integration a difficult task. When combined, though, this data has enormous potential to streamline processes, lower operating expenses and downtime, and boost output and return on investment.
With the aid of Zoho DataPrep, you can create reliable ETL data pipelines that make it simple to combine, clean, and get your data ready for analysis so you can realise its maximum potential.