The metal and machinery industry is at a turning point. Global competition, pressure to reduce costs and the need to meet increasingly demanding quality standards have placed digital transformation at the center of many companies' strategies.
For decades, metalworking factories have relied on manual processes and poorly integrated controls that generated inefficiencies and wasted time. Today, technologies such as OEE Lite, ERP/MES systems and real-time in-plant data capture are becoming strategic allies to improve factory productivity and ensure long-term competitiveness.
Digital transformation in the metal sector is not a fad, but a response to the real challenges faced by SMEs and large companies in the sector.
Many companies still rely only on Excel or disconnected systems to plan production, inventories and resources. This results in:
In an industry where projects tend to be customised and with high unit costs, real-time production management makes the difference between profitability and loss of contracts.
Reducing machine downtime is another major challenge. A single incident can cause:
Operational efficiency in the metal sector depends on knowing exactly what is happening on the shop floor and anticipating faults. This is where solutions such as in-plant data capture with OEE and digital preventive maintenance come into play.
The path to industrial digitisation involves integrating systems that connect all levels of the company: from the operator to management.
An MES system for the metal sector allows information to be captured directly from the machines:
Thanks to the use of tablets and OEE visualisation on the shop floor, operators are connected, and managers can make quick decisions based on data, not assumptions.
The implementation of an ERP for the metal industry provides control over inventories, orders and costs. This translates into:
With a production control system for the metal sector, the company knows at all times the exact cost of each batch or project.
OEE Lite not only measures efficiency, it also helps to plan data-driven maintenance. With this information it is possible to
Direct benefit: companies reduce costs, increase productivity and achieve greater customer satisfaction.
Digital transformation in metallurgical factories does not have to be complex. These are the 3 recommended steps:
At Overtel, we put these steps into practice with our AGILE methodology. This means clear planning, flexible implementation and continuous maintenance, with deliverables validated every two weeks and specialised support.
The metal industry is at a turning point: those who bet on industrial digitalisation will be able to compete in international markets with efficiency, traceability and cost reduction. An MES/ERP system is the key to optimize production, improving profitability and reducing machine downtime.
At Overtel, we help metallurgical SMEs to take this step with modular and scalable solutions.
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