There is a lot to consider when bringing technology solutions to the shop floor (or to the front office for that matter). Often referred to Industry 4.0, technology for manufacturers is advancing rapidly with automation, robotics, 3D printing, ERP systems, cloud computing, software integration, big data, and cybersecurity. It’s hard to know where to begin. In some cases, a company may be facing a specific business issue and not know how technology can be the solution. And, now more than ever, advancing technology can also be a factor in attracting and retaining your workforce.
The Advanced Technology Team
As part of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network, NWIRC has access to the newly created MEP Advanced Technology Team as a resource to help companies understand and apply technology to process and product challenges. This funded program helps manufacturers find the right technical resource to overcome the inevitable hurdles that materialize in product development, manufacturing process, or deployment of new technical operation solutions- and at no cost. The Advanced Tech Team serves as an extension of NWIRC (and other MEP Centers) by offering unbiased vendor options, project scopes, and relationships. Their connection to the 16 Manufacturing USA Institutes, the 350 Federally funded laboratories, and other MEP Centers in each state, allows them to provide recommendations of the right technical resource to overcome the inevitable hurdles that materialize in product development, manufacturing process, or deployment of new technical operation solutions.
As NWIRC’s Strategic Business Advisors meet with manufacturers across the region, they will have this newresource available as they identify companies needing additional research and recommendations for advancing their technology.