AI modules for industrial software solutions

AI Explorer

Initial situation

EVO develops software for the manufacturing industry with a focus on SMEs and mid-sized companies. EVO's software spectrum includes the building blocks for end-to-end digitalization of business processes through to networking and data communication with machines. Large amounts of data and status information are available for
which can be used for a wide variety of AI applications in the future. The aim of the AI Explorer was to explore the potential and limits of AI in the productive use of software solutions at SMEs and to develop and evaluate ideas.

Solution idea

The project work was divided into four parts. The kick-off meeting was about getting to know the company and identifying the general problems, potential and issues relating to AI applications. During the training, EVO employees with different professional backgrounds were taught the basics of AI and their specific questions were answered. The main objective was to create a positive attitude towards AI and to qualify employees for use case identification (mobilization).

In preparation for a workshop, initial ideas were collected in an employee challenge. Finally, the ideas were processed and supplemented in an interactive workshop using an AI canvas and their costs and benefits were evaluated and prioritized.

Figure 1: Software for the manufacturing industry, EVO Informationssysteme GmbH

Result

As part of the project, use case ideas were developed that will be further investigated and possibly implemented in the software in the future:

Idea 1: Dynamic adjustment of tool stocks by predicting tool consumption
Idea 2: Predicting the quality of components for optimized production planning
Idea 3: Predicting the capacity situation for production planning

The potential of the ideas was evaluated together. Idea 2 will be examined in more detail as part of a subsequent quick check.