Six benefits of cloud-based SaaS solutions in automotive manufacturing
The dawn of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) enabled automotive manufacturers to innovate and build products of higher complexity, which brought new challenges to the manufacturing line. Thankfully, Industry 4.0 also brought advanced systems and tools to help automakers optimize production, ensure smoother workflows, and deliver higher quality products. Cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a prime example.
SaaS solutions enable automotive manufacturers to stay ahead of the curve by collecting data from any source to deliver a real-time view of the production line and product quality. Compared to traditional on-premise systems that require their own servers, with applications that need to be installed, configured, and maintained, cloud-based SaaS solutions are much more agile, flexible, and scalable.
Below are six (and then some additional SaaS advantage for automotive manufacturers:
1. Greater Flexibility and Cost Savings
Cloud-based SaaS manufacturing solutions are typically less expensive than traditional on-premise systems because the software license costs are on a subscription model. You only pay for the services you use, saving you the expense of unnecessary hardware and IT support fees. Additionally, since the service provider manages the SaaS environment on behalf of more than one customer, the fees for using the solution, plus maintenance and update costs, are shared, meaning even greater cost savings.
2. Faster Installation and Time to Value
All relevant software and applications are preinstalled on cloud-based SaaS manufacturing solutions, making it easier to get started. Once you have signed into your account, you can access the SaaS solution from any multimedia device, at any time, and get a comprehensive overview of your manufacturing operations. The amount of time you save on installation and configuration, compared to traditional software solutions, means your time to value is significantly shorter.
3. Better Security Protocols and Updates
Reliable and secure SaaS manufacturing solutions are hosted in their own Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) to ensure enhanced enterprise isolation and 24/7 uptime. Your enterprise security is further protected by employing advanced data encryption protocols, to guarantee your sensitive data is fully secured. Since the solution is cloud-based, software updates are performed by the SaaS solution provider in real time, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
4. Easier Integration and Scalability
SaaS manufacturing solutions that leverage the cloud have greater capacity and are easier to integrate with other SaaS offerings, compared to traditional models that require another server and/or software. A cloud-based manufacturing solution will also afford you the flexibility to scale your SaaS usage in accordance with your specific needs, including sharing files between an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
5. Smoother Data Migration and Sharing
SaaS manufacturing solutions can come with built-in templates and best practices that simplify data migrations. Since they are cloud-based, they also enable you to easily share data and best practices between different plants and/or departments, regardless of where you, or they, are located. Armed with these insights and a real-time view of your manufacturing line, you can develop and implement appropriate data-driven action plans to improve your throughput and product quality.
6. Simpler Maintenance and Upgrade Installation
With cloud-based SaaS solutions, you shouldn’t have to rely on your IT team when there is a problem with your manufacturing system or when an upgrade becomes available. As part of your subscription, a trustworthy SaaS service provider should include maintaining and upgrading the software when needed and resolve other problems related to its use, without any additional charges or fees.
Ready to get started?
Acerta’s LinePulse is a cloud-based SaaS solution that will enhance your data understanding across your manufacturing line to accelerate root cause analysis and improve first time yield. We harness the massive computing power of the cloud to do advanced analytics using machine learning and artificial intelligence (ML/AI) algorithms.
Built by engineers for engineers in precision manufacturing, the LinePulse SaaS suite of solutions is forged from industrial experience and driven by data science. It enables companies like yours to turn complex product data into actionable insights that optimize production, improve product quality, and boost the bottom line.
Want to learn more? Get in touch.
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