Manufacturing and service companies are constantly striving for greater efficiency by implementing processes like OEE, lean management, automation, and robotics. And, of course, embracing AI... or are they?
A recent survey revealed that while many companies acknowledge the need for AI, only a few are leveraging it strategically. Many are dabbling, but they aren't making the decisive steps necessary to harness its full potential.
Take, for example, a service provider like a facility management or catering company managing critical assets such as refrigerators and freezers in hospitals or catering environments. Or, consider a manufacturing company with diverse assets spread across multiple locations. Managing these assets and ensuring compliance is still, in many cases, a manual process—relying on spreadsheets, which are time-consuming and prone to error.
Historically, automating these processes was expensive because sensors required extensive cabling. However, with the advent of IoT (Internet of Things) wireless sensors, this barrier has been eliminated. These sensors can now be easily retrofitted and function independently of a company’s IT network, removing security concerns.
Despite the apparent benefits, many companies still resist adopting these "no-brainer" solutions. Instead, they continue using spreadsheets that merely “tick the box,” or replace assets on a fixed schedule or after breakdowns, without understanding the opportunities they're missing.
Here’s what they are overlooking:
The Power of Data.
Wireless sensors can continuously and reliably monitor the performance of critical assets—whether it's the temperature in fridges and freezers or the performance of key machinery in manufacturing processes. This data is automatically stored in a database and displayed on intuitive dashboards. With these insights, companies can easily spot inefficiencies, identify maintenance needs, and prevent minor issues from escalating into costly breakdowns.
But here’s where AI makes all the difference:
Why You Need to Act Now
By starting to collect and store data from sensors today, your business will have the foundation needed to leverage AI in 12-24 months. As AI technology continues to evolve, it will be able to analyze the patterns in this data—whether it’s compression cycles in refrigeration units or performance trends in machinery—and pinpoint maintenance needs, predict breakdowns, and optimize energy consumption. AI-driven insights will guide proactive maintenance, reducing unplanned downtime and maximizing asset efficiency.
Moreover, this data will directly contribute to your sustainability strategy, helping you reduce energy consumption, cut waste, and meet sustainability targets.
However, if you delay and stick with spreadsheets for another two years, it will take an additional 12-24 months to gather enough data for AI to deliver actionable insights. In other words, you’ll be two years behind your competition—losing money on unnecessary asset replacements, suffering more frequent unplanned downtime, wasting energy, and falling behind on productivity and sustainability.
The time to act is now.
By adopting IoT sensors today, you can position your company ahead of the competition, boost productivity, and lead the charge toward a sustainable, AI-driven future.
Don't wait—start now, and don’t let the AI revolution leave you behind.
