Manufacturing & Mobility LIVE: Snowflake’s Greg Sloyer

December 17, 2024

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Greg Sloyer, Industry Principal for Manufacturing at Snowflake

Greg Sloyer, Industry Principal for Manufacturing at Snowflake details his vision for enhanced manufacturing

In a fireside chat at Manufacturing & Mobility LIVE, Greg Sloyer, Industry Principal for Manufacturing at Snowflake, discussed how breaking down data silos can enhance the manufacturing lifecycle.

He explored strategies to unify IT and OT systems, the role of cloud technology and the transformative potential of advanced analytics.

To watch Greg's fireside chat, click here.

The challenge of data silos

Greg begins by addressing a critical issue in modern manufacturing: the persistence of data silos.

These silos often stem from the separation between IT systems, such as ERP platforms that handle transactions, and OT systems that manage real-time manufacturing operations.

This divide – a legacy of how systems were historically designed – impedes the integration of critical data.

As manufacturers embrace Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing, bridging the gap between IT and OT data is essential for achieving seamless digital transformation. Greg notes that integrating these systems is challenging but critical for creating a unified platform for decision-making and optimisation.

Greg Sloyer, Industry Principal for Manufacturing at Snowflake

Strategies for integrating data

Greg advises manufacturers to prioritise data integration efforts based on business requirements and objectives. Rather than indiscriminately pooling data, organisations should focus on the most valuable datasets that directly address their operational goals.

He stresses the importance of establishing a strong data governance framework to ensure quality and consistency throughout the integration process.

“Applications come and go, but the foundation of data is critical,” Greg explains.

A methodical approach, driven by clear business objectives, avoids the pitfalls of building a system without immediate value. This strategy fosters a culture of continuous improvement and prevents the re-emergence of siloed data.

Greg Sloyer, Industry Principal for Manufacturing at Snowflake

Leveraging cloud technology

Greg highlights cloud technology as a cornerstone of breaking data silos. Cloud platforms offer unparalleled scalability, speed and flexibility, making them ideal for handling the complexities of modern supply chains and manufacturing processes.

He emphasises that the cloud's ability to consolidate and analyse data from diverse sources enables real-time decision-making across global operations. This includes everything from optimising supply chains to enhancing customer service.

By integrating data from connected devices like sensors and IoT-enabled products, manufacturers gain deeper insights into performance, quality and customer behaviour.

Key applications of data and analytics

Greg identifies several areas where data and advanced analytics are driving significant improvements in manufacturing:

Quality and yield optimisation: Machine learning models can analyse complex variables across manufacturing processes, identifying opportunities to improve product quality and yield.
Predictive maintenance: By leveraging sensor data and machine learning, manufacturers can predict equipment failures, minimising downtime and maximising asset utilisation.
Supply chain forecasting and risk management: Advanced analytics – including generative AI – provide actionable insights into supply chain risks by analysing news, reports and historical data. This allows companies to anticipate disruptions and adapt proactively.
Process improvement: Integrated data platforms enable manufacturers to streamline operations, enhance throughput and reduce cycle times, particularly in high-complexity industries like high-tech manufacturing.

Greg notes that the choice of analytics tools depends on the organisation's specific challenges and capabilities, from statistical models to generative AI.

Greg Sloyer, Industry Principal for Manufacturing at Snowflake

Starting the journey

For manufacturers at the start of their data integration journey, Greg recommends identifying the most pressing business needs and using those to guide early efforts.

Whether it’s consolidating ERP systems to gain visibility into global spending or integrating operational technology to optimise plant efficiency, the focus should be on areas with immediate value.

“Every organisation’s journey will be different,” he says, urging companies to align their data strategies with their unique goals and challenges.

The future of manufacturing data

Greg concludes by highlighting the transformative potential of advanced analytics and AI in manufacturing. With the rise of connected devices, cloud platforms and sophisticated data tools, manufacturers are better equipped than ever to optimise operations, improve customer experiences and innovate rapidly.

As he put it, “The right technology applied to the right task can unlock incredible opportunities across the manufacturing lifecycle.”

To watch Greg's fireside chat, click here.

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