5 minutes with Michel Morvan, co-founder of Cosmo Tech

Michel Morvan co-founded Cosmo Tech, the 360° Simulation Digital Twin innovator for manufacturing, energy and mobility in 2010. An internationally renowned scientist, expert on complex system modeling and member of the OECD Network of Experts on Artificial Intelligence. Both an academic and entrepreneur, Morvan has been Chief Scientist & Corporate VP for Strategic Intelligence and Innovation at Veolia Environment and he is boosting the industry transformation in several organisations. 

Here, he tells us more about digital twins and the future of manufacturing. 

Cloud Computing, SaaS and the new normal for manufacturers

Over the last two to three decades, cloud computing and software-as-a-service (SaaS) have been increasingly gaining momentum in their adoption. More and more IT departments, CIOs, CFOs, CEOs and many other disciplines are now realising the extraordinary business benefits of Cloud/SaaS over their traditional in-house client-server IT architectures. 

Justifiably therefore, more and more manufacturers are actively switching their legacy quality management systems to more advanced cloud-based quality platforms, and for good reason. Simply put, in today’s ever-changing and volatile manufacturing climate, the cost advantages, power, and versatility of the cloud have become essential to survival. Coupling this with the advancement and maturation of core technologies, most organisations are now adopting a ‘cloud-first’ stance when selecting the latest and best in-class technology capabilities. 

The benefits of robotics in manufacturing warehouses

Technology, no matter how rudimentary, has long supported factory and warehouse environments. While the coming of the machine reduced the need for skilled human workers in some roles centuries ago, the tables have since turned. Now, robots and technology in contemporary warehouse settings enable organisations – particularly in the retail sector – to elevate human staff to new levels of importance. This is done by leaving the less desirable and more labour-intensive tasks to automated robots, while tackling shifting consumer and economic demands on retailers and their warehouses.  

Organisations are on the tail-end of COVID-19, with an uncertain future ahead which may or may not include a recession. It’s becoming harder to predict what’s around the corner due to fluctuating demand, increasing customer expectations and volatile energy costs. To protect their business, meet organisational objectives and provide quality customer service, leading retailers want to make their warehouses resilient, responsive and reliable, using the lessons learnt from the pandemic to accommodate the growing market. Robots are the answer.