SPECIAL REPORT: DIGITALISATION FOCUS 34 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2023 www.hpmag.co.uk to generate highly precise demand forecasts. These forecasts are the foundation for proactive inventory management as automated systems continuously monitor inventory levels, and when predefined thresholds are reached, they trigger replenishment orders. What’s more, these technologies facilitate real time communication with suppliers, enabling them to align production schedules and deliveries with actual demand. This minimises lead times and reduces reliance on last minute orders. Like ABB and Microsoft, who have integrated Genix Copilot, companies can turn to AI technology to vastly improve their operations. As BW Businessworld reports, the technology has the potential to minimise unplanned downtime by up to 60% and even extend asset lifespan by up to 20%. This should not come as a surprise, as real time actionable insights allow for better decision making and increased productivity. Therefore, manufacturers who are aided with predictive maintenance capabilities and streamlined inventory management can reap efficiency gains, while leaving behind the era of last order letters and reactive supply chain disruptions. For companies that aren’t yet ready to advance to fully automated inventory management, AI can still be helpful in predicting when parts are likely to break, allowing plant managers to replace them before downtime occurs. By understanding the implications and proactive steps that can be taken, manufacturers can protect their critical assets and ensure the integrity of their production processes. Manufacturers frequently face a significant reliance on legacy systems and aging equipment. This dependency stems from various factors, including limited budgets, compatibility challenges and vendor lock-in. These constraints often hinder the adoption of modern technologies. However, this reliance on outdated equipment puts organisations at risk of cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The need for technological advancements becomes evident, yet many manufacturers continue to operate with ageing infrastructure. This situation leaves them susceptible to potential breaches and cyber threats. Finding a balance between cost-effective solutions and the necessity to upgrade is a critical challenge that manufacturers must navigate to enhance their cybersecurity posture and safeguard their operations against evolving risks. Legacy equipment frequently relies on outdated operating systems and software that have reached the end of their vendor support. Consequently, manufacturers using such equipment face a significant challenge in terms of security. Without vendor support, critical security updates and patches are no longer provided, leaving the equipment exposed to known vulnerabilities. This creates an attractive target for hackers who actively exploit these weaknesses to gain unauthorised access or disrupt manufacturing processes. The absence of security updates increases the risk of successful cyberattacks, potentially resulting in data breaches, production disruptions, or even physical harm to workers. However, the limitations of ageing equipment extend beyond the lack of vendor support. Another challenge arises Safeguarding legacy equipment: Addressing cybersecurity challenges for manufacturers In the fast-evolving digital landscape, manufacturers face unique cybersecurity challenges, with IoT devices experiencing an average of 5200 attacks per month. Add in ageing equipment, and the challenge to maintain operational resilience increases exponentially. Jeremy Whittingham, industry consultant and member of the Advanced Engineering team highlights the vulnerabilities associated with outdated technology and provides manufacturers with insights on mitigating risks.
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