What is COMPASS?
COMPASS is a structured 3‑month programme for manufacturers to get started on the journey into data-driven process optimisation. This hands-on programme was developed by Katharina Roettger and team at the CPI based on years of experience introducing digital technologies to manufacturing firms and the process industries.
Through bespoke 1:1 work, we guide you through understanding the data you already collect and the data you are missing to make meaningful changes to your operations. This programme assists with ensuring that future processes are refined to eliminate waste and maximise opportunities for improvement and innovation.
Together we will identify opportunities and gaps for making the most of manufacturing data, de-risk larger-scale investment into digital technologies and explore analytics within your manufacturing site. We focus on understanding the current quality of data at your site and changes needed to move towards data-driven innovation including process optimisation, predictive maintenance or quality control.
About the programme
About Katharina Roettger
Dr Katharina Roettger is a Physical Chemist with nearly 10 years’ experience in the implementation of new digital technologies in the manufacturing sector. She is passionate about helping UK manufacturing firms getting a competitive advantage through data science. She leads the COMPASS team and is the point of contact for all enquiries.
About CPI
CPI is a leading independent and impartial technology innovation centre with several sites in the North East, employing more than 500 scientists, engineers, and dedicated support for cross-sector innovation. We are a founding member of the UK Government’s High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult.
Benefits for manufacturers
COMPASS helps leverage Digital Technologies to reduce costs, gain a competitive advantage and free up staff time from repetitive tasks. It is particularly suitable for manufacturers with legacy installations and for those starting out on their digital journey from scratch.
We put an emphasis on reviewing and planning the setup and use of data capture and data analytics, including advice on sensors/instrumentation, data pipelines, data analytics tools, simulation and modelling as well as inferential sensing. We will explore both bespoke and generic options to help you make informed choices.
Through COMPASS, we help companies work towards key performance indicators and market differentiators including:
Operational efficiency
Analyse and streamline end-to-end manufacturing workflows to eliminate process bottlenecks and maximize overall operational throughput.
Reduction in energy use
Identify energy-intensive stages across your production lines and provide actionable recommendations to implement low-carbon, energy-efficient technologies.
Reduction in waste/scrap
Optimise process parameters and material yields, minimising raw material losses and significantly cutting down on scrap generation.
Competitiveness
Benchmark your current operational performance against industry standards, equipping your business with the insights needed to maintain a distinct market edge.
Cost savings
Pinpoint financial inefficiencies across resource utilisation and facility operations to unlock substantial long-term bottom-line savings.
Increased productivity
Boosts your output capacity by resolving operational constraints and enhancing overall equipment effectiveness.
Faster turnaround and changeover times
Refine line setup procedures and workflow scheduling to reduce downtime during product transitions.
Site modernisation
Structured roadmap for integrating state-of-the-art digital, automated, and sustainable manufacturing technologies across your facilities.
Identification of future investment opportunities
Evaluate emerging technological trends and site capabilities to help prioritise strategic capital investments.
Foundation industries
Improve operational efficiency of legacy installations such as furnaces and dryers. Reduce running costs and emissions, with quantifiable gains in sustainability and productivity.
Food and feed
Enhance product quality and consistency of fresh produce or pet food. Improve consistency of quality control, transitioning to data-backed quality monitoring and documentation systems.
Home and personal care
Stay at the forefront of a fast evolving markets by reducing manual trial and error for consumer goods from shampoos to paints. Embed digital processes optimisation for rapid innovation and changeover.
How COMPASS works
COMPASS is a structured approach to identify hidden insights from your data from scratch. The programme lasts 1 – 3 months and is split into three phases and twelve practical steps. Overall aim is to identify digitalisation opportunities within your own site and provide a clear, detailed forward plan tailored to your company.
With comprehensive guidelines for assessing your processes, we ensure that digitalisation aligns with your operational and company objectives whilst minimising risk. We focus on practical elements, including:
Guidance
Providing clear and impartial support and guidance for adopting digital technologies.
ROI
Estimating the return on investment (ROI) for digital interventions.
Employees
Embedding your employees in the process.
Community
Building a peer community of practice for participants.
The three COMPASS phases
Survey
We start with the survey phase, in which we identify value drivers and challenges, create a process overview of your manufacturing site and an complete assessment of existing digital skills and data infrastructure.
Explore
In the explore phase, the core of COMPASS, we then conduct an assessment of existing data which is currently saved in digital form or otherwise. It includes data preparation, exploratory data analysis and easy-to-read visualisations. Feedback sessions ensure that the analysis is generating value for you and your operators.
Navigation
Finally in the navigation phase, we develop a roadmap and provide an opportunities and gap analysis. This phase concludes with a comprehensive report covering all three phases.
Start your journey into data-driven optimisation
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