To showcase the benefits of a unified manufacturing IT system, IT integration provider Ripley Solutions will exhibit at Drives and Controls at the NEC, Birmingham, from April 5-7. On stand M30 Ripley Solutions will demonstrate how manufacturers can upgrade IT and Operational Technology systems to improve quality tracking, site overview and data collection.

At the event, Ripley Solutions will offer a fresh perspective on how manufacturers can digitalise their operations by using the most effective solutions, not the newest. The company offers a range of IT services, including upgrading existing IT infrastructure, integrating IT and OT, cybersecurity and cloud solutions. Visitors will also be able to discuss more tailored solutions to suit their specific manufacturing requirements and how they can upgrade their existing systems.

Ripley Solutions has expertise in both IT and operational technology, so can offer visitors to Drives and Controls a holistic approach to meeting their individual IT requirements and developing a bespoke roadmap to digitalisation. The Ripley Solutions team can help to identify the pain points in the business, such as security vulnerabilities or high operating costs, understand the business goals and discuss how they can support the implementation of new systems.

“Manufacturers have been aware of Industry 4.0 for many years, but few have taken the steps to fully digitalise their factories,” explained Paul Holding, founder for Ripley Solutions. “At Drives and Controls, we want to demonstrate to manufacturers that realising Industry 4.0 does not require them to purchase the latest, shiny equipment. Instead, we can discuss their business goals and work backwards to understand the steps they can take to digitalise.

“Solely focusing on the IT solution will not provide the maximum benefit — it keeps IT separate from other operations. Ripley Solutions has experience in both fields, so can help manufacturers of any size integrate equipment that will enable them to improve resource efficiency, improve operations and remain competitive.”

Drives and Controls is the UK’s leading event for drives, power transmission and motion control. The event brings together the technological and engineering innovators that are pushing smart factories and Industry 4.0 forwards, making our manufacturing processes more productive, higher quality and more cohesive.