Accenture and Dassault Systèmes link up on agile manufacturing

Working with a large industrial equipment company, Accenture and Dassault Systèmes are building and implementing a three-phase package that harnesses digital technologies to create a link between engineering and the manufacturing shop floor for non-repetitive manufacturing companies. The adaptive system provides a new level of continuity for product assembly including the sequence in which parts are built, and provides a better level of insight into the process for engineers and the assembly staff.

The first phase of the agile manufacturing system creates the theoretical assembly sequence required to build a product such as a train, airplane or digger. Phase two helps create, optimise and re-plan quickly an operational plan and schedule for each worker on the shop floor. The third phase creates a digital display of the schedule for each worker so they are able to refer to it. These three phases use Dassault Systèmes' products.

Replacing what has often been a paper-based process, Accenture and Dassault Systèmes are creating a system that provides a new digital link between the engineering team and the shop floor, allowing for real-time changes in the schedule. The agile manufacturing package can also provide insight and risk assessment into any proposed changes to a product or the assembly schedule before they are made, reducing down-time and creating more agile manufacturing.

Eric Schaeffer, senior managing director and head of Accenture's Industrial practice says: "Many companies struggle to improve manufacturing flexibility and sustain unexpected commercial or technical changes when production issues, missing parts or engineering modifications occur. A dedicated agile manufacturing solution will provide flexibility for configuration management and the ability for local plants to personalize products, as well as support for maintenance services."

Laurent Blanchard, Executive Vice President, Global Field Operations (EMEAR), Worldwide Alliances and Services, Dassault Systèmes, says: "The Industrial Internet of Things and other digital concepts are allowing manufacturers to embark on a new era of productive, sustainable and cost-effective processes that result in a better experience for their customers. We are extending our long-standing collaboration with Accenture to drive agile manufacturing in the age of experience. Companies can benefit from Dassault Systèmes' expertise in virtual manufacturing operations and data management applications and Accenture's best practices in integration services, business process re-engineering, change management and deployment."

For more information about Dassault Systèmes visit www.3ds.com.