Engineering ConsultingGive AI a useful job.
And a sound foundation.
A well-defined operating question, dependable data, and a way to measure the result come before a pilot. We help manufacturers build that foundation and decide where AI can be useful.
Readiness before a pilot
Start with the decision it should improve.
Introducing AI is an engineering decision. The starting point is the process: what your people are trying to accomplish, what information they have, and what would count as a useful improvement.
Sometimes the immediate need is clearer metric definitions, better data collection, a control change, or a simpler reporting path. We help resolve those prerequisites and choose a bounded use case before selecting tools.
AI readiness belongs in the same plan as process and metrics engineering and controls modernization, because they depend on the same operating reality.
Before a pilot begins
- A specific operating question and accountable owner
- Known data sources, definitions, quality, and access boundaries
- A baseline and measurable acceptance criteria
- Defined human review and operating limits
- A practical way to stop, compare, or revert the pilot
Practical scope
A pilot your team can evaluate.
Assess the data foundation
Review the available controller, HMI, and historian information against the question being asked. Identify missing definitions, gaps, or collection work.
Select a bounded use case
Define who will use the output and how it will inform a decision. Specify the operational benefit being tested and the constraints the pilot must respect.
Plan the engineering
Describe the information flow, interfaces, access requirements, and responsibilities. Keep the pilot’s boundaries explicit.
Evaluate against the baseline
Compare the result with the agreed starting point. Use the evidence to decide whether to continue, revise the question, or stop.
Start with a clear question