STRATEGIC DIRECTION IN CHOOSING SOFTWARE FOR iMOM The evaluation and selection of the solutions for iMOM pose a significant challenge because of the continuously changing technology environment and solution provider landscape, as well as evolving capability enhancements of various software. Both enterprise system vendors from level 4 and plant automation system vendors from level 2 are penetrating the level 3 space, aiming to increase their market share and keep them relevant. Does an operating company place its bets on a single enterprise software vendor and follow its road map into the iMOM space? Or, does it make a strategic decision on an automation vendor and follow its roadmap into the iMOM space? Or, does it choose from an iMOM software provider’s “stack” and work with the strategic roadmap regarding functional coverage needed to run the business and support the integration with the enterprise and automation systems? Another option is to choose a “best of breed” approach to define and implement its own iMOM strategy. The dominant factors for iMOM technology selection include: Integration simplicity – software “suites” are expected to have native integration and a roadmap to maintain this simplicity Functionality – sufficient features, accuracy, resiliency and scale for each function. Software well suited for one segment of manufacturing is often poorly suited for other segments Proven in use for iMOM – software must be suitable for realizing a flexible, complete iMOM solution. The software provider must provide case studies and references where they have implemented iMOM software as part of an enterprise strategy iMOM Supply from Enterprise Software and Automation Software Vendors Traditional ISA-95 level 4 software vendors, such as those who offer Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and other enterprise functions, are entering the iMOM market with earnest in recent years. This move is both through development of one’s own iMOM software as well as through acquisition of iMOM software providers or software products. Although enterprise software vendors may offer iMOM software, their primary intent has always been to maximize the value and differentiation of their ERP software. Over time, some of these software products have evolved to become good for some industry segments and for some iMOM functions. Examples include: HSE tracking, reporting and visualization Preventative maintenance management, which is not the same as predictive or prescriptive Planning, scheduling and execution for discrete manufacturing Cognitive or other forms of artificial intelligence, especially for more complex manufacturing behaviors such as multiple sites, HSE, crisis management etc. Enterprise software vendors often approach iMOM from an IT and enterprise-centric viewpoint, due to their experience in the enterprise applications environment. Their primary clients are enterprise managers and executives, providing them with insights into how senior executives evaluate the priority and business value of software. This gives these vendors several advantages over traditional automation vendors, but it also limits their ability to understand operations management requirements and functionality. The ISA-95 level 2 automation vendors often approach iMOM from an automation-centric viewpoint, due to their experience with manufacturing optimization, operations tracking and diverse analytics focused on manufacturing equipment. Their primary clients are site managers and technical specialists, providing them with insight on functionality required for specific industry segments and manufacturing equipment. This gives these vendors several advantages over enterprise software vendors, but it can limit their ability to understand integration requirements with enterprise software and to understand how clients’ senior management evaluates the priority and business value of software. Table 3: Example comparisons between iMOM and enteprise software products iMOM Solution Pillars The iMOM solution must take into account the overall business environment and the larger organizational impact, as well as the specific aspects of manufacturing, in order to support integrated cross-functional decision-making within the organization. The main aspects of the iMOM solution, which should be carefully considered when technology is selected for an iMOM solution, are described in the remainder of this section. Solution Feature Sets Enterprise software vendors’ solutions in the iMOM space typically focus on analysis and reporting, integrating into the underlying iMOM solutions to obtain the data they require.