In the dynamic landscape of manufacturing, cybersecurity is no longer a concern confined to IT departments but a strategic imperative for organizational leaders. Recent events, including new SEC reporting rules and high-profile hacks targeting manufacturers, underscore the critical need for a proactive and comprehensive cybersecurity approach in 2024.

Securing operational technology (OT) poses unique challenges. The decision to allocate responsibility for OT cybersecurity within the IT department or establish a separate OT group hinges on a careful cost-benefit analysis, with investments in OT security proving increasingly beneficial in 2024.

Manufacturers must prioritize the security of AI implementations to prevent cyber threats that could transcend the cyber-physical barrier. On a positive note, AI can enhance cybersecurity by efficiently sifting through vast amounts of security data and augmenting analyst capabilities. While the cloud offers scalability and cost-effectiveness, it also presents cybersecurity risks. Manufacturers must actively enforce security policies for data stored in the cloud, including auditing, categorizing, and specifying storage parameters.

In conclusion, a proactive and layered cybersecurity approach is essential. Organizations that prioritize cybersecurity hygiene early on can confidently navigate SEC reporting requirements and ward off cyber threats. Collaboration between security teams and organizational leadership is pivotal to striking the right balance between security, user convenience, and technological innovation.

As we progress into 2024, investing in these core cybersecurity defenses will significantly reduce the risk, ensuring a secure future for the manufacturing sector. If your organization has interest in the new ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Information Technology Artificial Intelligence Management System Certification, reach out to us to connect with a project manager in your area. Feel free to contact us by phone at (248) 358-3388 or email pjr@pjr.com.

Given the dynamic nature of our industry, quality management undergoes constant evolution in response to shifts and emerging trends affecting technological progress. Trends like the integration of data-driven insights and the implementation of AI-driven automation play a pivotal role in shaping quality management practices. These trends not only address traditional aspects of quality assurance but also incorporate innovative strategies aimed at enhancing productivity, mitigating risks, and fostering overall operational excellence. Here is our list of the top 10 trends to watch in 2024 while unveiling the future of quality management:

1. Immersive Technologies: Traditional operator training methods face challenges in realistically simulating scenarios. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) mitigate this by providing interactive and immersive training environments.
2. Computer Vision: Manual inspection is time-consuming and prone to errors. Computer vision algorithms automate visual inspection, ensuring consistent and accurate product quality assessments.
3. Quality Control with IoT: IoT devices embedded in manufacturing equipment enable real-time data collection, ensuring continuous monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs) and immediate detection of deviations from quality standards.
4. Blockchain Traceability: Blockchain technologies maintain transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain, reducing the risk of counterfeit or substandard products.
5. Robotic Process Automation (RPA): RPA automates time-consuming data entry tasks, reduces human errors, and enhances compliance with quality standards.
6. Tech-driven Continuous Improvement: Data analytics and performance monitoring software enable real-time data analysis, identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies for swift corrective actions.
7. Big Data & Analytics: Big data platforms process vast amounts of data generated during production and quality control processes, providing insights into quality management operations.
8. Cloud-based QMS: Cloud-based quality management solutions facilitate collaboration among teams, suppliers, and stakeholders, while offering scalable storage capabilities.
9. Digital Twins & Simulations: Digital twins offer virtual replicas of physical products or processes, enabling real-time monitoring, analysis, and testing.
10. Zero Waste Strategies: Zero waste quality technologies optimize resource utilization, reduce scrap, and maximize product yield, promoting sustainable practices.

By aligning with companies driving advancements in immersive technologies, computer vision, IoT, blockchain traceability, RPA, continuous improvement, big data, cloud-based QMS, digital twins, and zero waste strategies, Perry Johnson Registrars positions itself at the forefront of quality control evolution. These trends not only meet rising customer expectations but also ensure global supply chain quality, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. PJR stands as a trailblazer, leveraging these transformative technologies to elevate quality standards and enhance customer satisfaction in the ever-evolving landscape of quality management. Feel free to contact us by phone at (248) 358-3388 or email pjr@pjr.com.

In the dynamic landscape of manufacturing technology, 2024 promises to be a pivotal year marked by the maturation and widespread adoption of certain transformative technologies. In the current horizon, three key technologies stand out: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented/Virtual/Mixed Reality (XR), and the utilization of data and analytics.

AI’s journey in 2023 was characterized by the fervor surrounding generative AI, but the focus now shifts to pragmatic applications. Despite initial hype, AI deployment faces hurdles due to a lack of operator trust and demands for concrete use cases, particularly in quality management processes. However, industry leaders are foreseeing AI’s integration across business facets, enhancing predictive insights, task automation, and human-AI synergy.

XR technology finds its stride in manufacturing, revolutionizing design visualization, safety training, and global collaboration. While initial excitement around the “industrial metaverse” fizzles out, experts anticipate a resurgence of interest in AR/VR, especially with Apple’s Vision Pro release. However, challenges persist in smart glasses’ accessibility and market readiness.

Amidst these advancements, data digitization emerges as a leading strategy. The evolution of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems empowers manufacturers with comprehensive data capture, from basic production tracking to complex AI-driven predictive analysis. Nonetheless, challenges persist in managing, extracting, and leveraging data insights effectively.

Manufacturers in 2024 must embrace these technologies judiciously, recognizing their potential while addressing challenges to ensure a seamless integration that enhances productivity, safety, and operational efficiency. The year ahead heralds a transformative era where AI, XR, and data-driven strategies converge to reshape the manufacturing landscape. As we bid farewell to a transformative year, PJR is leading the way into AI Management Systems Certification. If your organization has interest in the new ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Information Technology Artificial Intelligence Management System Certification to reach out to us to connect with a project manager in your area. Feel free to contact us by phone at (248) 358-3388 or email pjr@pjr.com.

As the curtains draw to a close on 2023, we navigated a year entrenched in the realm of Artificial Intelligence. The era of AI becoming mainstream was both awe-inspiring and bewildering, marking a pivotal chapter in our technological saga.

At the heart of the AI fervor stood ChatGPT, a testament to recent strides in computer science. Yet, alongside the excitement came waves of apprehension. The onset of the AI panic emerged swiftly in classrooms globally as ChatGPT, hailed for its capabilities, encountered resistance from educational institutions grappling with its influence on students’ work ethics.

The escalating concerns extended beyond academia, infiltrating creative industries. Writers, artists, and entertainers found themselves in a tussle with AI-generated content that challenged their livelihoods. The emergence of deepfakes plunged political landscapes into uncertainty, blurring the lines between reality and deception.

Amidst the chaos, OpenAI, the architect behind ChatGPT, weathered internal turmoil while legislative bodies worldwide grappled with enacting AI regulations. While AI isn’t a newcomer to commercialization, the magnitude of its impact in 2023 signaled uncharted territory. Tom Gruber, co-founder of Siri Inc., emphasized that the current AI wave presents unparalleled possibilities and dangers.

Looking ahead, 2024 looms with the impending threat of AI-generated deepfakes influencing major global elections. The tantalizing prospects of AI-driven digital assistants promise efficiency but raise red flags concerning privacy invasion.

As we bid farewell to a transformative year, PJR is leading the way into AI Management Systems Certification. If your organization has interest in the new ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Information Technology Artificial Intelligence Management System Certification to reach out to us to connect with a project manager in your area. Feel free to contact us by phone at (248) 358-3388 or email pjr@pjr.com.

Perry Johnson Registrars recently resumed its highly anticipated annual in-person training sessions for sales representatives and auditors. The event featured a lineup of distinguished speakers, including Brett McMillan, Shannon Craddock, Amanda Brown, Lauren Maloney, John Laffey, Austin Mathews, and Tanner Campbell.

Key highlights of the training included a comprehensive review of sales figures for the year, recognition of top performers, in-depth analysis of sales statistics and reports, and an insightful discussion on strategic plans for 2024. The return to face-to-face interaction fostered dynamic discussions and networking opportunities, allowing participants to gain valuable insights and collaborate effectively.

Perry Johnson Registrars reaffirms its commitment to providing top-notch training and fostering professional growth within its sales and auditing teams. The success of this event sets the stage for an exciting and productive year ahead! Looking forward to an amazing 2024!