Exploiting Embedded Intelligence in Manufacturing Decision Support

There have been many advances in the ability to embed intelligence into products and manufacturing equipment in order to collect important data using wireless, intelligent systems of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and networked sensors [[Xu 14]]. Similarly the ICT industries that support manufacturing businesses continues to expand and develop their range of decision support software across the full range of business requirements from shop floor systems, manufacturing execution systems, enterprise resource planning, product lifecycle management and supply chain management, etc. However, while each of these systems provides important capabilities, the ability to effectively interconnect them in a meaningful trans-disciplinary way is limited [HUB 14] and must be overcome if the visions of Industrie 4.0, 4IR and Smart Manufacturing are to be met.