Industrial Equipment & Electronics
Smart with Precision: Conquering Challenges in Industrial Equipment & Electronics
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Industrial Equipment & Electronics are an industry that encompasses a wide range of companies involved in the manufacturing, distribution, and maintenance of machinery, equipment, and electronic components used in industrial settings.
It plays a crucial role in supporting various industries, including high-tech, manufacturing, energy, transportation, healthcare, aerospace, and defence, by providing the necessary tools, technologies, and infrastructure for efficient and reliable operations.
This industry is facing challenges like cost-effective production, supply chain efficiency, and compliance with regulations. Emphasis on sustainability, cybersecurity, and the need for skilled professionals due to technological advancements like AI, IoT, and automation. Balancing these pressures requires agile strategies, innovative solutions, and close collaboration across the entire value chain to maintain competitiveness and sustain operations effectively.
Adapting to Technological Advancements and Market Dynamics
A major challenge is the fast pace of technological advancement. Technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and automation not only enhance efficiency but also usher in a new era of complexity. As products get more complex, there’s a growing need for skilled professionals to manage this intricate terrain. The combination of AI and IoT is pushing industries into new areas, requiring skills in data analytics, software development, and system integration. Automation increases speed and reliability but also brings challenges, including the need for strong cybersecurity measures.
In this ever-changing environment, the ability to adapt and innovate is crucial, positioning professionals as the key to success. However, as technology advances rapidly, keeping up becomes harder, highlighting the need for continuous learning and upskilling. Being agile and forward-thinking is essential to staying ahead in the innovative industrial landscape.
ALTEN, a major player in the industrial equipment & electronics sector
ALTEN offers innovative solutions with a strong international presence and thousands of engineers worldwide. Our ALTEN Delivery Centres (ADCs) are central to providing project management, engineering support, and technical expertise, showcasing our ability to meet high-quality standards for leading companies. Our unique expertise in both Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) allows for an integrated approach that optimises processes and unlocks new opportunities in a digitised world. Additionally, our capability to cover the full spectrum of technical competencies enables us to deliver comprehensive solutions across hardware, software, and data, addressing the complex challenges our clients face.
ALTEN in the industrial equipment
& electronics industry
380M€
2023 turnover
5000+
consultants at the end of 2023
20
countries
What are the market trends in the Industrial Equipment & Electronics industry?
The environmental impact of the industry is a pressing global challenge. Research has shown that the industry is a significant emitter of greenhouse gases, contributing to the climate crisis. Furthermore, e-waste from electronic devices poses environmental risks, including air quality degradation and toxic accumulation in the environment. As the industry continues to grow, evaluating and addressing the true environmental footprint of electrical equipment becomes increasingly crucial for sustainability efforts.
Challenges:
- Energetic efficiency
- Decarbonisation
- Digital Responsibility
The industry is increasingly embracing the trend of becoming “smart” through Industry 4.0 or smart factory initiatives. This involves integrating technologies like IoT/OT convergence, AI, and automation to optimise efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance productivity.
Challenges:
- Cybersecurity risks
- Integration complexity
- Bridging the skills gap
- Costs and Return on Investment (ROI)
Companies are leveraging sensor technology, data analytics, and predictive maintenance techniques to monitor the performance and condition of equipment in real time. The predictive maintenance allows for early detection of potential issues, minimising downtime, optimising maintenance schedules, and extending the lifespan of critical machinery.
Challenges:
- Management and analysis of large data volumes
- Interoperability and integration
- Accuracy and reliability
- Cybersecurity and data privacy
Manufacturers are more and more pursuing greater precision while simultaneously meeting the demand for high-volume production. This drive is fuelled by the need for faster and more precise machinery capable of producing smaller components with meticulous accuracy.
Challenges:
- Quality control
- Innovation and new technologies
- Cost-effectiveness
- Downtime and maintenance
Lessons learned from recent geopolitical shifts, the pandemic, and changing societal attitudes have prompted companies to invest in strategies that enhance supply chain flexibility, diversify sourcing options, and incorporate sustainable practices to mitigate risks and ensure long-term viability.
Challenges:
- Building resilience to global crises or future pandemics
- Incorporating sustainable practices into operations
- Regulatory compliance
- Supply chain complexity
ALTEN VALUE PROPOSITION
ALTEN’s functional sectors
- Robots and Robotic Systems
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
- Industrial Control Systems (ICS)
- Motion Control Systems
- Sensors and Instrumentation
- Machine Vision Systems
- Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
- Industrial Networking and Communication
- Integration and Software Solutions
- Wafer Fabrication Equipment
- Lithography Systems
- Assembly and Packaging Equipment
- Advanced Packaging Solutions
- Process Control and Inspection Systems
- Services and Support
- Agricultural Equipment Manufacturing
- Robotic Milking Systems
- Livestock Management Systems
- Farm Machinery
- Robotic Sorting and Processing
- Automation and Control Systems
- Sustainable Solutions
- Cranes and Lifts
- Piling and Foundation Equipment
- Construction Equipment
- Specialized Tools and Attachments
- Automation and Technology Solutions
- Maintenance and Servicing
OUR SUCCESS STORIES
As the resolution of screens becomes higher, the accurate placement of LEDs for backlighting or screen pixels becomes inherently harder. Together with a manufacturer of pick-and-place machines, ALTEN worked on the development of a new system that uses lasers, instead of the traditional methods, to place LEDs.
ALTEN, in collaboration with a Dutch company specialising in machines and mechatronic systems, developed an innovative solution to automate the leaf-cutting process in greenhouses. The solution uses artificial intelligence, algorithms, and path planning to navigate through the greenhouse, allowing a SCARA robot to then cut it, following the guidelines of the greenhouse grower.
Leveraging years of excellence in the development of embedded systems, ALTEN has developed Sensor Gateways (SG) for windmills for a leading provider of Renewable Energy Solutions in Europe. Multiple SGs located in each windmill collect the data from onboard & BLE sensors and push it to Cloud for further data analysis for preventive maintenance – leading to a significant reduction in downtime and the cost of maintenance.
For a major automotive OEM, ALTEN has designed an AI/ML-based data analytics solution for anomaly detection in factory production lines of automotive electronics. This results in significant cost savings due to preventive maintenance of critical machinery, reducing waste and thereby improving production yield. This is one of the many examples depicting ALTEN’s vast experience in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) with IT/OT Integration.
OUR CLIENTS
Industrial Equipment
- Siemens
- Shneider Electric
- ABB
- Kone
- Saint-Gobain
- Valmet
Electronic
- ASML
- Infineon
- HP
