Manufacturing plays an incredibly critical role in shaping the future success of nations around the world. Here in the USA, we are poised to change what that future might look like. Nearly 30 years ago, I was inspired by computer games. Games by Id Software and Blizzard captured my attention for days, weeks, months on end. The silver lining was early on (e.g. the Doom days). … [Read more...]
FMG No. 19 – Stretch Goals and Time with AI
I recently "vibe coded" (described what I wanted an app to do in plain language, and an AI tool wrote the actual code for me) an app I use every single day, all day, to work smarter and faster. I opened Cursor, described the need in plain English, and let it do its thing while I was guiding the effort. If that sounds impossible, remember how quickly tool-chains evolved around … [Read more...]
FMG No. 17 – AI as a Tool for Professional Development
I recently merged another topic into our website, Getting Started with AI in Manufacturing. If AI is new to you, that article is geared towards reluctant, casual and other people looking to get started using LLMs such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Grok3. Knowing the manufacturing community has some very sensitive issues around trade secrets, controlled materials, etc. I emphasized … [Read more...]
Getting Started with AI in Manufacturing
AI has already become indispensable for many of us. I definitely understand reluctance on the subject. What do business people hate most about AI? Let's find out, with some help from Grok3! This article is geared towards reluctant and casual users of AI and those looking to get started. As always, we will emphasize issues that matter most to manufacturers, because we live and … [Read more...]
2025 Relaunch of the Five Minute Gemba
Welcome back! After a hiatus, I am excited to reintroduce the Five Minute Gemba newsletter. As we step in to 2025, I want to share some reflections, news, and set the tone for the new year for the newsletter and beyond. Reflections on 2024, LLM Influence Last year I discovered a powerful ally, what I dubbed my "best $20 a month employee" aka ChatGPT. I then started working … [Read more...]
Unified Name Space (UNS): Future-Proofing Manufacturing for the AI Era
In manufacturing, data isn’t just information—it’s a potential treasure trove of insights. With advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and neural networks become more approachable, preparing to manage and integrate data effectively today is crucial. At Managed Solutions, we’ve built our reputation bridging IT and OT systems including ERP and MES … [Read more...]