Javier Garcia Lopez with i4-Tech

Scott MacKenzie hosts an industrial talk podcast featuring Javier Garcia Lopez, co-founder of i4Tech, a company based in Singapore with a focus on Industry 4.0 in Southeast Asia. Javier discusses the challenges and opportunities in the region, emphasizing the importance of breaking the barrier to entry for manufacturing digitalization projects. He highlights i4Tech's solution, ActivaSuite, which allows for scalable and composable data collection and application development. Javier also touches on the role of AI in manufacturing, noting the increased interest and the need for practical, business-focused solutions. The conversation concludes with Scott encouraging listeners to reach out for further discussions and support.

Action Items

• [ ] Connect with Javier Garcia Lopez on LinkedIn or through the i4Tech website.
• [ ] Explore the i4Tech solutions and their approach to helping manufacturers in Southeast Asia adopt Industry 4.0.
• [ ] Consider attending the IoT Solutions World Congress event in Barcelona in May to learn more about industry 4.0 and connected asset solutions.

Outline

Introduction and Overview of Industrial Talk Podcast

• Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry innovations and trends.
• Scott highlights the importance of adoption and efficiency in industry 4.0 and 5.0 technologies.
• Scott mentions the upcoming IoT Solutions World Congress in Barcelona, May 13-15, and encourages listeners to attend.
• Scott invites listeners to amplify their messages and podcasts on the Industrial Talk platform.

Introduction of Javier Garcia Lopez and i4Tech

• Scott introduces Javier Garcia Lopez, co-founder of i4Tech, and their solution, ActivaSuite.
• Javier shares his background, including his education, work experience in Europe, and move to Southeast Asia.
• Javier discusses the founding of i4Tech during the COVID-19 pandemic and their focus on accelerating Industry 4.0 in Southeast Asia.
• Javier explains the challenges and opportunities in the region, highlighting the technical knowledge and business-friendliness of countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

i4Tech's Approach to Industry 4.0 and Activa Sweet

• Javier describes the initial frustration with traditional digitalization projects and the need for a more scalable and composable approach.
• i4Tech's solution, ActivaSuite, aims to break the barrier to entry for Industry 4.0 projects by offering a phased and scalable approach.
• Javier explains the importance of starting with clear business problems and using a unified data model for future applications.
• The company focuses on making Industry 4.0 solutions accessible and efficient for manufacturers in Southeast Asia.

Challenges and Solutions in Digitalization Projects

• Javier discusses the challenges of change management and the importance of involving business users early in the process.
• He emphasizes the need for clear communication and avoiding technical jargon to ensure adoption.
• Javier shares examples of successful projects, such as digitalizing quality inspection processes and energy management, completed in six to eight weeks.
• The company provides ongoing support and development to ensure the sustainability of digitalization projects.

Future of Manufacturing and AI

• Javier highlights the growing interest in AI and its impact on manufacturing, noting the confusion and hype around the term.
• He discusses the importance of having a solid data backbone and digitalizing business processes before implementing AI solutions.
• Javier mentions an upcoming seminar in Bangkok on implementing AI solutions for manufacturing, in collaboration with an Italian university.
• The seminar will cover both traditional machine learning and generative AI, aiming to provide practical insights for manufacturers.

Conclusion and Contact Information

• Scott and Javier discuss the importance of finding the right partners and companies to help navigate the digitalization journey.
• Javier provides his contact information, encouraging listeners to reach out on LinkedIn or through the i4Tech website.
• Scott reiterates the support and resources available on the Industrial Talk platform for manufacturers and industry professionals.
• The conversation concludes with a reminder of the upcoming IoT Solutions World Congress and the importance of staying connected and informed.