The Improving Effect of SCADA and Analytical Software on OEE

[Erkan Teskancan]

## The Improving Effect of SCADA and Analytical Software on OEE

To enhance production operations and achieve operational excellence, both OEMs and end-user manufacturers are seeking new strategies through digital transformation. In this process, manual practices are being replaced by technology, increasing operational visibility and analytical capabilities.

### OEE-Focused Approach

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) stands out as a critical metric for measuring the performance of both production processes and individual machines. OEE is based on the components of availability, performance, and quality, and the simultaneous monitoring of these three indicators is essential for high efficiency.

However, these data are often difficult to access because they are scattered across different PLCs with complex access requirements or recorded on paper. This situation makes real-time analysis and intervention challenging.

### The Role of SCADA and Analytical Software

The most important step in achieving digital transformation is to increase the visibility of operational data and improve analysis processes. Integrated analytical solutions with SCADA software should provide comprehensive data processing capabilities from sensors to the edge and the cloud.

Operators should clearly see machine performance and downtime reasons, and instantly detect production status and quality issues. This allows for real-time performance tracking and problem analysis.

### Evaluating Equipment Accessibility

Unplanned downtime is one of the biggest productivity losses in production. In traditional systems, these downtimes were recorded on paper and analyzed later, but the information could be delayed and inaccurate. SCADA and analytical software integration enable operators to record and analyze downtime data instantly and accurately.

This way, downtime durations, reasons, and performance KPIs are automatically generated, and OEE calculations are performed in real-time.

### Quantifying Quality

When quality issues are detected through manual analysis, it becomes difficult to find permanent solutions due to the lack of data generated during production. In analytical systems integrated with SCADA, quality defects can be detected instantly and recorded along with production conditions. This accelerates root cause analysis, making it easier to find solutions.

### Encouraging Performance

While OEMs want to provide manufacturers with machines that help them better understand operational challenges, manufacturers aim to achieve production targets with real-time and accessible data. SCADA and analytical software enable real-time performance tracking on production lines, allowing for quick resolution of bottlenecks and quality issues.

In summary, integrated SCADA and analytical software solutions stand out as important tools for increasing production efficiency, minimizing breakdowns and quality problems, and optimizing OEE.