By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.
PreferencesDenyAccept All Cookies
The Connected Factory Podcast
SAP + UMH for MES/ERP Integration

From Shop-Floor to Copilot | AI in Manufacturing

RSS Feed
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
In this episode, Niklas talks with Max Morwind from Microsoft about how AI, unified data, and cloud platforms are reshaping modern manufacturing. They discuss why many IoT projects never moved past the pilot stage, how MS Fabric is becoming the backbone for industrial analytics, and why organizational alignment is just as important as technical capability. The conversation highlights Europe’s competitive position, the rise of AI agents, and the role of partners in unlocking scalable transformation across global factory networks.

- How IoT evolved from early hype into a commodity layer for modern factories
- Why clean, contextualized data is the real foundation for AI success
- The importance of the Unified Namespace and standardized data flows
- How MS Fabric enables real-time analytics and end-to-end industrial insights
- Why HR, culture, and upskilling are critical parts of digital transformation
- The growing impact of AI agents across shop-floor and office workflows
- Brownfield vs. greenfield digitalization and what it means for competitiveness
- Why focusing on the right data reduces cost and improves model accuracy
- How partners, ISVs, and startups accelerate innovation on top of hyperscaler platforms
Max Morwind
Manufacturing Sales Director
Microsoft
Niklas Hebborn
CCO- UMH

Swedish OEM supplier reduces costs with resource and energy monitoring

Company Snapshot

Europe’s leading provider of innovative heating and charging solutions for the automotive industry. With over 100 employees, the company operates from its headquarters in Sweden.

Challenges

  • Small project team with limited resources
  • No live feedback from the shop floor
  • Heterogeneous machine park

Outcome

5%

Saved energy costs

90%

Reduced downtime due to lack of resources

20%

Reduced unplanned maintenance

Sonnländer increased asset productivity with OEE monitoring

Company Snapshot

Sonnländer, a subsidiary of EDEKA, is a leading producer of fruit juices and fruit-based products in Europe. With over 400 employees and 4 production facilities, it processes over 400,000 tons of fruit annually.

Challenges

  • Heterogeneous machine park
  • No live feedback from the shop floor
  • Internal resources need to focus on use cases, not infrastructure

Outcome

10-15%

Increased OEE

10-20%

Increased asset availability

>40%

Shorter root-cause problem solving

European energy producer increases implementation speed with Unified Namespace architecture

Company Snapshot

A major European energy company with a focus on renewable energy and innovative energy solutions. Employing over 75,000 people, it operates in multiple countries.

Challenges

  • Unstable internet connections
  • Limited throughput rate of OT systems
  • High reliability demands

Outcome

80%

Reduced integration time per use-case

60%

Reduced Mean Time To Detect (MTTD)

90%

Reduced integration maintenance

European energy producer increases implementation speed with Unified Namespace architecture

Company Snapshot

A major European energy company with a focus on renewable energy and innovative energy solutions. Employing over 75,000 people, it operates in multiple countries.

Challenges

  • Heterogeneous machine park
  • No live feedback from the shop floor
  • Internal resources need to focus on use cases, not infrastructure

Outcome

80%

Reduced integration time per use-case

60%

Reduced Mean Time To Detect (MTTD)

90%

Reduced integration maintenance

Previous Episodes

Building your In-house IIoT platform - Tactical Learnings

Kasper Karlsson Christiansen, Senior Platform Owner at VELUX, joins Alex to discuss his journey from electrician to building industrial IoT platform.
Listen here

Data Contracts and Unified Namespace in Manufacturing

Jeremy sits down with David Schultz from Rhize Manufacturing Data Hub to discuss the role of data contracts and the Unified Namespace (UNS) in modern manufacturing.
Listen here

Digitizing Pharma with Unified Namespace (UNS)

In this first episode of The Connected Factory podcast, Alex sits down with Jan Wokittel from Roche to explore the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in the pharmaceutical industry.
Listen here

Interested in the possibilities?See UMH in action!

Schedule a demo
United Manufacturing Hub

Interested in the possibilities?
See UMH in action!

Schedule a demo