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SOUTHWEST Session: Manufacturers from fabricators to assembly shops are all challenged with workforce woes, the need to boost productivity and the endless quest for quality. Knowing automation is the answer is one thing, but actually finding real success with technology investments can feel challenging and risky. How do you know what will truly bring value to the organization? How do you determine the return? And now with the hype of Artificial Intelligence (AI) seemingly on every product, how do manufacturing leaders determine the right places to invest limited time and capital budgets? In this session, we will delve into the ever-evolving landscape of automation & AI in the factory and take a look at technologies that are having a real impact today across the shop floor. Then we will stare into the crystal ball to look forward at technologies that are on the near horizon that manufacturing leaders should be keeping an eye on. Covering important topics like human-robot collaboration, automated equipment tending, data-driven insights, cobot welding, predictive maintenance, robot guided vision, bin picking, collaborative automation, quality inspections, and much more, attendees should leave this session ready to make value-creating technology investments in their business. Join us as we explore how AI is reshaping the factory floor — one algorithm at a time.

SOUTHWEST Session: This demonstration showcases how agentic automation streamlines material replacement and inventory management using UiPath Maestro. The flow begins with an MTR (Material Test Report) being received, processed, and linked to its corresponding purchase order (PO). Upon identifying a defective material, the system transitions to a Maestro-driven workflow where an intelligent agent analyzes the issue, reviews inventory, and finds suitable substitute materials. The agent then recommends replacements based on availability and need. A human operator reviews and refines these recommendations—such as adjusting shipping quantities—and approves an automatically drafted email prepared by the remediation agent for the customer and requisition team. The demo concludes by highlighting how this automation fits into a larger source-to-pay and manufacturing management process, improving speed, accuracy, and end-to-end efficiency.

SOUTHWEST Session: The future of manufacturing is being reshaped by the integration of Acumatica, AI, ML, LLMs, and IoT. These technologies collectively drive unprecedented efficiency, innovation, and sustainability. Acumatica’s cloud ERP streamlines operations and scalability, while AI and ML optimize production, predict maintenance, and analyze data for smarter decision-making. LLMs enhance communication and automate documentation, and IoT enables real-time monitoring and interconnected smart factories. Together, they reduce costs, minimize waste, and foster agility, positioning manufacturers to thrive in a competitive global market. By embracing these advancements, companies can achieve long-term success, transform their operations, and lead the industry into a new era of productivity and sustainability.

Speaker at SOUTHWEST: Michael Molnar, Founding Director, NIST Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office

Speaker at SOUTHWEST: Joe Fetter, Director of Sales, Integris

SOUTHWEST Session: In today’s fast-evolving manufacturing environment, automation is no longer a one-size-fits-all solution. This session will explore the critical decision between deploying collaborative robots (cobots) and traditional industrial robots, offering clarity around when each choice makes strategic sense. While industrial robots excel in high-volume, high-speed, heavy-load operations—thriving in fenced-off cells for repetitive tasks—cobots are designed for safe, direct interaction with human workers, offering flexibility, ease of redeployment and quicker changeover.    Attendees will gain a framework for matching automation type to production need: evaluating criteria such as payload, cycle time, workspace environment, operator exposure, and change-frequency. We’ll also cover key trade-offs including installation cost, safety infrastructure, reprogramming agility and human-robot collaboration.    Through real-world use-cases and decision lenses, you’ll walk away with actionable guidance: when to choose a cobot for tasks like machine tending, light assembly or flexible layouts; when an industrial robot remains the superior option for brute strength, continuous throughput and long runs; and how future-oriented operations can combine both in hybrid strategies.    Join us if you’re looking to move beyond buzzwords and make informed automation choices that align with both current realities and future factory goals.

Speaker at SOUTHWEST: Colin Gilchrist, Digital Systems Product Manager, Phillips Federal

SOUTHWEST Session: Unexpected breakdowns, rising costs, and limited asset visibility continue to be a challenge for manufacturers, especially as teams face mounting pressure to do more with less – fewer technicians, tighter budgets, and limited time. But with the right technology and a practical approach to reliability, lean teams can shift from fighting fires to building long-term, operational resilience into every layer of production. In this session, we’ll showcase how manufacturers are using modern CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) tools to drive higher uptime, extend asset life, and reduce reactive work – all without needing additional headcount or new equipment. We’ll demonstrate how top performing teams have digitized preventive maintenance schedules, deployed QR code-enabled work orders, and built mobile-first maintenance workflows that keep machines running and teams aligned. Whether you’re still using spreadsheets or looking to get more out of your current system, this session will provide a clear blueprint for building a smart, scalable maintenance program.

SOUTHWEST Session: In today’s manufacturing environment, quality systems are often weighed down by the very tools meant to improve them. Multiple databases, disconnected platforms, and redundant processes can make even the most capable teams less efficient. Yet true excellence has never been about doing more — it’s about seeing clearly. In this session, James Lozos shares insights from over three decades working with manufacturers to design, implement, and sustain ISO-based management systems across aerospace, automotive, medical, and industrial sectors. Drawing on lessons from the field, he demonstrates how simplicity and integration — not complexity — drive productivity, consistency, and long-term success. Attendees will learn how to: Recognize where complexity hides in everyday processes Connect core quality functions to everyday workflow Adopt simple, best practices Align digital tools with ISO 9001’s process-based intent to achieve measurable efficiency

Speaker at SOUTHWEST: Mark Lilly, President & CEO, Lillyworks, Inc.