David Paredes
Speaker at SOUTHWEST: David Paredes, Metals Application Engineer, Farsoon Technologies
Speaker at SOUTHWEST: David Paredes, Metals Application Engineer, Farsoon Technologies
SOUTHWEST Session:
SOUTHWEST Session: Register Here
Speaker at SOUTHWEST: Rob Sims, Founder & CTO, Alchemi Data Management, Inc.
SOUTHWEST Session: WIFI Network: MTS SOUTHWEST , SME-2025 password Safety: (214) 939-2942
SOUTHWEST Session:
SOUTHWEST Session: Your next efficiency breakthrough isn't hiding in a machine learning algorithm. It's walking around your shop floor right now. While manufacturing obsesses over AI, 85% of operations still depend on human expertise. The CNC programmer who knows exactly when to adjust spindle speeds. The veteran welder who spots perfect joints in seconds. The setup technician whose alignment cuts cycle times. These operators don't just run your processes, they've mastered them. They hold the institutional knowledge that separates good production from great production. But your systems can't see what they know, creating a costly blind spot. Mid-market manufacturers nationwide face the same challenge: valuable knowledge trapped in individual heads instead of being scaled digitally. The result is lost efficiency because operator expertise can’t integrate with core systems. Companies overcoming this aren’t layering more machine learning. They’re building systems that amplify human intelligence. They digitize workflows, connect teams to real-time data, and create interfaces designed around how operators think and work, not the other way around. In this session, Docket will reveal how shop floor digitization platforms close the gap between operator expertise and digital execution. You’ll gain practical insights into smart manufacturing systems that support your frontline, enabling faster setups, higher accuracy, and smoother production. At a time when manufacturers chase the next big overhaul, don’t overlook the team that got you here. The goal isn’t replacing human insight, it’s designing systems that can multiply it.
SOUTHWEST Session: Most manufacturers begin their AI journey with high expectations, yet research shows that 95 percent of GenAI projects fail to create real business value. A common trap is the shiny object syndrome, where leaders and empowered employees chase trendy tools that look impressive but do little to address core operational challenges. This is why only 5 percent of enterprise-built AI tools ever make it into production. The companies that succeed take a different path. They delve into the business itself, uncovering where AI can make the most significant difference. Predictive maintenance that prevents costly downtime, quality control that reduces waste, and supply chain optimization that improves resilience are just a few areas where measurable impact becomes possible. What often separates success from failure is expertise. Internal teams, no matter how skilled, can be limited by organizational bias, resource gaps, and familiar ways of thinking. That is why internal builds succeed only a third of the time. Third-party AI experts, on the other hand, bring fresh perspectives that identify blind spots, challenge assumptions, and apply proven frameworks that raise the success rate to nearly 70 percent. With the proper guidance, AI stops being an expensive experiment and becomes a powerful, revenue-generating asset. For manufacturers, this shift marks the difference between falling behind and building a sustainable competitive edge.
SOUTHWEST Session: In today’s manufacturing landscape, effective communication isn’t just about speed—it’s about intelligence. As the industry faces growing complexity across global supply chains, workforce dynamics, and customer expectations, the ability to turn data into dialogue has become a defining competitive edge. This session, presented by Epicor , explores how manufacturers can harness Artificial Intelligence to transform business communications —from automating customer and supplier interactions to enabling real-time insights across production, sales, and service operations. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of how AI-driven tools can streamline collaboration, reduce administrative overhead, and enhance decision-making accuracy across the enterprise. We’ll showcase real-world examples of manufacturers leveraging Epicor’s AI-powered solutions to personalize communications, predict operational needs, and empower teams to focus on innovation rather than information management. Whether you’re seeking to modernize internal workflows or elevate customer engagement, this session offers a roadmap to achieving measurable ROI through intelligent communication ecosystems. Takeaway: Discover how AI is redefining the way manufacturers connect, collaborate, and compete—one conversation 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.