At Konnected, our mission is two-fold. Firstly, we strive to elevate industry standards and bring about a modernization of technology expectations and systems. Secondly, on a personal level, we are driven by the mission to work on projects that ignite our passion rather than simply pursuing projects for financial reasons. We firmly believe that implementing smart systems not only enhances the efficiency of manufacturing industry employees and professionals but also contributes to a healthier work-life balance for them.
Tell us about yourself?
With a long history in manufacturing engineering and management, we know the struggles of finding SAS solutions that work not only for an individual process but also provide useful information about your entire facility. Our motivation for entering this field was to address the prevalent issues that traditional solutions tend to overlook, leaving behind a significant 20 to 30 per cent gap. We recognized that these solutions often fall short, only resolving around 70 per cent of the problem, resulting in wasted time, money, and resources that frequently go unused.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
George Speirs – If I were to offer advice to my past self, it would be to keep going, as things have a way of working themselves out. Solutions often arise, even when we momentarily forget that fact.
What problem does your business solve?
Cameron Speirs – While many manufacturers possess smart machines, it’s crucial to differentiate between having smart components and operating a truly smart factory with efficient processes. Merely having intelligent machinery doesn’t guarantee seamless communication between them. Sadly, the industry’s prevailing norm is a lack of coordination among assembly products, which leads to substantial underutilization of smart technology by approximately 90 per of the workforce. Our goal is to simplify the manufacturing experience, enabling anyone to come to work, perform their tasks, and accurately predict the outcomes.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
Cameron Speirs and George Speirs – A significant source of inspiration for us stems from the manufacturing industry and the realization that there are numerous challenges related to tracking and monitoring. We observed that existing solutions only addressed around 70 per cent of these issues, and the addition of multiple systems further rendered the situation unsustainable. This drove us to leverage our knowledge and expertise to build better, more comprehensive systems that address the complete spectrum of challenges. Additionally, we were pleasantly surprised by the advanced level of technology observed in high-tech companies. We initially expected a considerable time lag or a 10-year gap between cutting-edge technologies in universities and their practical application. However, we discovered that many partnerships showcased technologies that were already 30 years old. This realization motivated us to push boundaries and introduce truly innovative solutions in the industry.
What is your magic sauce?
Cameron Speirs and George Speirs – In a broader sense, we didn’t feel constrained by the typical mould of a solution, as seen in larger corporations. Our unique approach blends elements of Software as a Service (SaaS) but with a distinct elevation. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, our offerings are highly tailored to each client’s specific needs. While our core definition aligns with SaaS, our solutions go beyond by leveraging our extensive industry insights gained from years of hands-on experience. We want to emphasize to our future clients that while superficially similar, not all solutions are equally valuable. A solution that is only 70 or 80 per cent useful falls short of being truly effective. Our unwavering commitment to perfection, coupled with our practical manufacturing expertise, focuses on closing that crucial 20 or 30 percent gap, resulting in remarkable outcomes for our clients. Whether it’s enhancing safety protocols, maximizing workforce efficiency, or accurately predicting outcomes, we strive to deliver unparalleled value.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
George Speirs – Our vision is for the modules we have developed, encompassing the most essential solutions in smart manufacturing, to gain widespread recognition and adoption among clients worldwide. Additionally, we aim to collaborate closely with our clients to tailor the remaining 20 per cent of their business requirements, ensuring a customized fit that aligns perfectly with their unique circumstances.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
The biggest challenge in creating essential solutions for smart manufacturing is dealing with the complexity and diversity of manufacturing processes. Each industry and business has its own unique requirements, workflows, and technologies, making it tricky to pinpoint the most crucial pain points and come up with effective solutions. Plus, keeping up with the ever-evolving technologies and industry trends adds another layer of challenge. To tackle these hurdles, we collaborate closely with manufacturing experts, conduct thorough research, and gather feedback from end-users. It’s all about gaining a deep understanding of the manufacturing landscape and staying flexible in our solution designs. By leveraging data-driven insights, using agile development methodologies, and constantly iterating based on user feedback, we can overcome these challenges and create great solutions for smart manufacturing.
How can people get involved?
Cameron Speirs and George Speirs – We are actively seeking clients with distinctive smart manufacturing projects. If you have such a project, we encourage you to reach out to us directly. Moreover, we are also interested in engaging with clients from different industries who are keen to explore a demo and witness firsthand how our solution can address challenges across various sectors. You can email us at George@konnectedtechnology.com.
