Digitalization Tech Talks

There are many facets to consider when it comes to digital transformation to best ensure a successful outcome.  In this episode we look at some of the considerations from an overall strategy and execution perspective.

Our guest is Anuradha Raman, a Digital Strategist in Bayer’s Product Supply organization.  In this role, Anu is responsible for measuring the progress of digital transformation at Bayer Crop Science’s 100+ manufacturing sites that focus on advancing regenerative agriculture.  Anu weighs many factors when it comes to deciding which are the best opportunities to pursue and how to proceed.

During our conversation we discuss “Enterprise Business Capability Models” and “maturity scales” involving people, process, and technology.  Don't miss this opportunity to learn about those terms and hear many excellent insights into the way that Bayer Crop Science is conducting their digital transformation.  Also, earn some great tips that may assist you in your journey!

Show Notes:

• Website: Business Architecture Guild (https://www.businessarchitectureguild.org/)

• Website: Collaborative Work Management Reviews and Ratings (bit.ly/44ZEP9E)

• Website: Farms of the Future (https://bit.ly/43Z1hh1)

• Website: Siemens – Digital Transformation (https://bit.ly/4dH4ohS)

• Google search prompt: “digital transformation maturity models based on enterprise business capability model”

Contact Us:

• Anuradha Raman - Email ([email protected])

• Anuradha Raman – LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/anuradha-raman-47215829)

• Don Mack ([email protected] and linkedin.com/in/don-mack)

• Jonas Norinder ([email protected] and linkedin.com/in/jonasnorinder)

Event Link:

• Reimagining Semiconductor Fab Operations with the Digital Twin – Wednesday, June 18, 12:00pmEDT (https://bit.ly/3ZzqMUn)

Welcome to another exciting episode of Digitalization Tech Talks! Join your hosts, Jonas Norinder and Don Mack, as they dive into the latest trends and innovations in digital technology within the process industries. In our 52nd episode, we're thrilled to welcome Robbie Peoples, the Director of Engineering at Cross Company, to discuss a topic we've yet to explore: mitigating risks in large integration projects.

As the process industries strive to stay competitive, integrating cutting-edge technologies into existing systems is more crucial than ever. But with innovation comes challenges and risks. This episode will uncover strategies for implementing new technologies and navigating the complexities involved. Robbie will share insights on developing robust quality assurance plans tailored to various industries and highlight the importance of testing and simulation for seamless integration.

Don't miss out – hit play and join us for an enlightening conversation on Digitalization Tech Talks!

Show Notes:

• Website (Cross): Legacy process control system migration (https://bit.ly/3XNmNCW)

• Podcast: Process control system migration with Cross (https://bit.ly/4i6Bg4m)

• Website (Cross): Design specification details (https://bit.ly/3G1eZaH)

• Case study (Cross): Kemira converts reactors to new product line (https://bit.ly/4jrIhxC)

• Website (Siemens): Accelerate Digital Transformation (https://bit.ly/4cmvYQV)

Event Link:

• Shaping Tomorrow’s Semiconductor Plant – a Visionary Leadership Event (bit.ly/424kEnx)

Contact us:

• Robbie Peoples ([email protected])  

• Don Mack ([email protected])

• Jonas Norinder ([email protected])

Open process automation is transforming the industrial landscape by moving towards open, standards-based, secure and interoperable automation.  In episode 51, we sit down with Kelly Li, the Commercial Lead for Open Process Automation (OPA) at ExxonMobil and an active contributor and recently elected forum co-chair in the Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF).  Kelly provides unique insights into this cutting-edge open architecture concept and its potential to revolutionize industrial operations.

In this episode, Kelly delves into the core principles of open process automation, explaining how it enables greater interoperability, flexibility, acceleration of innovation and value creation, and cost-efficiency for industrial facilities. She shares ExxonMobil's journey in embracing OPA and the tangible benefits companies can expect to receive. Listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the OPAF's role in driving the adoption of open process automation and Kelly's pivotal contributions to this industry-wide initiative as well as some of the challenges that can be expected and what might be coming next.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a true expert in the field. Tune in to episode 51 to learn how open process automation is shaping the future of industrial operations, straight from the perspective of ExxonMobil's Kelly Li.

Show Notes:

• News Story: A quantum leap forward (bit.ly/4j5ncJ8)

• Website: The Open Process Automation Forum (bit.ly/4j3LvXP)

• Website: O-PAS Certification (https://certification.opengroup.org/opas)

• Website: Integrated Open Process Automation (OPA) Testbed (bit.ly/3XxNDiu)

Contact Us:

• Kelly Li ([email protected])

• OPAF ([email protected])

• Don Mack ([email protected])

• Jonas Norinder ([email protected])

Event Link: Shaping Tomorrow’s Semiconductor Plant – a Visionary Leadership Event (bit.ly/424kEnx)

Episode 50 is here, and it's time to celebrate! Join hosts Jonas Norinder and Don Mack as they mark this milestone with an exciting discussion on the power of 5G, featuring special guest Mick Davies from Betacom. Discover how 5G is revolutionizing industrial applications by massively increasing connected devices and unlocking new opportunities for Industrial IoT. Mick shares insights on the rise of private 5G networks and their significant impact on the industry.

Tune in to explore real-world applications of 5G, its benefits for the process industries, and the challenges and opportunities it presents for industrial companies. Keep listening to help us continue producing high-quality content with our amazing guests for another 50 episodes and beyond!

Show Notes:

Website (OnGo Alliance): http://www.ongoalliance.org (https://bit.ly/4gJRNuf)   

Guide (OnGo): Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) for Dummies (https://bit.ly/4hNkg3q)

Website (NTIA): National Telecommunications and Information Administration (https://bit.ly/4hC4NmR)  

Website (Betacom): Betacom (https://bit.ly/3QlrI9S)  

Website (Siemens): Industrial 5G. Dedicated to Industry (https://bit.ly/3EeAvo1)  

Promotion link:

Cybersecurity webinar: Safeguarding critical facilities with comprehensive cybersecurity strategies (https://bit.ly/4gz9lco)

Contact us:

Mick Davies ([email protected])  

Don Mack ([email protected])

Jonas Norinder ([email protected])

Spoiler alert: Wacker Chemie turned what is often considered to be a necessary evil into an opportunity for progress.  In Episode 49 of the Digitalization Tech Talks podcast, we welcome Vishnu Sharma, Director of Project Engineering at Wacker, to discuss a transformative journey in the world of industrial automation and digital technologies. This episode dives into Wacker’s innovative approach to leveraging digital tools during a Distributed Control System migration, providing insights into how these technologies have revolutionized operations, engineering, and maintenance processes. Vishnu’s expertise and firsthand experience offer an in-depth look at the challenges and successes of navigating this complex undertaking.

Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on how Wacker integrated cutting-edge digital solutions to modernize its systems and drive efficiency. Vishnu shares practical examples of how this has enhanced decision-making, streamlined workflows, and improved overall system reliability. From digital twin simulation to mobile devices, the episode uncovers the pivotal role digitalization can play propelling a DCS migration to the next level, setting a benchmark for other organizations in a similar position to also take advantage of the opportunity that migration presents.

Show Notes:

• Website: Wacker (https://www.wacker.com/cms/en-us/home/home.html)

• Website: Migration of legacy systems and third party (https://www.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/process-control/simatic-pcs-7/migration.html)

• Video: Virtual Control via SIMIT VT-Simulator at Wacker in BBiW (https://youtu.be/3PnefXIeqCM?si=ZUMSGfo7m3nQAM3Y)

Webinar link:

• From Reactive to Proactive: Mastering Predictive Maintenance with AI—Siemens Webinar 2025 (https://www.semi.org/en/event/from-reactive-to-proactive-mastering-predictive-maintenance-with-ai-siemens-webinar-2025)

Contact us:

• Vishnu Sharma ([email protected])

• Don Mack ([email protected])

• Jonas Norinder ([email protected])

Join hosts Jonas Norinder and Don Mack on "Digitalization Tech Talks" as they dive into the transformative power of plantwide wireless connectivity with Katelyn DuBois from Dow.

In this episode, Katelyn shares how Dow implemented a robust wireless network across their manufacturing sites, overcoming significant challenges to enhance plant operations and reliability. Discover how this cutting-edge technology is revolutionizing Dow's workforce, from improving incident response times to transitioning from paper to digital procedures. Katelyn also discusses the future of digitalization at Dow and offers valuable recommendations for other organizations looking to implement similar systems.

Tune in for an engaging and insightful conversation that highlights Dow's innovative strides in digital operations.

Show Notes:

Website (Automation.com): Dow’s Private Cellular Network Empowers Manufacturing People (https://bit.ly/4g3SrTH)

Website (Siemens): Industrial wireless communication – always the right solution (https://bit.ly/3ODX22P)

Video (YouTube): Industrial Wireless LAN with Wi-Fi 6 (https://bit.ly/3ZkydxZ)

Whitepaper (Siemens): Wi-Fi 6 in Automation and Digitalization (https://bit.ly/49p4Wqk)  

Podcast (Siemens): DTT Episode 14 - Digitalization to the Field (https://bit.ly/3ZfAcDy)

Podcast (Siemens): DTT Episode 31 - Digitalization Demystified - Four Essential Technologies to Crack the Code (https://bit.ly/3DG2tsM)

Promotion link:

Realize LIVE event (focus on call for papers): Realize LIVE Americas Call for Speakers | Siemens Software

Contact us:

Katelyn DuBois (www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-kelsey)

Don Mack ([email protected])

Jonas Norinder ([email protected])

In this episode of the Digitalization Tech Talks podcast, co-hosts Jonas Norinder and Don Mack connect with Duncan Coffey, Global Director of Science & Innovation IT at DuPont, to discuss the critical role of IT in supporting R&D through digitalization and technology deployment with a focus on sustainability.

Insights are shared into how DuPont leverages digital tools to drive research and development in a way that aligns with the company’s sustainability goals. The conversation highlights the unique challenges of balancing technological innovation with environmental responsibility, exploring ways IT can enhance R&D processes while reducing the company’s environmental footprint. Duncan emphasizes the importance of cross-functional collaboration between IT and R&D teams to achieve digital transformation goals that not only advance technological capabilities but also foster sustainable practices.

Listeners gain a deep understanding of how digitalization is transforming traditional R&D in the chemical and materials science sector and learn about specific strategies and technologies DuPont uses to make these innovations both effective and environmentally conscious. This episode serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of digital technology, sustainability, and industrial innovation.

Show Notes:

• Website: Directive - 2022/2464 - EN - CSRD Directive - EUR-Lex (https://bit.ly/3Z6SpEM)

• Website: DuPont R&D – Science & Innovation (https://bit.ly/3O9oyoI)

• Website: From Challenge to Opportunity: How Sustainability and Digitalization are Revolutionizing Innovation in the Semiconductor Industry (https://bit.ly/40QAxPB)

• Website: Research and Development for the Future (https://bit.ly/3AHKMeo)

Upcoming Event/Speaking Opportunity:

• Siemens Realize LIVE: Realize LIVE Americas Call for Speakers | Siemens Software

Contact us:

• Duncan Coffey ([email protected])

• Don Mack ([email protected])

• Jonas Norinder ([email protected])

In another dynamic episode of Digitalization Tech Talks we are thrilled to delve into the transformative realm of generative AI with our special guest, Guy Bursell from Microsoft. If you’ve ever been curious about how GenAI can revolutionize the process industries, you’re in for a treat. We’ll uncover the myriad benefits it brings, from enhancing efficiency to driving innovation, and discuss the hurdles manufacturers might encounter. 

In this episode, you’ll discover: 

•  The fundamentals of generative AI and its potential to reshape manufacturing processes. 

• Real-world applications of GenAI in the process industries, showcasing its impact and success stories. 

• Strategic insights on how manufacturers can effectively integrate this cutting-edge technology into their operations. 

Join us as we explore the exciting possibilities of GenAI and provide actionable insights for leveraging this technology to stay ahead in the competitive landscape. Tune in and get inspired by the future of manufacturing! 

Show Notes: 

• Website (Microsoft): Artificial Intelligence Solutions | Microsoft AI (https://bit.ly/3UlhloZ)  

• AI Blog (Microsoft): Artificial Intelligence News and Updates (https://bit.ly/3AaYUws)  

• Industry Blog (Microsoft): Manufacturing and mobility (https://bit.ly/40drU19)  

• Press release (Microsoft and Siemens): Teamcenter + Microsoft Teams + OpenAI (https://bit.ly/3AbQvsC)  

• Website (Siemens): Unlocking the Power of Generative AI: Siemens Industrial Copilot (https://bit.ly/3UheCNx)  

• Blog (Siemens): NX Design - Siemens Software (https://bit.ly/3UnmJrP)   

Promotional link: 

• Global Hydrogen Conference, 2024: Global Hydrogen Virtual Conference 2024 (https://bit.ly/4fiTSNx)  

Contact us: 

• Guy Bursell ([email protected]) 

• Don Mack ([email protected]) 

• Jonas Norinder ([email protected]) 

What does it take to create a vision for digital transformation and then bring it to life?  That’s exactly what we discuss in this episode of Digitalization Tech Talks!  The company that achieved this is Midrex Technologies who specializes in direct reduction ironmaking technology in the steel industry. 

Join us as we interview Curtis Hughes, Midrex’s Chief Information Officer, about all the factors that went into their digitalization journey.  First presented at the Siemens Realize LIVE conference in May 2024, Curtis focuses on completing a “people-centric transformation” and all the benefits associated with it (please reach out to Curtis directly regarding his presentation).

Tune in as we delve into an array of topics related to the transformation including:

• Creating the vision

• Aligning the entire team, including company leadership and individual contributors throughout the organization, with the vision and strategy

• Overcoming challenges and resistance to change

• Collaboration and partnerships

• Outcomes and successes

Link to part 1 of this episode: https://bit.ly/47LWdOb

Show Notes:

• Website: Midrex (https://www.midrex.com/)

• Website: Realize LIVE: The Digital Transformation Conference (https://bit.ly/3XBfNIx)  

• Video: Del Costy on the Digital Future of Industry – Automate 2024 (https://bit.ly/3zJefUJ)

• Website: Siemens - Digital Transformation (https://bit.ly/3zopD8C)

Promotion links:

• ISPE Boston Product Show (October 2, 2024): Visit Siemens in Suite R74 (https://bit.ly/47EgyVA)

• Siemens: Chemistry is the future.  We can make it yours. (https://bit.ly/4dn7gyK)

Contact us:

• Curtis Hughes (https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtishughes)

• Don Mack ([email protected])

• Jonas Norinder ([email protected])

What does it take to create a vision for digital transformation and then bring it to life?  That’s exactly what we discuss in this episode of Digitalization Tech Talks!  The company that achieved this is Midrex Technologies who specializes in direct reduction ironmaking technology in the steel industry. 

Join us as we interview Curtis Hughes, Midrex’s Chief Information Officer, about all the factors that went into their digitalization journey.  First presented at the Siemens Realize LIVE conference in May 2024, Curtis focuses on completing a “people-centric transformation” and all the benefits associated with it (please reach out to Curtis directly regarding his presentation).

Tune in as we delve into an array of topics related to the transformation including:

• Creating the vision

• Aligning the entire team, including company leadership and individual contributors throughout the organization, with the vision and strategy

• Overcoming challenges and resistance to change

• Collaboration and partnerships

• Outcomes and successes

Show Notes:

• Website: Midrex (https://www.midrex.com/)

• Website: Realize LIVE: The Digital Transformation Conference (https://bit.ly/3XBfNIx)  

• Video: Del Costy on the Digital Future of Industry – Automate 2024 (https://bit.ly/3zJefUJ)

• Website: Siemens - Digital Transformation (https://bit.ly/3zopD8C)

Promotion links:

• ISPE Boston Product Show (October 2, 2024): Visit Siemens in Suite R74 (https://bit.ly/47EgyVA)

• Siemens: Chemistry is the future.  We can make it yours. (https://bit.ly/4dn7gyK)

Contact us:

• Curtis Hughes (https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtishughes)

• Don Mack ([email protected])

• Jonas Norinder ([email protected])