In this episode of the Smart Metals Podcast, Luke van Enkhuizen and Denis Goncharov dive into a real-world case study of deploying a Unified Namespace (UNS) at a welding shop in the Netherlands using the United Manufacturing Hub (UMH).

They discuss the challenges of integrating ERP and MES systems, why traditional point-to-point connections often fail, and how a UNS enables real-time visibility, data flexibility, and scalability.

🔹 What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ Why a UNS was chosen over traditional integrations
✅ How the system was deployed in just one day
✅ The business benefits: real-time alerts, scalability & low cost
✅ How SMBs can leverage enterprise-grade software without major investment

🎧 Listen now and learn how to future-proof your digital transformation!

Timestamps:

00:00 – 🎙️ Welcome to the Smart Metals Podcast
00:50 – 🔍 Understanding the Client’s Needs
02:07 – 🏭 Why Choose a Unified Namespace?
05:43 – ⚙️ Implementing the United Manufacturing Hub
11:35 – 🔄 Deployment and Real-Time Success
20:47 – 🚧 Challenges and Lessons Learned
27:19 – 🌍 Future Prospects and Final Thoughts

Notable Quotes:

📢 "Why not just make a point-to-point connection between the ERP and the MES system? The answer lies in real-time visibility. We needed flexibility to change things over time, and the MES system was a closed, off-the-shelf solution. A Unified Namespace gave us the control we needed to integrate multiple systems seamlessly." – Luke van Enkhuizen

📢 "One of the key reasons we chose a Unified Namespace was future expandability. Today, we’re integrating ERP and MES, but tomorrow we may need to add SCADA systems, cloud data, or even CRM insights. With a UNS, we build an independent system that grows with the business." – Denis Goncharov

📢 "The biggest frustration with traditional point-to-point integrations is that they break. Data gets out of sync, connections fail, and you end up manually fixing errors. A UNS ensures that everything stays aligned in real-time without those fragile dependencies." – Luke van Enkhuizen

📢 "We managed to develop and deploy the entire solution in just one day. By following IT best practices and leveraging the United Manufacturing Hub, we had everything prepared before even stepping onto the factory floor. That level of efficiency is a game-changer." – Denis Goncharov

📢 "You don’t need to start with the perfect business case—just a direction. Once we implemented the UNS, the client immediately saw 10 more opportunities they could tackle. That’s the real power of having an open, scalable data infrastructure." – Luke van Enkhuizen

Links & Resources:

🔗 Follow the show: https://smartmetals.transistor.fm/
🔗 About Denis Goncharov: https://gontcharov.eu/
🔗 About Luke van Enkhuizen: https://vanenkhuizen.com/

Support the Podcast!

✅ Sharing is Caring! If you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with colleagues who might find it useful. 😊
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Ready to Listen?

🎧 Press play and discover how a Unified Namespace can transform your factory floor! 🚀

In this episode of the Smart Metals Podcast Denis and I, dive into the topic of transferring shop floor data to the cloud and leveraging AI for predictive maintenance and other use-cases in the metals industry.

We discuss essential components like the Unified Namespace (UNS) and Data-Centric AI, highlighting why smaller manufacturers shouldn’t shy away from cloud technology.

We also break down common misconceptions about AI, particularly for SMBs, and explore the benefits of cloud services.

You’ll hear a step-by-step approach to implementing predictive maintenance and get practical advice on how to start using AI-driven insights—without excessive costs or complexity.

If you're a manufacturer looking to make data-driven decisions, optimize maintenance strategies, and leverage AI in a practical, actionable way, this episode is a must-listen.

Topics
00:00 – 🎙️ Welcome to the Smart Metals Podcast
00:23 – 🔍 Understanding Shop Floor Data and AI
02:29 – ⚙️ Preventive vs Predictive Maintenance
04:57 – 🔄 Steps to Implement Predictive Maintenance
08:10 – ☁️ Benefits of Cloud Solutions
09:46 – 📊 Data Management and Unified Namespace
28:57 – 🏭 Practical Advice for Manufacturers

Notable Quotes:

1. "We always break it down into having a solid data infrastructure and having a solid data strategy. And both of these concepts can be summarized with two words respectively: the Unified Namespace and Data-Centric AI." – Denis Gontcharov
2. "Very often, we talk about AI and especially cloud, and smaller manufacturers think, ‘Oh, that’s something for enterprises.’ The goal today is to dispel this myth and tell you that the cloud is far more accessible than you may imagine." – Denis Gontcharov
3. "Preventive maintenance is like going to the gym and eating healthy to avoid getting sick, while predictive maintenance is like wearing a smartwatch that warns you when you’re about to have a health issue." – Luke van Enkhuizen
4. "If we’re just copying our existing systems to the cloud, why would anyone use them there instead of on-premises? We have to provide them with something better—something with more context, better-organized data, and real insights." – Denis Gontcharov
5. "The cloud is not just a place to store data; it’s a new way of organizing infrastructure. If we’re just renting a big computer in the cloud and copying all our applications, we’re not using the cloud in the right way." – Denis Gontcharov
6. "Manufacturers shouldn’t fear the cloud—it’s not just for enterprises. Because of its pay-as-you-go structure, it’s surprisingly affordable and far more flexible than building your own data center." – Denis Gontcharov
7. "AI equals model plus data. The old way focused on tweaking the model, but today, improving the data itself—what we call Data-Centric AI—often leads to better results." – Denis Gontcharov
8. "If someone comes to your factory and says, ‘We have the perfect solution for you, and it costs six digits,’ you should probably walk the other way." – Luke van Enkhuizen

Relevant Links:
🔗 Follow the show: https://smartmetals.transistor.fm/
🔗 About Denis Gontcharov: https://gontcharov.eu/
🔗 About Luke van Enkhuizen: https://vanenkhuizen.com/

Sharing is caring!
If you liked this episode, please consider sharing it with some friends or colleagues who might find it useful. Thank you! 😊

Would you like to help?
Did this show help you with new ideas for your business? Then rate the show on iTunes or Spotify. This helps people like you find the show and us to be able to book more guests with industry specialists and top solution providers. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This week at Smart Metals Podcast, we, the hosts Denis Gontcharov and Luke van Enkhuizen, had a fascinating conversation about the future of factory connectivity with Russ Waddell, an expert in industrial connectivity.

We explored the challenges of integrating manufacturing systems, the importance of cultural and technological shifts, and how to leverage AI and data science to unlock the full potential of manufacturing processes.

We delved deeper into topics like the evolution of industrial connectivity, unified namespaces, and strategies for starting your digital transformation journey. If your current challenge is connecting your manufacturing systems, scaling digital projects, or understanding how to use your data effectively, then listen to this episode when you have a moment.

🎧 LISTEN NOW ➡️

Topics
[00:00] 🎙️ Welcome to the Smart Metals Podcast
[00:40] 🔍 Russ Waddell: Journey into Industrial Connectivity
[08:20] 🌐 Defining Factory Connectivity
[17:44] 🚧 Challenges and Opportunities in Factory Connectivity
[27:52] 🏭 Evolution of Machining and Paperless Operations
[29:18] 💡 Technological Advancements and Their Impact
[32:13] 🛠️ The Role of Software in Modern Manufacturing
[36:21] 🔮 Future Trends and Cultural Shifts in Manufacturing

Interesting Quotes
• “If you could just see the data in all of your industrial controllers… Imagine what you could do with that. Everything else we talk about comes back to your favorite use case for that data.” – Russ Waddell
• “When we talk about factory connectivity, everyone has a different definition. A machine maker, a software seller, or someone on the factory floor will all see it differently. That’s why it’s so important to have conversations like this to get a clearer picture.” – Luke van Enkhuizen
• “AI has created a major use case for having all the data in one place. That’s why connectivity is more relevant than ever.” – Denis Gontcharov
• “AI is clearly the next step after basic monitoring and predictive analytics. But it needs clean, accessible inputs. The cleaner the data, the more time your team can spend on building algorithms instead of copying and pasting from CSV files.” – Russ Waddell
• “When you step into some manufacturing facilities, it feels like you’re back in the 80s or 90s. That’s not just a technology problem—it’s a cultural one. Companies need to learn what’s possible and build small-scale successes to see the potential.” – Luke van Enkhuizen