Unlock new levels of efficiency and profitability by harnessing the power of AI, data lakes, and smart automation.
In today’s competitive manufacturing landscape, every minute of uptime counts — and process improvements can mean millions in additional revenue.
CLA is helping manufacturers unlock new levels of efficiency and profitability by harnessing the power of AI, data lakes, and smart automation across key operational areas.
Here are five examples:
1. Smarter maintenance: From reactive to proactive
Traditionally, most shop floor maintenance has been reactive, with up to 80% of work triggered by breakdowns or urgent repairs. For one manufacturer, CLA tackled this challenge by building a data lake of custom databases to analyze the root causes behind maintenance events.
The gold was in the “free text” boxes used by maintenance staff to document root cause. Using AI to crawl through vast amounts of free text data, CLA identified patterns showing which jobs performed best on specific machines, during certain shifts, and with particular operators.
The result? Jobs are now better matched to the right machines, and workers identified for upskilling. Proactive maintenance schedules — based on real operational data rather than generic manufacturer recommendations — are also helping aging fleets run longer and more reliably. The potential upside: millions saved in costs, reduced scrap, and increased revenue thanks to improved scheduling.
2. Capturing critical skills before they’re gone
Every shop floor has a “Bob or Betty”— the go-to folks who knows how everything works, but whose knowledge isn’t written down. With the Bobs and Bettys of the world nearing retirement, CLA is recording their conversations and experience. This invaluable knowledge is then used to fuel AI-driven standard operating procedure (SOP) building, helping to capture critical thinking to share with future generations.
3. Revolutionizing quoting for engineered-to-order clients
Quoting new orders can be a manual and painful process, especially for “engineered to order” manufacturers who deal with low volumes and high product mixes. CLA’s AI solutions crawl thousands of historical projects to recognize patterns, dramatically reducing quoting time and increasing accuracy. One manufacturer automated their intake process and cut quoting time by 75% — a testament to the power of AI-driven quoting. Check out this case study: Manufacturer Automates Intake, Cuts Time 75%
4. KPI visibility: The power of a unified data lake
Managing KPIs can be especially challenging for organizations running multiple ERP systems, often due to acquisitions. CLA’s data lake approach provides up-to-date KPI visibility, as demonstrated in a case study with HESCO. While not strictly an AI story, this highlights the foundational role of robust data infrastructure in enabling advanced analytics and smarter decision-making.
Check out these case studies.
- Distributor Saves About $100k With CLA Accounts Payable AI
- AI System Streamlines 15,000 Monthly Invoices for Company
5. Accounts payable: Real savings with AI
Accounts payable automation is another area where CLA delivers measurable results. Distributors using CLA’s AI-powered AP solutions have saved about $100,000, streamlining processes and reducing manual effort.
How CLA can help manufacturers with AI and data
CLA’s innovative use of AI and data lakes is driving real change for manufacturers, from smarter maintenance and skill capture to faster quoting, better KPI tracking, and cost-saving automation. As the industry continues to evolve, these data-driven strategies will be essential for staying ahead of the curve.
If you’d like to learn more about how CLA can help your organization, reach out for a personalized consultation or explore our latest case studies.