Using Dashboarding for Actionable Insights

A global leader in the agri-food industry, recently collaborated with Interstates to transform the operational data handling and reporting capabilities at an animal feed mill. Recognizing the limitations of its existing data analysis methods, which relied mainly on static reports and anecdotal observations that offered minimal visibility into daily operations, the client’s goal was to enhance its current data reporting solutions with powerful, real-time analytics. This pilot project delivered a production-level dashboard for the facility, with the potential to extend the solution across the organization’s other feed mills.

Challenges

This feed mill faced operational insight challenges stemming from a lack of near real-time reporting capabilities. Plant managers and operators needed to see real-time data that they could use to discover real-time operational discrepancies and inefficiencies. Critical data was underutilized, and operational decisions were often made without the benefit of actionable, data-backed insights. Essentially, the client wanted to do more with its data – which necessitated a more granular examination of the available metrics.

Solution

Interstates addressed these challenges by implementing a PowerBI dashboard solution that provided dynamic trends and KPIs for critical processes within the plant. A strategic consulting phase helped Interstates understand the client’s goals for the data project, ultimately leading to the adoption of PowerBI for its robust analytic capabilities and flexibility. This platform, which works hand-in-hand with I-Control, enabled them to tailor the data analysis to its specific needs, allowing for a more granular examination of operational metrics. As the solution was developed, regular bi-weekly meetings ensured that the organization was kept in the loop with progress updates, fostering a collaborative environment that accommodated scope changes without exceeding the budget.

With deep experience as a systems integrator for feed mills, Interstates was readily equipped with the data analysis capabilities that this facility needed to improve its operations. As a bonus, our I-Control team was a useful resource for making sure the new dashboard and I-Control integrated seamlessly.

Return on Investment

The deployment of the PowerBI dashboard has increased data visibility at this plant, leading to informed decision-making and more efficient operations. Plant managers now have the tools to accurately diagnose operational issues based on real-time data. This new level of data visibility supports more effective direction-setting in weekly meetings and enhances visibility for regional leadership. Additionally, the system has facilitated a smoother shift-to-shift transition, enabling plant teams to see what happened on preceding shifts, including any challenges that need addressing. This level of operational insight was previously unavailable, meaning the client has taken a significant step in its ongoing digital transformation journey.