DENSO-TKK-PTT Res joins forces to deliver 'D-QiTs' intelligent software solutions to elevate Thai entrepreneurs towards a seamless transition to Manufacturing 4.0.

"In the past, it was often understood that having capital and state-of-the-art hardware, machinery, and equipment were key factors for business success in the transition to Manufacturing 4.0. However, in reality, elevating Thailand's manufacturing sector to Industry 4.0 requires equally important software and solutions that can manage critical data throughout the entire manufacturing process, enabling proper analysis and utilization. This will help increase production efficiency and enhance a business's competitiveness."

Kanlayanee Kongsomjit, CEO of TKK Corporation Co., Ltd., outlined the key reasons for joining forces between three leading companies: DENSO Innovative Manufacturing Solutions Asia Co., Ltd., TKK Corporation Co., Ltd., and PTTRES Co., Ltd. All three companies possess expertise in intelligent software development and are trusted System Integrators (SIs). The three companies will collaborate to offer the D-QiTs solution, the latest cutting-edge software that will help elevate Thai entrepreneurs to the next level of Manufacturing 4.0.

From problems to innovation of IoT applications, D-QiTs solution helps to solve all problems for the manufacturing sector, finished in one software.

This D-QiTs solution was invented by a team of experts from DENSO Innovative Manufacturing Solution Asia Co., Ltd., which is aware of the challenges of managing the manufacturing sector in the 4.0 era that many factories are facing. Wiwat Phansara, Deputy Managing Director of DENSO Innovative Manufacturing Solution Asia Co., Ltd., spoke about the concept behind the invention of the D-QiTs solution, saying:

“In the past, the Thai manufacturing industry has faced the challenge of having a large amount of data, particularly those from the manufacturing process, but not knowing how to utilize it. Furthermore, we don't know which data is important and has the true impact on the production line. Without visibility into complex issues, improvements can be delayed, and we can't accurately address or recheck issues.”

"This situation often occurs in production lines that rely primarily on manual labor. While attempts to address the problem may be made, workers fail to recognize the root cause and are unable to address the issue further. This impacts the Kaizen PDCA process, or the effective management approach designed to improve employee participation. This takes longer than usual."

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“For this reason, DENSO has developed the D-QiTs solution. This application is designed to visualize data to raise awareness and encourage production line operators to recognize production line abnormalities and understand the root causes of the problem. This in turn, generates problem-solving ideas to enhance production efficiency.”

“Based on the experience and expertise of the DENSO team, we have been developing this application for several years and have identified three key data points that will help the manufacturing sector accelerate Kaizen efforts: Output Progress; Cycle Time Data; and Video. Therefore, the D-QiTs solution operates on Data Share, a middleware that seamlessly connects to the database and IoT application platform, allowing for additional functionality to be added later.”

“Furthermore, the D-QiTs solution provides an overview of the hourly Production Progress and Production Volume results, giving field workers a real-time understanding of whether production is on schedule. If production is not on schedule, we can see which steps are out of sync with the cycle time. By clicking on the cycle time, we can review the actual data from the video.”

“Therefore, the D-QiTs solution can detect anomalies at every stage of the process and analyze them to quickly correct them. This enables the production line to produce more efficiently, reducing leadtime, or the time from start to finish of a production process, and increasing productivity by up to 30 percent.”

“D-QiTs also quantitatively summarizes key issues encountered on the production line and prioritizes them, helping operators identify which issues should be prioritized. Furthermore, the video within the application can be used to effectively communicate between supervisors, operators, and executives, like no other application before.”

D-QiTs is a key tool to help Thai SMEs gain access to high-performance solutions, accelerating their business growth.

Given the effectiveness of D-QiTs as mentioned, many may believe that access to such a good solution will certainly be expensive. However, DENSO's intention is to enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access IoT applications that meet the needs of helping to seamlessly elevate Thai SMEs to Manufacturing 4.0. DENSO has therefore designed a package and pricing for D-QiTs usage that is appropriate for all business sizes. Mr. Wiwat provided further information on this issue, saying:

"One of our primary objectives in creating the D-QiTs solution is to elevate the production standards of Thai SMEs. In addition to D-QiTs' problem analysis capabilities, it's also easy to use. When we implement or set up the system for SMEs, we provide on-the-job training to help them understand how to use and analyze the data we receive from the D-QiTs solution. This allows SMEs to analyze the data and implement Kaizen on their own."

"Ultimately, SMEs can increase productivity in their manufacturing processes by eliminating waste and production-related losses. They can also achieve a balance between the manual labor of operators and the necessary skills of employees working on the production line. This process involves standardizing work. If this is achieved, regardless of the operator, they can achieve the same results and output in the same amount of time. All of these processes will enable SMEs to achieve their production targets and efficiently move forward."

“Furthermore, D-QiTs's unique feature lies in its diverse service package offerings to meet the needs of clients' varying business sizes. For example, we offer a trial package for temporary use, lasting four months. Within four months, if the D-QiTs solution improves the performance of the business's manufacturing sector, the D-QiTs package is no longer needed. This package helps clients save costs, allowing them to access the solution at a lower price.”

“Next is the Formal package, where the D-QiTs solution will be permanently installed at the customer's office. Once the D-QiTs solution has been implemented and achieved increased productivity, the customer can continue to use the solution in the future to maintain production system standards and ensure continuous operation, preventing waste or losses. When anomalies are detected, a Kaizen process can be implemented to promptly address them, enabling efficient production to proceed.”

DENSO-TKK-PTT Res joins forces to launch D-QiTs to develop the Thai industrial sector and SMEs for continuous growth in the Industry 4.0 era.

And with DENSO's intention to forward the D-QiTs solution for use in the industrial sector and Thai SMEs, a collaboration in development and further development has taken place by joining forces with two other SI companies that have both experience and expertise in manufacturing and integrating robots, automation systems, AI, or IoT in the manufacturing processes of the industrial sector and Thai SMEs for a long time, namely TKK Corporation Co., Ltd. and PTT Res Co., Ltd., with Kalyanee Kongsomjit, Chief Executive Officer of TKK Corporation Co., Ltd., explaining the origin of this collaboration, she said:

“The collaboration in developing and delivering D-QiTs solutions follows the signing of a partnership agreement with DENSO SALES (THAILAND) CO., LTD. in May 2023 as a solution distributor. DENSO's key strength lies in its reputation as a renowned Japanese SI and IoT solution innovator, recognized globally.”

"And when entering the Thai market, DENSO recognized the importance of having a partner like TKK, a strong local partner, to collaborate with. TKK also has KSI Solution Co., Ltd. as a subsidiary, and we are both a manufacturer and distributor of fully integrated automation systems."

"Once we have hardware and software, we need an IoT system as a solution that connects and enhances the efficiency of the manufacturing process in Thailand's industrial sector. This involves collecting and analyzing data from the manufacturing process for adaptation, improvement, and continuous development."

“As for PTT Res, it is a joint venture between Mitsui and the PTT Group. TKK has had the opportunity to work with PTT Group and mutually recognizes the importance of AI and automation. They see an opportunity for PTT Res Co., Ltd., a SI company within PTT Group, to work together as a supplier and partner to offer D-QiTs solutions, which will help drive Thailand's industrial sector and businesses to effectively transform and upgrade their manufacturing processes towards Industry 4.0.”

Dr. Niphat Rasamigomen, General Manager of PTT Res Co., Ltd., added that regarding this cooperation,

“PTT Res Co., Ltd. is a joint venture between the PTT Group and the Mitsui Group, a Japanese conglomerate with a long history of operations in Thailand. When PTT Group sought to establish a new business with target groups in the S-curve industries seeking to transform their manufacturing processes using modern technologies such as AI, automation, or robotics, PTT Res was established to serve as a systems integrator for customers seeking to implement robotics, automation systems, AI, or IoT in their manufacturing processes. Our customers include both PTT Group and organizations and agencies that have also incorporated these technologies into their manufacturing processes.”

"This collaboration stems from DENSO, a Japanese technology manufacturer with expertise in Lean Automation, which aims to optimize production processes for maximum efficiency. In some areas, DENSO also sought partners to help transform the Thai industrial sector. It's important to acknowledge that Thailand still needs further development to become a country with manufacturing capabilities and competitiveness comparable to other countries."

“This idea led PTT Res to collaborate with DENSO, with another key partner joining the collaboration to strengthen the company's position: TKK Corporation Co., Ltd. TKK is already a distributor of some DENSO products, and TKK is also a distributor of industrial products from leading manufacturers worldwide. PTT Res and TKK have previously worked together. Therefore, these three key partners have come together to promote the adoption of cutting-edge, internationally recognized technology for practical use in Thailand.”

Share important perspectives and join hands to drive the Thai industrial sector together with Manufacturing 4.0 technology.

“We believe that the collaboration between these three companies is a perfect and very strong combination,” Ms. Kalyanee emphasized the importance of this collaboration, adding:

"On TKK's side, we're well-prepared because we have a subsidiary, KSI Solution, and we have extensive experience as a distributor of spare parts and factory automation equipment. We are an agent for over 50 world-renowned brands. TKK has a supply chain that allows us to import products at very low costs, and we have a 24/7 inventory system ready for delivery. KSI Solution also has a team of engineers and programmers, making us a trusted SI company for customers of all levels."

"Therefore, this collaboration isn't just about selling this product. We also want to educate Thailand's major manufacturing sectors. We also aim to elevate SMEs and other industries, such as the food industry, a key target industry in Thailand. This IoT solution can be used to enhance efficiency and boost the country's production capacity, bringing it on par with regional competitors."

While Mr. Wiwat from DENSO gave his perspective as a manufacturer and innovator of D-QiTs software and solutions on business development, especially Thai SMEs, that

"As mentioned above, the key target group we want to leverage the D-QiTs solution to increase productivity and enhance the competitiveness of Thai businesses is SMEs. We believe that for small- to medium-sized companies to compete with competitors both in Thailand and abroad, they must build strengths to compete with their domestic and ASEAN competitors. This starts with fundamental adjustments to production system standards and finding low-cost investment solutions to generate outputs that align with customer demand."

“Then, we must go through the Lean Management process, incorporating Lean Manufacturing technology into our production system. Once we have completed this process, we can invest in the next steps efficiently and compete on price.”

Dr. Niphat shared lessons learned from PTT Res's past work processes: "In the past, PTT Res' work as a SI has focused on providing advice and working closely with clients through data collection, discussions, and processing. We've incorporated this process into our D-QiTs solution offering. Clients will benefit most from three leading companies with strengths in each area, benefiting from the practical application of these solutions, which will positively impact the Thai manufacturing sector and contribute to the advancement of Thailand's manufacturing sector towards Industry 4.0."