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Ditch the Guesswork: Use AI to Truly Understand Your Customers

EAST Session: Abstract : Manufacturers have more customer data than ever before, yet many still struggle to turn that data into real insights. Too often, sales teams rely on gut instinct, outdated reports, or incomplete CRM entries, leading to missed opportunities and inefficient processes. AI changes the game by analyzing patterns humans can’t see, uncovering hidden sales opportunities, and predicting customer needs before they arise. In this session, we’ll explore how AI can transform the way manufacturers understand and engage with customers—without requiring a complete digital overhaul. We’ll discuss real-world applications of AI in sales and customer relationships, including proactive recommendations, automated data capture, and predictive insights. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how AI can help you move beyond guesswork, make data-driven decisions, and build stronger, more profitable customer relationships. Significance/Importance : Manufacturers have long relied on relationships and gut instinct to drive sales, but today’s competitive landscape demands more. Traditional CRMs were meant to help but became data-entry burdens, leading to poor adoption and missed opportunities. AI is changing the game by turning raw data into actionable insights—automating manual processes, predicting customer needs, and uncovering hidden sales opportunities. Companies that embrace AI gain a competitive edge, while those that don’t risk falling behind. This session will show how AI helps manufacturers move beyond guesswork, make smarter decisions, and build stronger customer relationships with less effort.

John Biagioni

Speaker at EAST: John Biagioni, President, Lampin Corporation

James Cooper

Speaker at EAST: James Cooper, Senior Account Executive, SmartSights

Protecting Your Machine Tools: Practical Cybersecurity for Industry 4.0 Manufacturing

EAST Session: Abstract : As factories and job shops move towards Industry 4.0, machine tools are becoming more connected, opening up new possibilities for productivity and efficiency. However, this connectivity also brings new cybersecurity risks. Many manufacturers think cybersecurity is just an IT issue, but the reality is that the shop floor is now a prime target for cyberattacks, ransomware, and system breaches that can halt production and damage equipment. In this session, we'll dive into practical, actionable strategies to boost cybersecurity specifically for machine tools and manufacturing systems. You'll learn why modern CNC machines, robots, and connected equipment are at risk, discover common vulnerabilities in connected manufacturing environments, and explore cost-effective cybersecurity best practices tailored for small and medium manufacturers. We'll also discuss how to collaborate with machine builders, software providers, and integrators to build resilient systems, share real-world case studies of attacks and lessons learned, and outline key steps you can take today to reduce risk without slowing down production. Whether you're running a high-mix job shop or a high-volume plant, this session will help you understand cybersecurity from the perspectives of operators, plant managers, and owners, and provide you with a roadmap to protect your business as you modernize operations. Significance/Importance : This presentation is crucial because it equips manufacturers with practical strategies to protect their connected systems from cyber threats, ensuring productivity and safety as they embrace Industry 4.0. Additionally, it will help the shop owner to be compliant with the cybersecurity requirement from the U.S. Deportment of Department of Defense (DoD) and European regulations.

Leveraging Advanced Technologies to Improve Manufacturing Operations

EAST Session: Effective data collection is critical for optimizing production lines, yet traditional methods such as manual recording and PLC-coded data collection are fraught with inefficiencies and inaccuracies. Manual data entry often misses short downtime events and is subject to operator bias, while PLC-based systems suffer from inconsistencies, excessive costs, and revalidation challenges. The future of data collection lies in automation, modular modeling, and intelligent data processing, providing a foundation for digital transformation and sustainable manufacturing excellence. This session will explore the following concepts: · Advanced data collection goes beyond monitoring bottleneck operations, incorporating machine-level insights across all assets. · A multi-layered approach – integrating real-time signal processing, logic engines, and high-speed data acquisition – enhances fidelity, reduces integration costs, and improves root cause analysis. · Additionally, Aa Fault Learning approach dynamically identifies and ranks faults, leading to better diagnostics and predictive maintenance. · By leveraging digital twins, synchronizing multiple data streams, and enabling fast data validation, companies can significantly improve operational efficiency. · A robust data collection strategy supports MES, OEE, and AI/ML applications, ensuring accurate modeling, predictive analytics, and enterprise-wide standardization.

How to Define, Estimate, and Prove Out the Value of Smart Manufacturing Technologies

EAST Session: Abstract : Manufacturers are keen and pragmatic on how their capital is used to advance their state of manufacturing.  And it is clear to them how investments in physical assets bring operational value.  What is not so clear is the value-add of technology to their operations.  In this session, you will learn how to translate the value of technology to operations to facilitate internal planning and justification for technology investments. You will learn how to build a business case around technology to show the expected value and ROI of that investment. Using this approach, the project team can report the financial gains to key constituents to help with continued funding and support.  Significance/Importance : Manufacturers are keen and pragmatic on how their capital is used to advance their state of manufacturing.  And it is clear to them how investments in physical assets bring operational value.  What is not so clear is the value-add of technology to their operations.  In this session, you will learn how to translate the value of technology to operations to facilitate internal planning and justification for technology investments. 

Manoj Thakur

Speaker at EAST: Manoj Thakur, CEO, Driscoll Associates

Nasir Mannan

Speaker at EAST: Nasir Mannan, Owner | Principal Engineer, M3DI LLC | CCAT

Celebration of New England Manufacturing Reception

EAST Session: Wednesday, May 14 from 5-7PM Sponsored by the Eastern States Exposition and West Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. This event, featuring appetizers and beer, will take place outside between buildings 3 & 5.

John McCullough

Speaker at EAST: John McCullough, General Manager, Marketing, Kubotek Kosmos