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Using Smart Technologies for Small to Medium-Sized Organizations: Not Letting the Tail Wag the Dog

EAST Session: Moderated by: Mark Michalski Adopting smart technologies like IoT, AI, and automation isn’t just about innovation—it’s about alignment, impact, and readiness. In this practical, strategy-focused panel, hear directly from manufacturers and technology experts who’ve successfully navigated the journey from pilot projects to scalable solutions. Join us to explore how small and mid-sized manufacturers can: - Align tech investments with business goals - Learn from real-world success stories in aerospace, medtech, and machining - Upskill their workforce to support digital transformation - Access regional resources for implementation support - Whether you're just exploring smart tech or already scaling, you’ll leave with actionable insights and connections to help future-proof your operations.

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. 

Ellen Ellsworth

Speaker at EAST: Ellen Ellsworth, Director of Growth and Innovative Services, Mass MEP

Eric Swezey

Speaker at EAST: Eric Swezey, Senior Enterprise Account Executive, Zoovu

Tom Sieger

Speaker at EAST: Tom Sieger, Partner, NETFORMIC USA

Reducing Energy Waste & Downtime: A Smarter Approach to Manufacturing Maintenance

EAST Session: Abstract : In today's highly competitive manufacturing landscape, operational efficiency is more critical than ever. Yet, excessive energy consumption and unplanned downtime remain major challenges, significantly impacting productivity and costs. Traditional maintenance strategies often fail to address the root causes of inefficiencies, leading to unnecessary energy waste and unexpected failures. This session explores Energy-Centered Maintenance (ECM)—a data-driven, AI-powered approach that goes beyond conventional reliability-centered maintenance by integrating energy efficiency as a key decision-making factor. By leveraging advanced IoT sensors, AI-driven analytics, and real-time machine health monitoring, manufacturers can proactively detect faults, minimize energy loss, and extend asset life. Through real-world case studies and industry insights, attendees will learn how ECM enables manufacturers to reduce operational expenses, prevent unplanned downtime, and achieve sustainability goals—all without compromising productivity. The session will also highlight how machine learning and AI-driven predictive analytics help manufacturers make smarter maintenance decisions, optimizing energy use while ensuring equipment reliability. Whether you're looking to cut energy costs, enhance machine uptime, or align with Industry 4.0 and sustainability initiatives, this session will provide practical takeaways to help you transform your maintenance strategy. Significance/Importance : Learning Objectives Understand the limitations of traditional maintenance strategies and how excessive energy waste and unexpected downtime impact manufacturing costs and efficiency. Explore the principles of Energy-Centered Maintenance (ECM) and how AI-driven predictive analytics can optimize machine performance, reduce energy waste, and prevent costly breakdowns.

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.

Executive Perspectives on Navigating and Understanding Today’s Security Landscape for Small and Medium Manufacturers

EAST Session: Moderated by Colin Gilchrist For many small and medium-sized manufacturers, the overwhelming volume of information on security best practices can make organizational adoption seem daunting. From establishing basic network hygiene to tackling complex frameworks like CMMC and NIST 800-82, the journey requires careful navigation through a maze of advice, regulations, and consulting services. This panel discussion will demystify the process of implementing security at various scales, exploring practical approaches, key technologies, and industry best practices. Executives from machine monitoring, advanced security, digital numeric control (DNC) solutions and regulatory compliance, resilience and data protection — moderated by a strategic integrator serving both additive and subtractive manufacturing for the federal government—will share their insights. Designed for decision-makers, this interactive conversation will provide a clear roadmap to help organizations begin or advance their security journey. Attendees will gain a conversational understanding of the critical choices, trade-offs, and strategies needed to safeguard their operations in today’s evolving threat landscape.

Maximizing Manufacturing Productivity and Efficiency with Industrial AI

EAST Session: Industrial AI is more accessible than ever. This technology, long viewed as “too complex” to implement, is now a practical productivity accelerator for manufacturers. The complexity misconception stems, in part, from the thinking that integration requires tearing out current systems. However, the reality is that it’s easily compatible with most legacy systems. By layering Industrial AI, ML, and other complementary tools on top of this existing data infrastructure, manufacturers reveal new improvement areas and free key resources to focus on the work that dictates long-term success. In this session, you’ll see how Industrial AI turns today’s operational challenges into an opportunity, a springboard for growth, and a means to provide your people with essential solutions. With capabilities like real‑time data contextualization and prescriptive recommendations, Industrial AI helps: - Make smarter decisions faster - Deliver continuous, measurable value - Scale subject matter expertise enterprise-wide Join us to learn how Industrial AI amplifies your workforce, maximizes the potential of your operations, and moves it forward faster than ever.

Nat Frampton

Speaker at EAST: Nat Frampton, Co-Founder, LECS Energy, LLC