Adding Agentic AI to the Factory Floor

Session Abstract:

For over a decade, IoT sensors and predictive analytics have given manufacturers a clearer view of their operations than ever before — vibration spectra from bearing housings, OPC-UA telemetry from PLCs, computer-vision defect alerts on the line. Yet most of this intelligence still stops at the alert. A human reads the dashboard, opens a ticket, calls a supplier, schedules the repair. The signal arrives in milliseconds; the response takes hours or days.

This session explores how agentic AI closes that gap. Drawing on real deployments across discrete and process manufacturing, Guy Merritt (CTO, KMS Technology) will show how LLM-driven agents, operating in constrained tool-calling loops, can transform IoT data streams into autonomous, governed action across the value chain — from supply chain reordering and shop-floor rerouting to reverse logistics and remanufacturing decisions.

Attendees will learn:

• The architecture that makes it work — how triaxial accelerometers, edge gateways, time-series platforms, and MCP-based tool gateways combine to give agents safe, typed access to MES, ERP, CMMS, and WMS systems
• The Observe → Reason → Act → Reflect control loop that turns a predicted bearing failure into a validated work order, a parts PO, and a scheduled downtime window — without human intervention below defined spend thresholds
• The guardrails that matter — typed tool schemas, spend caps, human-approval routers, audit logging, and how to address EU AI Act and GDPR considerations for IoT-driven autonomous systems
• Real results from early adopters — including a mid-sized aviation MRO case study showing 35% faster quoting, 22% lower inventory holding costs, 80% reduction in research time, and positive ROI within six months
• A practical 8–12 week pilot roadmap for moving from reactive IoT dashboards to autonomous value chains, starting with one high-ROI process

Speaker biographies

Guy Merritt is an experienced C-suite executive, Guy has 35 years engineering leadership advising and developing IoT solutions, native cloud-based systems, products and engineering & manufacturing test solutions for a wide variety of industries. He is an author of the award-winning book “Proactive Risk Management: Controlling Uncertainty in Product Development.” • Spearhead technology strategy and thought leadership across multiple industry verticals, enhancing client engagement and satisfaction. • Collaborate with KMS senior leaders and delivery teams to align strategic direction with tactical actions in technology practice areas and solutions. • Drive innovation initiatives to improve service offerings for client revenue growth and retention.