The Internet of Things (IoT) brought in an unprecedented tsunami of structured and unstructured data. Information, in conjunction with the easily available inexpensive computing systems, paved the way for the next level of manufacturing. AI, being the flagbearer of the transition, plays a vital role. A village cobbler performs all shoe manufacturing-related tasks on her own – from design, manufacturing, and repair to reuse. Ameri and Dutta cited this crisp model as an ideal example of an integrated and competence-centered enterprise.

In this exclusive guest piece, Mangal Anandan, Vice President, Products and Solutions for First Insight, Inc., explores some specific applications of machine learning in relation to PLM systems. First Insight empowers retailers and brands to design, select, price and market new products with confidence. Digital transformation will be the key to survival for many retailers and brands. We recently saw Mickey Drexler, who just announced his resignation from J.Crew, admit in a Wall Street Journal article that "he missed it," referring to his underestimation of the speed of change that technology would bring to retail. With the advent of big data, machine learning (ML) and other technologies are introducing new ways to manage everything from customer engagement, to design, to supply chain, to product lifecycle management and beyond.