In this episode of Ctrl+Alt+Mfg, Josh Peeno, P.E., joins the conversation to explore why so many digital transformation and AI initiatives in manufacturing fall short. It’s not because the technology isn’t powerful; it’s because it often isn’t built for the realities of the plant floor. Drawing on his experience in heavy manufacturing and industrial AI, Peeno explains why successful transformation requires operator trust, practical deployment strategies and a deep understanding of how factories actually run.

Peeno also discusses the concept of “machine teaching,” using human expertise to train autonomous AI systems in a way that supports operators rather than replaces them. He shares lessons from applying AI in glass manufacturing, talks about the value of fractional technical leadership for mid-sized manufacturers and explains why the industry’s looming skills gap may be one of the biggest drivers for smarter automation.

• (00:00:00) - The Reality of AI in Manufacturing
• (00:04:55) - Understanding Digital Transformation Challenges
• (00:09:05) - Bridging the Gap in Manufacturing
• (00:14:36) - The Human Element in Digital Transformation
• (00:18:34) - AI: Fear and Resistance on the Plant Floor
• (00:21:23) - AI as the Apprentice in Manufacturing
• (00:30:43) - Fractional Leadership: A New Approach
• (00:33:35) - Teaching the Next Generation of Engineers
• (00:35:50) - Global Competitiveness in Manufacturing

In this episode of Ctrl+Alt+Mfg, Gary Cohen and Stephanie Neal sit down with John Dyck, CEO of CESMII, and John Harrington, chief product officer at HighByte, to talk about why interoperability is one of the biggest barriers to smart manufacturing.

As manufacturers invest in connected systems, cloud platforms, analytics and AI, many are still struggling to turn that technology into real business value because their data remains trapped in silos. Dyck and Harrington explain why interoperability has become more than just a technical challenge, how legacy systems and one-off integrations have slowed progress and why a more open, standardized approach is critical for scaling digital transformation across the enterprise.

The conversation also dives into CESMII’s Industrial Information Interoperability Exchange (i3X), the role of collaboration between manufacturers and software providers and why interoperability could be the foundation for the next generation of industrial AI.

• (00:00:00) - The Importance of Interoperability in Manufacturing
• (00:04:20) - Introduction to Smart Manufacturing Institute
• (00:10:55) - Understanding Smart Manufacturing vs Digital Transformation
• (00:12:33) - High Byte's Role in Data Integration
• (00:18:01) - Challenges of Data Silos in Manufacturing
• (00:20:03) - Industrial Information Interoperability Exchange Initiative
• (00:21:24) - Collaboration Among Competitors
• (00:23:11) - Integrating Industrial Data
• (00:24:59) - Advancements in Specification Implementation
• (00:26:47) - The Importance of Abstraction in Technology
• (00:29:09) - Shifting Mindsets in Technology Providers
• (00:30:37) - Ecosystem of Specialists in Manufacturing
• (00:33:09) - AI's Role in Scaling Manufacturing Operations
• (00:34:35) - An Inflection Point in Manufacturing Innovation
• (00:36:27) - Interoperability as an Accelerator
• (00:38:47) - The Future of Smart Factories
• (00:45:00) - The Human Element

What’s really holding manufacturers back from smarter maintenance? While many point the finger at AI or automation, bad data might be the real culprit.

In this episode of Ctrl+Alt+Mfg, Gary Cohen and Stephanie Neil talk with Paul Ross of Limble and Ross Fergerson of RBC Bearings about why so many plants are still stuck in reactive maintenance mode and what it takes to move toward more proactive, data-driven operations.

They explore the maintenance maturity curve, the role of modern CMMS platforms and why technician-friendly tools are essential for adoption. Fergerson also shares how RBC Bearings replaced a legacy system and rolled out a new CMMS in just eight months, improving visibility, reducing paperwork and building trust across the organization.

The conversation looks at how better maintenance data can preserve tribal knowledge, improve planning and make AI more practical on the plant floor.

• (00:00:00) - Introduction to Smarter Manufacturing
• (00:03:44) - The Importance of Maintenance Data
• (00:07:32) - Understanding CMMS and Its Role
• (00:11:41) - Transitioning from Legacy Systems
• (00:18:12) - Accelerating Adoption of New Technologies
• (00:20:23) - The Role of AI in Maintenance
• (00:23:00) - Addressing Common Maintenance Challenges
• (00:27:04) - Transforming Maintenance from Cost Center to Profit Center
• (00:28:52) - Operational Changes Post-Implementation
• (00:31:59) - Advice for Modernizing Maintenance