Marlow-based SAS an analytics specialist (www.sas.com),, has become a Tier One partner with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

They will work together to identify difficult areas in the manufacturing process and try to improve them (using SAS software plus the methods and principles of advanced analytics).

Like other industries, manufacturing is seeing a drive towards digital transformation, thanks to more and more data being generated more quickly than ever before.

Manufacturers are increasingly using connected devices, ranging from cameras and environmental sensors to assembly line robots.

These produce large amounts of data, which advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) can collect, analyse and interpret.

This can help manufacturers to predict when maintenance is required, or to respond to delays in the supply chain by altering their production methods.

Steve Foxley, executive director at the AMRC (www.amrc.co.uk), said: “As one of the leading organisations in analytics, SAS is a powerhouse for those seeking immediate value from their data.

"Analytics have the power to bring big benefits to manufacturing, turning data into intelligence and helping manufacturers to become nimble AI-driven organisations that can draw on deep operational insights to reduce costs, improve productivity and minimise risk.”