Today various industries rely on software for various essential functions that include planning and managing production, logistics, finance, and customer relationships. The process of creating applications for manufacturing has unique characteristics and specific functions tailored to different industries. In this article, we explore the scope, features, and benefits of cross-platform app development for the mining, processing, and manufacturing sectors.
Types of Software
Here are the main categories of software used in manufacturing:
System software: It provides a platform for other applications and manages hardware and software operations, such as Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Programming (auxiliary) software: These utilities assist in writing code and developing, testing, and debugging other programs. Examples include assemblers, debuggers, and compilers.
Device drivers: They manage peripherals and devices connected to the computer.
Application software: This category includes mobile, web, and desktop programs that help end-users solve specific problems.
Further we’ll focus only on application software for industrial purposes.
The Role of Industrial Apps
Industrial software applications are essential for data collection, processing, management, and controlling manufacturing processes. These applications perform various functions across different industries, such as: mining, chemical, energy, oil, gas, and manufacturing.
Industrial applications are used for preventive maintenance based on equipment conditions, manufacturer recommendations, and current production situations. They prevent equipment breakdown and unplanned downtime. Efficient asset management extends equipment life, minimizes breakdowns, and reduces repair costs.
By monitoring and automating processes, industrial software helps optimize the resources consumption: raw materials, packaging, energy, and labor, leading to significant cost savings.
Quality control applications monitor manufacturing processes to ensure standards are met and detect defects using technologies like AI. For example, an HMI application development may help to identify marking inconsistencies in precision products, using computer vision to check product conformity.
Software also ensures employee safety by tracking certificates, compliance with safety rules, and providing emergency assistance. For example, a wrist device with a help button may be used for chemical plant workers, which can send distress signals and detect falls using built-in accelerometers.
Components of Industrial Application Development
Developing industrial applications differs from consumer software development due to the need for keeping strictly to international standards and compatibility with manufacturing equipment.
Industrial applications must work reliably for extended periods and integrate with existing customer software, often requiring multi-platform support for various devices. They demand real-time performance as well, where crashes and unresponsiveness are unacceptable. Developers often use emulator programs to simulate device operations and test applications without physical access to the equipment.
Key Features of Industrial Applications
Industrial applications optimize production processes, automate tasks, and improve internal communication. Common requirements include software reliability, data security, speed, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, ease of installation and use, effective data management, integration with other systems, and cross-platform capabilities.
Challenges of Industrial Software Development
Developing industrial applications involves managing complexity, adhering to existing standards, ensuring automation, and maintaining security. Complex applications must meet system safety, reliability, and durability requirements while providing demanded functionality within hardware and business constraints.
Conclusion
Application development can significantly benefit various industries by streamlining operations, maintaining competitiveness, and improving customer service. Industrial applications can be tailored to both specific and integrated processes across entire production chains to enhance overall cost-effectiveness. For businesses looking to advance, Integra Sources offers expertise in developing cross-platform desktop, mobile, or web apps as well as providing circuit board design services tailored to specific needs.
