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

In this episode of Ctrl+Alt+Mfg, Gary Cohen and Stephanie Neil talk with Adrienne Meyer, CEO of the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA), about why system integrators are becoming more essential than ever in modern manufacturing. As companies push ahead with AI, digital transformation, robotics and smarter automation, integrators are the ones connecting systems, software and operations to make those investments actually work.

Meyer shares how the role of the system integrator is evolving beyond traditional controls work into data-centric, networked and AI-aligned solutions. She also discusses the biggest trends shaping the market right now, including workforce shortages, brownfield upgrades, cybersecurity demands and the growing opportunities in data centers, semiconductors and defense.

The conversation also looks at the value CSIA brings to the integration community, why collaboration remains so important in a competitive market and what attendees can expect from the 2026 CSIA Conference in Baltimore.

• (00:00:00) - System Integrators: Driving the Future of Manufacturing
• (00:07:01) - Meet Adrienne Meyer: New CEO of CSIA
• (00:09:50) - The Role of CSIA and System Integrators
• (00:17:47) - Current Trends and Opportunities in System Integration
• (00:22:34) - Upcoming CSIA Conference Highlights
• (00:25:41) - Navigating Change in System Integration
• (00:30:02) - Addressing Workforce Shortages and AI Adoption
• (00:31:49) - Technological Opportunities and Disruptions
• (00:35:58) - Closing Thoughts and Future Directions