Harnessing Automated Costing, Quoting, and Make or Buy Decisions Through Software

This presentation explores the transformative impact of digital solutions and additive manufacturing on operational efficiency in the rail industry. It examines how automating critical tasks, such as selecting appropriate manufacturing technologies, conducting costing analyses, and optimizing Make or Buy decisions, can streamline quoting processes and RFQ workflows - ultimately enhancing operational effectiveness.

A key focus will be on the digital factory twin's capability to automatically assess feasibility, cost, and production lead times for various applications and in-house production options. This presentation highlights how Alstom has benefited from implementing this digital factory twin using the 3D Spark platform, achieving savings of up to €15 million and reducing delivery times by 2,600 months.

Additionally, it demonstrates how the integration of the digital factory twin and automated quoting solutions enhances the effectiveness and scalability of digital warehousing systems, significantly improving supply chain responsiveness. Using Alstom's StationOne as an example, the presentation illustrates how these digital integrations, along with additive manufacturing capabilities, provide on-demand access to essential rail spare parts, streamline inventory management, and facilitate timely procurement.

Furthermore, the importance of automated CO₂ footprint calculation tools is discussed as a critical component in advancing sustainable manufacturing practices within the industry. These tools enable organizations to measure and reduce their environmental impact, aligning operational goals with sustainability objectives.

The presentation aims to illustrate how the integration of these software solutions and additive manufacturing can lead to substantial efficiency improvements in the rail sector, providing a strategic framework for broader industry adoption and transformation.