Welcome
I am Ravi Soni, and I am a manufacturing solution specialist.
Over two decades, I have gained depth and breadth of experience in smart manufacturing, digital transformation, supply chain optimization, technology deployment, and more.
Smart manufacturing is the application of computer science and emerging technologies in manufacturing, such as cloud computing, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and machine learning, advanced data analytics and platforms, and more.
Smart manufacturing improves operational performance and the quality of the products, optimizes manufacturing processes, and helps companies respond effectively to market fluctuations.
Furthermore, my breadth of expertise spans automotive, industrial machinery, process manufacturing, CPG, medical devices, and aerospace industries.
My Key Experience
Principal, Strategic Design Consulting (Manufacturing)
Housotn, TX (Jul 2024 - Present)
Industrial Manufacturing Solution Specialist
Houston, TX (Jul 2022 - Jun 2024)
Worldwide Technical Leader - Process Manufacturing
Dayton, OH (Aug 2021 - Jul 2022)
Senior Solution Architect
Dayton, OH (Jan 2018 - Jul 2021)
Lead Business Analyst - Manufacturing
Dayton, OH (Apr 2016 - Jan 2018)
Manufacturing Execution System Analyst (Contractor through SBS Corp)
Mountain View, CA (Nov 2014 - Apr 2016)
MES Consultant & Program Manager
Pune, India; KS, USA (Nov 2006 - Mar 2014)
Manufacturing Coordinator
Bangalore, India (Apr 2006 - Nov 2006)
All India Production Officer
Mumbai; Pondicherry, India (Sep 2004 to Apr 2006)
My Publications
Revolutionizing Industrial Manufacturing through Cloud Computing
The paper "Revolutionizing Industrial Manufacturing Through Cloud Computing" examines how cloud computing improves scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency in manufacturing. It highlights benefits like enhanced operational efficiency and better supplier management, explores various cloud deployment models, and presents case studies on successful implementations. It also addresses challenges in cloud adoption, emphasizing the importance of cloud computing for innovation and maintaining a competitive edge in the industry.
Empowering Industry 4.0 with Industrial Data Platforms: Architecture, Challenges, and Innovations
Industrial data platforms are key to Industry 4.0, enabling seamless data integration, AI/ML, and IIoT insights. This paper explores their architecture, real-world applications, challenges, and trends like multi-cloud and edge computing, driving digital transformation.
The Role of Cloud Computing in Industry 4.0 and Beyond
This article explains how cloud computing is improving manufacturing efficiency, innovation, and Industry 4.0. Cloud computing provides scalability, cost savings, and real-time data. It covers deployment and access models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), case studies from leading companies, and data security and compliance. To help manufacturers navigate digital transformation, the article provides leadership alignment, migration planning, and skill development for cloud adoption.
MES on AWS
The AWS guide on modernizing MES emphasizes transitioning to a microservice-based cloud architecture, underscoring agility, scalability, and quicker market adaptation benefits. It provides a roadmap using AWS services for decision-makers to adopt a modern MES approach effectively. Below are some examples of MES on AWS.
Closing the manufacturing skills gap with generative AI
The piece discusses leveraging generative AI to mitigate the manufacturing skills gap by enabling chatbots that draw information from extensive domain-specific support on the floor, enhancing decision-making and productivity.
Defending Manufacturing In A Connected World
The article emphasizes the critical importance of cybersecurity in modern manufacturing, where interconnected systems expose operations to heightened risks. It advocates for proactive measures, such as adopting zero-trust architecture, enhancing employee training, and leveraging advanced threat detection technologies to safeguard industrial ecosystems. By integrating robust defense strategies, manufacturers can mitigate vulnerabilities and ensure operational resilience in an increasingly connected world.
Digital Twins And MES: A Synergistic Approach To Manufacturing Excellence
Explores how integrating Digital Twins with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) enhances manufacturing processes by providing real-time data, predictive analytics, and comprehensive lifecycle management. This synergy helps manufacturers optimize operations, improve decision-making, and innovate in response to complex and dynamic market demands.
Understanding Edge Computing's Role In Manufacturing
Discover how edge computing revolutionizes manufacturing by enabling real-time data processing and immediate decision-making. This article delves into the practical implementation, benefits like reduced latency and enhanced security, and how it complements cloud computing to optimize manufacturing processes.
Navigating The Manufacturing Maze: Choosing The Right MES For Your Business
Explore the intricacies of selecting the right Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for your business, focusing on functional fit, scalability, and vendor reputation. This article guides manufacturers through the decision-making process, emphasizing the importance of aligning MES solutions with industry-specific needs and future-proofing for emerging technologies.
The Future Factory: How GenAI Is Overhauling Manufacturing
This article delves into GenAI's applications, from real-time data processing to generating specific content, and discusses implementation strategies, data security, and employee adaptation for a transformative impact on the manufacturing industry.
The Future Of Manufacturing Is Vision-Powered
Find out how computer vision, combined with AI and machine learning, is revolutionizing manufacturing by automating inspections, enhancing quality control, and boosting efficiency. This article highlights the transformative potential of vision-powered manufacturing, from improving product quality to integrating predictive maintenance and process monitoring for long-term industrial innovation.
Driver based demand planning using o9 - Reference architecture on AWS
This reference architecture outlines how to integrate various data sources into the o9 SaaS solution using AWS services. It covers ingesting data from SQL/NoSQL systems, ERP/CRM systems, SaaS applications, and streaming sources, using tools like AWS DataSync, Amazon Kinesis, and AWS Glue. It also discusses enhancing demand planning with AI/ML models and big data processing, utilizing AWS analytics services such as Amazon Redshift and Amazon SageMaker for scalable and efficient demand planning.
My Accolades
ALM Consulting Magazine - Top Consultant 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award
Substantiate the candidates’ lifetime accomplishments and contributions to the consulting profession. Demonstrating nominee’s significant impact on the success of their firms, clients, and their support and advancement of workplace and communities. Describe and demonstrate relevant or innovative work and achievements furthering industry standards, practices, education and social responsibility.
Fellow at British Computer Society
BCS Fellowship is home to the most influential professionals in the digital industry. Connect with the leaders who share your passion for tech, your technical expertise, your business acumen, ethics and social responsibilities.
APICS CPIM Fellow
The APICS Fellow designation is awarded to an elite group of professionals who share their knowledge with others through presenting, publishing, teaching, and participating in volunteer activities that promote the APICS Body of Knowledge.
My Volunteering
Mentoring
The Global Mentorship Initiative (GMI) bridges the gap between graduation and first-career jobs for underrepresented and refugee students from diverse communities. Through leveraging digital resources, mentorship, AI, and human connection, we are building a more equitable workforce of tomorrow’s leaders.
Judge | Globee® Awards for Cybersecurity
Judges critically evaluate numerous submissions in cybersecurity, using their expertise to assess quality, relevance, and compliance. They also contribute through mentoring, advising, or decision-making. Their role shapes industry standards and practices, impacting business and professional growth. This credential formally recognizes their commitment and contributions to their field.
Judge | Golden Bridge Awards®
Judges critically evaluate numerous submissions in innovation and technology, using their expertise to assess quality, relevance, and compliance. They also contribute through mentoring, advising, or decision-making. Their role shapes industry standards and practices, impacting business and professional growth. This credential formally recognizes their commitment and contributions to their field.
Judge | Globee® Awards for Technology
Judges critically evaluate numerous submissions in technology, using their expertise to assess quality, relevance, and compliance. They also contribute through mentoring, advising, or decision-making. Their role shapes industry standards and practices, impacting business and professional growth. This credential formally recognizes their commitment and contributions to their field.
Judging at Formula Hacks
This hackathon was organized by the University of Texas, Austin, Department of Computer Science. A dynamic hackathon infused with the spirit of racing occurred over the weekend of March 22-23 2024. Centered on rapid innovation in the automotive field, this event is designed to welcome newcomers and captivate participants with the high-speed world of racing.
Judging at Hacklahoma
The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Department of Computer Science organized this hackathon. It is a yearly 24-hour hackathon that students host. With a goal to create a collaborative environment for students of all backgrounds, experience levels, and majors to express their creative and innovative visions,. This was their seventh-annual event in an in-person-only fashion year in 2024.
Judging at RowdyHacks
RowdyHacks IX was a free, weekend-long, overnight hackathon hosted at the University of Texas at San Antonio's School of Data Science in Feb 2024. Students and recent graduates had the opportunity to network, code, collaborate, and compete for amazing prizes. The event welcomed participants from all disciplines, backgrounds, and skill levels.
Tutor at Eklavya Nyasa
Eklavya Nayasa (EN) works to improve the lives of children of commercial sex workers, alcoholics, street children, and single parents. EN aims to remove social stigmas, promote healthier lifestyles, and prevent these children from falling into detrimental roles. By focusing on education, health, nourishment, and support, EN empowers children to become self-reliant. From 2006 to 2008, I taught Maths, Science, and English to these Children.
My Designations
APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)
The APICS Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) program is recognized as the standard of professional competence in materials management, master scheduling, forecasting, production planning and how it applies across the extended supply chain.
(APICS ID:1747157)
ASQ Senior Member & Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
An ASQ Senior Member is a member of the American Society for Quality (ASQ) who has demonstrated their dedication to quality and professional achievement. The Certified Six Sigma Black Belt is a professional who can explain Six Sigma philosophies and principles, including supporting systems and tools.
The Open Group Certified: TOGAF® 9 Certified
Badge earners are able, in addition to the knowledge and comprehension of the TOGAF 9 Foundation, to analyze and apply this knowledge. This includes the terminology, structure, and concepts of the TOGAF 9 Standard. It includes understanding the core principles of enterprise architecture, the TOGAF ADM phases, the TOGAF content meta-model, TOGAF ADM tools and techniques, as well as approaches for adapting the TOGAF ADM.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Earners of this certification have a comprehensive understanding of AWS services and technologies. They demonstrated the ability to build secure and robust solutions using architectural design principles based on customer requirements. Badge owners are able to strategically design well-architected distributed systems that are scalable, resilient, efficient, and fault-tolerant.
Official Member and Smart Manufacturing Group Leader
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. The Member Leader Program is a leadership opportunity for Forbes Councils members. Once approved, members can become an official leader of a Forbes Councils Group and receive support for hosting their own events.
SM & IIOT Division Board Member and GenAI Commitee Chair
The primary goals of SMIIoT are to provide clarity around these ever-evolving spaces, develop useful technical content, develop standardized approaches to solve critical problems, and provide a forum for networking and collaboration. .
IEEE Senior Member
Senior member is the highest grade for which IEEE members can apply. IEEE members can self-nominate, or be nominated, for Senior Member grade. Senior Membership grade is held by only small percent of IEEE’s more than 400,000 members. “Realization of this grade requires extensive experience and reflects professional maturity and documented achievements of significance.“
PMI Certified Project Management Professional
The PMP acknowledges candidates skilled at managing the people, processes, and business priorities of professional projects. PMI, the world’s leading authority on project management, created the PMP to recognize project managers who have proven they have project leadership experience and expertise in any way of working.
My Podcasts and Webinars
Media
Contact Me
Ravi Soni
I have developed a diverse and comprehensive background in smart manufacturing, digital transformation, supply chain optimization, technology deployment, and cloud computing. I am eager to connect and collaborate with others who share similar interests and goals in these fields.