Connecting OT & IT: How Paper Excellence Transformed Operations With Real-Time Production Costing

The pulp and paper production process extends far beyond what consumers see. Raw materials move through complex processes, leveraging defined recipes and a variety of production assets. However, the amount of raw materials, chemicals, and utilities used on the production floor often vary from stated recipes, requiring pulp and paper companies to reconcile target versus actual usage. For Paper Excellence, the reconciliation process was an end-of-month accounting exercise. Time consuming and lacking transparency, the process left employees looking in the rearview mirror to gather information. While the monthly reports were helpful, the company was unable to make key — and timely — adjustments to reduce costs and inefficiencies.