Updated Wednesday, March 20, 2024-10:07

A lot has happened since those words were heard in 2006 that the media reproduced almost to infinity. "Data is the new oil," predicted Clive Humby, one of the main exponents of data science, still largely unknown to the public.

That statement caused a stir

. Then, expert Michael Palmer would qualify his colleague and argue that "the data is valuable, but if it is not refined, it cannot be used.

Oil must be transformed into gas, plastic

..." The truth is that,

to this day today, Industry 4.0. It stopped being a promise a long time ago and became a reality

. A digital revolution that floods all areas of life and combines advanced techniques of robotics, analytics, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT)... and none of it is understood without data.

Nexiona is one of the featured companies of DFactory Barcelona, ​​the industry 4.0 ecosystem of international reference promoted by the Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium.

Its CEO Jaume Rey believes in the power of data, but after twelve years "dedicated exclusively" to its analysis, he affirms that people were, are and will be fundamental in any organization

. "During the first interviews with clients, I ask them 'how digital does your company want to be?'" he explains. For him, the desire to involve the staff in this transformation is fundamental. "Sharing achievements from the beginning gives rise to amazing things. It's a

quick win

," he remarks.

The Barcelona studio TurullSørensen Arquitectos, together with PGI-Torella, designed this steel structure and sustainability building certified with the Leed Gold seal.

Rey compares his job to that of a plumber

since we both "look for any data source in one place." He, in a factory or company, and the plumber, the water points of a facility. For this research, Nexiona uses

software

or IoT to locate this data of a different nature. Then, "we put them all together, we sanitize them, we align them, we homogenize them, and then we cross them." If it were a water treatment, the result would be "healthy drinking water."

But since it is data, its analysis offers relevant information on specific issues that interest the company to make decisions

. "Do I want to know, for example, how the Production Control department works?" Rey illustrates. Here the paradigm shift comes into play, because "in the 21st century it is no longer about saying how many pieces I make per month divided by costs." Today, "they want to know what happened to a specific piece." To do this, it is necessary to quantify date and day, author, salary, quantity and cost of energy at the time of production, supplier of the material, recipient of the order, how many more pieces were produced in that

pack

... In short, achieve a global idea.

But how is all this data collected? Jaume Rey highlights Nexiona's strength as its ability to operate on several fronts. On the one hand, its Miimetiq

software

, which once installed, allows the user to collect the information they want from their computer. But if you want to measure some aspect that escapes the

software

, the use of IoT technology, Wi-Fi networks or

Bluetooth

allows you to reach other areas. For example,

the constant geolocation of an operator in a gas plant or a petrochemical plant allows us to collect data on his activity but, in extreme cases, it will make a difference in safety issues

.

PEOPLE AND PLACE, KEY FACTORS

Nexiona has been operating since 2008. At that time, Rey worked for a well-known appliance brand and they suggested that he come up with a solution for remote maintenance of the appliances. That proposal "turned on a light bulb for me" and, from there, he created

software

for remote control and maintenance management of machines through the Internet. He had just laid the foundations for Nexiona, but

the possibility of each client deciding how to manage their own data is also being raised

. As needed, it could host them in the cloud or safeguard them through so-called data sovereignty.

Since its inception, Nexiona has opted to provide clients with their own custody of information.

A man tries out virtual glasses at the DFactory Barcelona.

"Over time, our original idea of ​​respecting data sovereignty has become necessary," he claims in a video call from the DFactory facilities in Barcelona.

Location is another of its strategic bets and the choice, therefore, is deliberate.

Thus, its 17,000 square meters have become an ecosystem in which up to 30 technology companies dedicated to robotics, sensors, Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, 3D printing or advanced manufacturing come together.

The DFactory building has the Leed Gold Certification

, has an energy supply through its photovoltaic panels and its south façade, made of glass, creates selective solar protection according to the inclination of the sun.

The Barcelona studio TurullSørensen Arquitectos, together with PGI-Torella, designed this steel structure building that draws on the industrial tradition of the area. Its internal distribution seeks to facilitate the relationship between people and machines. For this reason, in each of the four plants, the companies are installed around a large central production space that facilitates their interaction.

Today, HP, Kion Group, NTT Data and Siemens have already established their headquarters there.

Another example of the use of robotics at DFactory Barcelona.

Nexiona arrived at DFactory in September 2022 for several reasons. First of all, due to the nature of your project. "We are an SME with the ambition to be a multinational. If this had been a

startup

accelerator , we would not have come. At the moment,

we saw that this is a center of excellence for industry 4.0.

with consolidated companies and value propositions." A neighborhood that opens the door to collaborations.

Although focused on the present, Rey looks to the future. His goal is to improve "usability so that the way we relate to programs is more human and apply it in industrial environments." His efforts run along this path. "

Our golden dream would be for a plant director to walk into his office in the morning and with his voice say: I want this report and that. And the system will give it to him

," he prophesies. And clear the agenda for companies so that they focus on what is important: people.

Made by UE Studio

This text has been developed by UE Studio, the creative branded content and content marketing firm of Unidad Editorial, for DFACTORY BARCELONA.