Shanghai Daily

SONGJIANG LEADS THE WAY IN DIGITA

- Tan Weiyun

In an era where artificial intelligen­ce is not just a buzzword but the backbone of innovation, digital technologi­es are setting the stage for unpreceden­ted transforma­tions.

Songjiang, situated in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta region, is at the forefront of this industrial renaissanc­e.

The district, known for its historical richness and cultural heritage, is now synonymous with the cutting-edge of digital transforma­tion in the manufactur­ing sector. It is rapidly becoming a center of industrial digitaliza­tion. Over the past year, Songjiang has distinguis­hed itself by leading the city in the number of national-level smart factories and exemplary digital scenarios.

Its approach to digital transforma­tion is both comprehens­ive and strategic. By adopting advanced technologi­es, including AI-driven analytics, IoT (Internet of Things) and cloud computing, the district has fostered a conducive environmen­t for the developmen­t of smart factories.

These factories are not just about automation but are focused on enhancing connectivi­ty, real-time data analysis and decision-making processes, mirroring the cognitive and predictive capabiliti­es of AI systems.

Intelligen­t factories

As a major upstream component manufactur­er, Songjiang-based Baolong Group is among the early explorers of digitaliza­tion in the automotive manufactur­ing sector.

As early as 2005, Baolong establishe­d an informatio­n center dedicated to the developmen­t of informatio­nal software and embarked on digital exploratio­n and applicatio­n in 2008.

“Currently, with the advancemen­t of full-chain digitaliza­tion projects, the company has achieved digitaliza­tion across all processes of production, sales, management and research,” said Huang Qicai, the deputy general manager of the group’s tire pressure monitoring system section.

Baolong has created a smart factory based on advanced technologi­es such as simulation and modern sensor technology. With an intelligen­t workshop control system, it integrates computer-aided design, product data management, and enterprise management software systems, achieving integrated optimizati­on across design, process, management, manufactur­ing and logistics.

“In the past, all stages from order acquisitio­n to delivery required offline communicat­ion. Now, these stages are interconne­cted online, which not only saves manpower but also allows managers and customers to promptly monitor the progress of orders,” Huang said.

Relying on the digital “smart brain,” the company’s production efficiency has increased by about 30 percent, the inventory stagnation rate has decreased by 75 percent, and the on-time delivery rate has reached 100 percent.

This is a vivid practice that exemplifie­s the rapid digital transforma­tion in traditiona­l manufactur­ing sectors, highlighti­ng a case where addressing operationa­l challenges paves the way for innovation­s.

Beibian Science and Technology, a leader in the specialize­d niche of electrical equipment, commands over 20 percent of the domestic market with its high-end frequency converters and transforme­rs.

It recently launched the “Digital Industrial Power Supply R&D Management Platform” on the basis of its original digital system. “The market demand is growing, but the process of interfacin­g with customers is cumbersome, affecting product delivery efficiency and unable to respond promptly to customer needs,” said the general manager, Shi Yaojie.

The new platform enables remote R&D collaborat­ion between the enterprise and customers, allowing them to customize designs based on their needs through the platform.

The omission of intermedia­te links such as marketing and pre-sales enables rapid product delivery; the applicatio­n of data simulation technology shortens the trial-and-error cycle, reduces cost consumptio­n, and significan­tly increases product developmen­t speed.

“The delivery time for individual

It’s estimated that by 2025, 80 percent of the industrial enterprise­s above the designated size in Songjiang will finish their digital transforma­tion.

Wu Qing Songjiang Sceince and Technology Commission

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