## 2 A Method for Assessing the Maturity Level of Key Areas in Manufacturing Companies
### Characteristics of the Key Area
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c} \hline \hline
**Level Characteristic** & **Description and Recommendations** \\ \hline \hline \multirow{7}{*}{Current state} & Automation of individual machines or devices: \\  & Control devices—dedicated embedded machine controllers or PLCs, \\  & Industrial sensors—sensors integrated into machines (monitoring critical technological and operational parameters—protection against damage and failures, loss of the assumed quality level, or decrease in operational safety), \\  & Safety systems—as in the previous case, and built-in-asspter systems for individual machines, light curtains, and sensors, Fault \\  & Detection Systems, compliance with standards, \\  & Machine-to-Machine Communication—independent or connected machines via industrial fieldbus interfaces (e.g., Fountain \\  & Fieldbus, Device Net, ModBus/ ModBus TCP, ProHiBus, InterBus, ControlNet, HART, EtherCAT, ProHiNet, CAN, Varan, \\  & As-Interface, Devices, Ethernet, Fiber, CIP, IO-Link), \\  & Man-Machine Interfaces—integrated devices and user interfaces (e.g., HMI, SCADA), \\  & Application of process data—data storage mainly in the form of design documentation (CAD software) and machining \\  & Monitoring and prediction (in the domain of equipment, machines, processes)—essential monitoring of operating parameters (indication of error codes based on machine documentation; self-diagnostic functions: power-on self-diagnosis, monitoring, \\  & signal display interfaces, internal status and fault information display, offline test); mostly PM maintenance method, less often \\  & Application of IT infrastructure in production departments—possible connection of machines to the company’s network and internal servers, \\  & Application of integrated IT infrastructure in management and business processes—information exchange depending on the automation method adopted (most often a silced structure for information acquisition). \\ \hline \hline \multirow{7}{*}{Advantages} & Machinery, infrastructure, and equipment: \\  & High-volume stability—the ability to reliably produce batches of products over an extended period without significant \\  & fluctuations, interruptions, and downtimes, \\  & High and repeatable quality of technological parameters (high precision, accuracy, repeatability, and failure-free operation time), \\  & efficiency and scalability, \\  & Reduced downtime through the elimination of failures and detuning based on the monitoring of operational parameters, \\  & Less dependence on labor and human error, maintaining repeatable patterns, the possibility of digital simulations, lower \\  & operating costs (less expenditure on repairs following major breakdowns), increased operational safety, \\  & Support of the control process and monitoring of the workflow, the use of local user interfaces (e.g., HMI, M2M), and \\  & introduction of condition monitoring (partial or complete insight into the operational status of machinery and its parameters), \\  & A faster return on investment with properly planned production, optimization of the supply and distribution chain and a \\  & reduction in repairs caused by unforeseen factors, \\  & Human resources: \\  & Redeployment of staff to higher value work (development of technical skills in the operation and programming of machines, \\  & proposing improvements, and creative problem-solving), \\  & An increase in job satisfaction and productivity reduced physical and mental strain, \\  & Reduction of the task’s complexity and relieving the burden of repetitive or tedious activities, \\  & Increased work safety (elimination of dangerous and repetitive activities, limited access to machine work zones), \\  & Processes: \\  & Partial transition to electronic documentation (e.g., design and technological documentation, control programs, etc.), \\  & Increased certainty and quality of planning (repetitive work cycles, better insight, and improved production control), \\  & Reduction of production and maintenance costs (operational planning, monitoring of machinery and equipment, partial \\  & elimination of the human factor, increased productivity, waste minimization), \\  & Simplification of quality control procedures due to increased repeatability. \\ \hline \hline \multirow{7}{*}{Disadvantages} & Machinery, infrastructure, and equipment: \\  & Limited flexibility due to functionality and intended use (no possibility of changes, need for significant reconfiguration, \\  & replacement, or reprogramming if the production profile changes), \\  & The need to invest in software, necessary hardware components, and system maintenance, \\  & Possibility of getting stuck in the current situation (lack of standards enabling interoperability of existing facilities or production \\  & systems planned to be implemented—combining machines into specialized production cells), \\  & Strong dependence on technology—lack or temporary unavailability of electronic components, \\  & Human resources: \\  & The need to employ (or outsource) skilled programmers (CNC machines, PLCs), technologists, and maintenance staff, \\  & The possibility of fear of technology, staff errors and productivity losses (especially during the initial implementation period), \\  & Possible strong dependence on technology, loss of manual skills, and reduced creative thinking, \\  & Processes: \\  & Most often, a lack of connection between OT/IT levels (no recording of KPIs, metrics, and statistics), \\  & Flexibility depending on machinery, the efficiency of production planning, and the workload of production systems, \\  & The impact of programming and equipment costs on the unit price (profitability of production for a specific batch size), \\ \hline \hline \multirow{7}{*}{Growth opportunities} & Machinery, infrastructure, and equipment: \\  & Production without operators (a complex robotization of machine handling processes). \\  & Analysis of the functionality of available machinery and equipment to apply systems for monitoring and prediction of operational status, \\  & Human resources: \\  & Training of employees in new technologies, management methods, and production organization, \\  & Talent search and management, redesign of team structures (competencies and autonomy, tasks, division of responsibilities), \\  & Processes: \\  & Integration of production processes, quality control, intralogistics, and machine maintenance activities, \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}