## 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** & \multicolumn{1}{c}{**Description and Recommendations**} \\ \hline \multirow{8}{*}{Development recommendations} & \multirow{4}{*}{Automation and robotization of individual machines/devices or their groups:} \\  & & Control devices—individual controllers (of machines, robots, equipment) and master PLCs (depending on configuration), \\  & Industrial sensors—sensors embedded in machines and robots (protection against damage, breakdowns, and quality deterioration) \\  & and for monitoring the interaction of machines and robots (safety systems and sensors), \\  & Safety systems—dedicated systems and devices for human, machine, infrastructure, and environment safety (including robot-human interaction analysis; risk assessment and mitigation; mechanical fencing when required; safe position monitoring with \\  & sensor-position and proximity switches; safety switches—mechanical, magnetic, coded, safety bols, safe hinges; gate systems; light curtains; sensors technology; intrinsically safe isolators; safety relay modules, safety mads and edges; safety bumps; safety \\  & controllers; software tools), \\  & Machine-to-Machine Communication—as in the previous case with an emphasis on industrial Ethernet-type interfaces, \\  & Man-Machine Interfaces—centralized/distributed monitoring and control of production, \\  & Application of process data—data analysis to monitor the correct workflow and process status, \\  & Monitoring and prediction (of equipment, machines, processes)—essential monitoring of operating parameters with display of \\  & alarms and error codes (including the entire automated system), possible use of systems that integrate data from controllers, use of \\  & SCADA systems and local IMRI panels, \\  & Application of IT infrastructure in production departments—web-based shared data ports, \\  & Application of integrated IT infrastructure in management and business processes—uniform data formats and data exchange rules, \\ \hline \multirow{8}{*}{Advantages} & \multirow{8}{*}{Machinery, infrastructure, and equipment:} \\  & Maintaining continuity of work and basic machine operations during the process without the involvement of employees (loading, \\  & unloading, reorientation), \\  & High (but limited) flexibility depending on the functionality and purpose of machinery and equipment (production lines or cells with \\  & variable scope and volume of production), proper management and production planning. \\  & Minimization of the number of machine failures due to operator errors, \\  & Increasing productivity, repeatability, and quality, \\  & Integration of machines and robots through network infrastructure and efficient communication protocols, \\  & Human resources: \\  & & Physically relieving the employees’ workload, reorganizing work methods (inclusion in processes that require manual labor with less \\  & intensity and physical strain), \\  & Increased safety and reduced number of injuries and accidents, \\  & The possibility of operating several machines or production cells simultaneously, \\  & Processes: \\  & Full availability of machine information (locally—HMIs, SCADA; remotely—industrial and enterprise networks), \\  & Advanced shift capacity planning (efficiency, coordination of feeding and pick-up from storage fields), \\  & Structured warehouse, supply, and intralogistics management, \\  & Reduction of waste and increase in production efficiency through planning, scheduling, and production preparation, \\ \hline \multirow{8}{*}{Disadvantages} & \multirow{8}{*}{Machinery, infrastructure, and equipment:} \\  & Additional robot tooling required (gripper changers, tools, or effectors needed in the process), additional infrastructure (e.g., \\  & compressed air generation and distribution facilities), \\  & Additional measures and safety systems required for conventional robots (fences, locks, curtains, safety controllers, Lockout/Tagout \\  & systems, etc.). \\  & The need for additional warehouses, storage fields, and the reorganization of methods and strategies for the circulation of materials \\  & Human resources: \\  & Required qualifications in robot operation and programming (in-house resources or outsourcing), \\  & Required application of dedicated security measures and the development of access procedures, \\  & Processes: \\  & The need for accurate planning and scheduling of production (including the allocation of resources and materials, considering the \\  & risk of unplanned downtimes and random factors). \\  & The need to develop and implement procedures (including; removing detuning, damages, and failures; storage or rapid purchase of \\  & spare parts; integrator or service companies involved), \\  & Required development of stringent procedures (depending on the type of robot-human collaboration: fenced robot, coexistence, \\  & sequential collaboration, cooperation, responsive collaboration) for safety in case of presence in the work area, maintenance, and repairs, \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}