What is it that comes to your mind when you think of a “Chatbot”? For me, it always reminds me of Siri, Alexa who can chat with us just like real humans. So, a chatbot is an automated system that is designed to interact with humans to the extent that they do not even realize that they are talking to a computer program. Most of the industry verticals have adopted chatbots for automating their processes and Insurance sector is one of them.

The insurance sector has always been a laggard when it comes to adapting to new technologies, but AI backed technology and RPA for insurance is nothing less than a boon for this sector. Insurance industry primarily revolves around in-depth analysis and information processing which makes it ripe for AI intervention.

The rise of the Automated Insurance Agent and RPA:

Is chatbot a winner for the insurance sector or it is still struggling to find its place? As per the TCS survey report, the Insurance sector has invested an average of $124million on AI and related processes, and this value is projected to rise exponentially as more investment on diverse applications is on the immediate horizon. The automation of several processes like broking, low-level claims processing, standardized underwriting is already implemented, and more automation is expected to follow.

RPA for insurance has also helped to mechanize the repetitive tasks that once needed a dedicated workforce.

A change in the customer’s perspective:

Another factor that is playing a catalyst in pushing Insurance companies to digitize their operations is the customer. Customers are not shying away from the automated insurance agents rather they are embracing it full-heartedly. With the advent of extreme digitalization verbal communication has been replaced by written communication and people are accustomed to typing and texting. 77% of insurance customers are entirely okay with chatbots if it means alleviating the wait times that they often face with real-time customer representatives. Also, one out of every four insurance customers is comfortable with interacting with a chatbot which further implicates that automated insurance agents do not have a grim future and they are here to stay.

Machine learning applications for data:

The next step in the insurance industry involves leveraging the benefits of AI to analyze and collate the available data from various channels like the social media, emails, and online postings and provide customers with more specific and sophisticated insurance products. Such systems can help insurance companies to grow, improve sales, reduce costs and make well-informed decisions. It also helps to improve customer experience as they no more have to wait for getting their queries processed or obtaining information about their claims.

Implementing machine learning tools for making accurate predictions based on available data patterns is also a crucial part of the insurance industry. For instance, if one has available data for online insurance purchases, then it can help to narrow down the customer preferences based on the demographics which in return help with more lead conversion. The claims department can also analyze the data patterns for inconsistency and detect any fraudulent activities.

Jobs Creation:

The rise in the automated insurance agent may replace the conventional agent workforce, but there is a growing possibility of new job positions. As more and more companies will start deploying new technologies for their operations the need of digital analysts, online marketers and developers will subsequently rise. The companies will need technically proficient individuals with knowledge in machine learning, analytics and automation programs to manage their web-based sales.

Insurance companies are already feeling the pressure and the importance of automation. The rapid technological advancement and a paradigm shift in the consumer’s buying behaviour are requiring companies to adopt new technologies. Tech pundits have predicted that there is a wealth of information to explore when it comes to Artificial Intelligence for Insurance.

Smart Manufacturing Dashboards: A Real-Time Guide for Data-Driven Ops

By : Divyanjali Gupta

Published on Jul 31, 2025

Data Science Manufacturing Analytics Smart Manufacturing

Smart Manufacturing starts with real-time visibility.

Manufacturing companies today generate data by the second through sensors, machines, ERP systems, and MES platforms. But without real-time insights, even the most advanced production lines are essentially flying blind.

Manufacturers are implementing real-time dashboards that serve as control towers for their daily operations, enabling them to shift from reactive to proactive decision-making. These tools are essential to the evolution of Smart Manufacturing, where connected systems, automation, and intelligent analytics come together to drive measurable impact.

Data is available, but what’s missing is timely action.

For many plant leaders and COOs, one challenge persists: operational data is dispersed throughout systems, delayed, or hidden in spreadsheets. And this delay turns into a liability.

Real-time dashboards help uncover critical answers:

What caused downtime during last night’s shift?
Was there a delay in maintenance response?
Did a specific inventory threshold trigger a quality issue?

By converting raw inputs into real-time manufacturing analytics, dashboards make operational intelligence accessible to operators, supervisors, and leadership alike, enabling teams to anticipate problems rather than react to them.

1. Why Static Reports Fall Short

Reports often arrive late—after downtime, delays, or defects have occurred.
Disconnected data across ERP, MES, and sensors limits cross-functional insights.
Static formats lack embedded logic for proactive decision support.

2. What Real-Time Dashboards Enable

Line performance and downtime trends
Track OEE in real time and identify underperforming lines.

Predictive maintenance alerts
Utilize historical and sensor data to identify potential part failures in advance.

Inventory heat maps & reorder thresholds
Anticipate stockouts or overstocks based on dynamic reorder points.

Quality metrics linked to operator actions
Isolate shifts or procedures correlated with spikes in defects or rework.

These insights allow production teams to drive day-to-day operations in line with Smart Manufacturing principles.

3. Dashboards That Drive Action

Role-based dashboards
Dashboards can be configured for machine operators, shift supervisors, and plant managers, each with a tailored view of KPIs.

Embedded alerts and nudges
Real-time prompts, like “Line 4 below efficiency threshold for 15+ minutes,” reduce response times and minimize disruptions.

Cross-functional drill-downs
Teams can identify root causes more quickly because users can move from plant-wide overviews to detailed machine-level data in seconds.

4. What Powers These Dashboards

Data lakehouse integration
Unified access to ERP, MES, IoT sensor, and QA systems—ensuring reliable and timely manufacturing analytics.

ETL pipelines
Real-time data ingestion from high-frequency sources with minimal latency.

Visualization tools
Custom builds using Power BI, or customized solutions designed for frontline usability and operational impact.

Smart Manufacturing in Action: Reducing Market Response Time from 48 Hours to 30 Minutes

Mantra Labs partnered with a North American die-casting manufacturer to unify its operational data into a real-time dashboard. Fragmented data, manual reporting, delayed pricing decisions, and inconsistent data quality hindered operational efficiency and strategic decision-making.

Tech Enablement:

Centralized Data Hub with real-time access to critical business insights.
Automated report generation with data ingestion and processing.
Accurate price modeling with real-time visibility into metal price trends, cost impacts, and customer-specific pricing scenarios.
Proactive market analysis with intuitive Power BI dashboards and reports.

Business Outcomes:

Faster response to machine alerts
Quality incidents traced to specific operator workflows
4X faster access to insights led to improved inventory optimization.

As this case shows, real-time dashboards are not just operational tools—they’re strategic enablers.

(Learn More: Powering the Future of Metal Manufacturing with Data Engineering)

Key Takeaways: Smart Manufacturing Dashboards at a Glance

Aspect	What You Should Know
1. Why Static Reports Fall Short	Delayed insights after issues occur Disconnected systems (ERP, MES, sensors) No real-time alerts or embedded decision logic
2. What Real-Time Dashboards Enable	Track OEE and downtime in real-time Predictive maintenance using sensor data Dynamic inventory heat maps Quality linked to operators
3. Dashboards That Drive Action	Role-based views (operator to CEO) Embedded alerts like “Line 4 down for 15+ mins” Drilldowns from plant-level to machine-level
4. What Powers These Dashboards	Unified Data Lakehouse (ERP + IoT + MES) Real-time ETL pipelines Power BI or custom dashboards built for frontline usability

Conclusion

Smart Manufacturing dashboards aren’t just analytics tools—they’re productivity engines. Dashboards that deliver real-time insight empower frontline teams to make faster, better decisions—whether it’s adjusting production schedules, triggering preventive maintenance, or responding to inventory fluctuations.

Explore how Mantra Labs can help you unlock operations intelligence that’s actually usable.

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