I am trying to bet on how many new Javascript frameworks will be released each month. I think, the best developer’s game in the past 5 years. I really think 2018 will be the perfect time for learning one framework for one problem and being able to mix them without (I hope) too much issue. At least before the “next big framework” :-)

Some of the main Javascript frameworks to watch in 2018 are here:

GraphQL:

Brings a new way to query data from server to frontend. You can think of it as a new protocol, a communication standard between client and server. Not only for websites, but also for desktop and mobile apps. This concept of “fetching only what you need” is important and should be at the core of every front and back end development. Reducing the size of every network exchange is crucial, especially for users with slow networks. I believe that GraphQL could become a standard in 2018.

React:

who doesn’t know React in 2018? React is actually not easy to learn, I see my students challenged by it everyday. But when all concepts of props, state, life cycle, actions, etc. are mastered, it is a very powerful tool. It will remain a strong Javascript framework in the year to come.

Vue.js:

we witnessed an interesting fight between React and Vue.js in 2017. Both are powerful, but Vue.js is easier to learn than React. The community around it is starting to grow really fast and we hope the industry will continue to adopt it in production.

React Native and Electron:

Two frameworks for desktop and mobile apps. While they are still not at the level of native app languages (iOS, Android and desktop), their performances are really impressive.

Reason

The new way to write React applications; bye bye pure Javascript! It can be trendy, but I believe that with the support of Facebook it could be the next standard for writing React applications. We should keep an eye on it and watch how the language evolves in 2018.

Next and Now

React has a strong ecosystem. Next and Now are proof of it. Easy to use and make React projects ready for production. Deploying and distributing React applications at scale can be challenging, mainly for small teams. Next and Now are designed to make a developer’s life easier.

Honorable Mentions for 2018:

Lona (created by AirBnB – https://github.com/airbnb/Lona): Transform Sketch files from designer to UI code: iOS, Android, Web and Web mobile. It’s based on a simple app that can solve a lot of communication issues between Designers and Developers. Trust me, both of them think of themselves as rock stars, and like every rock star, they don’t like compromises. Now with Lona, designers can directly integrate and test their creation easily without bothering developers.
Aurelia (http://aurelia.io): Is a complete solution for creating your online presence: web, mobile and desktop. I think it can be a good start for any new project or start-up: easy to learn, easy to put in place and good support.

Inputs provided by Guillaume Salva, Full-Stack Software Engineer at Holberton School.

Here, you can find out the trends and frameworks in 2017

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.

Loading More Posts