In this episode of the Smart Metals Podcast, Luke van Enkhuizen and Denis Goncharov dive into a real-world case study of deploying a Unified Namespace (UNS) at a welding shop in the Netherlands using the United Manufacturing Hub (UMH). 

They discuss the challenges of integrating ERP and MES systems, why traditional point-to-point connections often fail, and how a UNS enables real-time visibility, data flexibility, and scalability. 

🔹 What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ Why a UNS was chosen over traditional integrations
✅ How the system was deployed in just one day
✅ The business benefits: real-time alerts, scalability & low cost
✅ How SMBs can leverage enterprise-grade software without major investment 

🎧 Listen now and learn how to future-proof your digital transformation!  

Timestamps: 

00:00 – 🎙️ Welcome to the Smart Metals Podcast
 00:50 – 🔍 Understanding the Client’s Needs
 02:07 – 🏭 Why Choose a Unified Namespace?
 05:43 – ⚙️ Implementing the United Manufacturing Hub
 11:35 – 🔄 Deployment and Real-Time Success
 20:47 – 🚧 Challenges and Lessons Learned
 27:19 – 🌍 Future Prospects and Final Thoughts  

Notable Quotes: 

📢 "Why not just make a point-to-point connection between the ERP and the MES system? The answer lies in real-time visibility. We needed flexibility to change things over time, and the MES system was a closed, off-the-shelf solution. A Unified Namespace gave us the control we needed to integrate multiple systems seamlessly." – Luke van Enkhuizen 

📢 "One of the key reasons we chose a Unified Namespace was future expandability. Today, we’re integrating ERP and MES, but tomorrow we may need to add SCADA systems, cloud data, or even CRM insights. With a UNS, we build an independent system that grows with the business." – Denis Goncharov 

📢 "The biggest frustration with traditional point-to-point integrations is that they break. Data gets out of sync, connections fail, and you end up manually fixing errors. A UNS ensures that everything stays aligned in real-time without those fragile dependencies." – Luke van Enkhuizen 

📢 "We managed to develop and deploy the entire solution in just one day. By following IT best practices and leveraging the United Manufacturing Hub, we had everything prepared before even stepping onto the factory floor. That level of efficiency is a game-changer." – Denis Goncharov 

📢 "You don’t need to start with the perfect business case—just a direction. Once we implemented the UNS, the client immediately saw 10 more opportunities they could tackle. That’s the real power of having an open, scalable data infrastructure." – Luke van Enkhuizen  

Links & Resources: 

🔗 Follow the show: https://smartmetals.transistor.fm/
🔗 About Denis Goncharov: https://gontcharov.eu/
🔗 About Luke van Enkhuizen: https://vanenkhuizen.com/  

Support the Podcast! 

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Ready to Listen? 

🎧 Press play and discover how a Unified Namespace can transform your factory floor! 🚀