A start-up develops a machine-learning solution that predicts operational downtime
MANY companies have started to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and big data. This is especially true when it comes to companies that operate 24/7. They cannot afford to encounter mishaps along the way that will affect daily operations. Though the issues are imminent, they are not something that can be detected until they occur.
How do you counter a problem that you can't even see with your own eyes? Create a solution that can detect it before it happens. And that's what Synapse chief executive officer, Dr Afnizanfaizal Abdullah, who is also an AI researcher and big data expert from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), did.
HOW IT STARTED
The 2-year-old company started from Afnizanfaizal's recollection of incidents that occurred in the late 1990s when he was a young boy in Shah Alam.
"Back then, Shah Alam often experienced power outages at any time of the day, and there were a lot of factories and industries around. The abrupt disruption was taxing for us as we went about our day, but imagine how much the factories and industries lost due to the outages?
"After I graduated and got my Ph.D, I started to delve into AI and thought, 'how convenient would it be if we have a solution that can predict mishaps before they occur'."
Finally, on Feb 17, 2019, Synapse Innovation was established as one of UTM's companies. They managed to get many clients from manufacturing industries that were looking for a similar solution.
HOW IT WORKS
The solution works like a fever. You get symptoms when you are sick and this is how Synapse helps you detect the problem.
"We came up with a platform that collects data and information from industries' or factories' existing software and sensors, and store them in the cloud.
"From there, our machine learning engine will process the data and identify their behavioural patterns for three to four months, for us to predict the machine failure's symptoms," he explained.
After predicting the symptoms, the AI machine can suggest early maintenance for the client's assets to prevent operational downtime as well as offer suggestions on what to do next.
"Our clients are mostly manufacturers and small-medium businesses, but currently we are serving those from the oil and gas, production and logistics industries. We have around 20 companies on board as clients," said Afnizanfaizal.
ADVANTAGES
The great thing about the solution is that it is highly integrated without the need to get new hardware or software.
Synapse's complementary software connects products with the company's hardware, so there is no need to buy anything else.
"The solution is also customisable. Typically a software will require you to use every feature, even unnecessary ones, at your expense. But our product will only consider your most needed features," said Afnizanfaizal.
"Furthermore, we are accessible. There is no need to buy software from foreign countries. Manufacturers no longer need to access the customer service and pay for every customisation because we offer a premium and affordable service to our clients," he said.
CHALLENGES
Of course, in its journey, Synapse didn't escape from difficulties.
Afnizanfaizal said that as an academician and lecturer, he has to market his product to the university he is serving, which allows him to do his business. But balancing between academics and industries is no easy feat.
"However, with the help of the Cyberview Living Lab Accelerator (CLLA) that accepted our company to be under its tutelage, we learnt a lot on how to manage our business," he said.
Afnizanfaizal said that being a scientist and academician, it's natural for him to use scientific and technological jargon when explaining his products to the clients, which could be bewildering.
But CLLA has helped him and his team to reduce the use of scientific terms as they go along.
"We also had a hard time convincing our first-time clients to join accelerators due to our lack of communication skills and the ability to sell ourselves as a brand. However, CLLA has helped us a lot in that department and we've grown since then," he added.
According to Cyberview Sdn Bhd head of Technology Hub Development Division, Shafinaz Salim, the CLLA programme supports the growth of local startups and innovators with the right access, tools and knowledge to optimise and commercialise their products and solutions.
"Our 15th cohort start-ups and their achievements thus far have made us very proud. Despite the pandemic, the five participating startups were optimistic and determined in developing and deploying their solutions.
"The CLLA emphasises solutions that are demand-led, which is exactly what these startups have demonstrated to be," she said.
FUTURE PLAN
"Our future plan is not grand, but we are planning to venture abroad. Recently, we have been engaging with a company in Saudi Arabia and it is willing to collaborate with us.
"The company plans on becoming our reseller in the Saudi market and from there, we are looking forward to delivering our product into that region," said Afnizanfaizal.