Does BMSvision use AI?
We get this question a lot. And we understand why. Every technology company is racing to position itself as an AI leader. The term artificial intelligence is used so frequently that it risks losing its meaning, especially in the context of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing.
So let’s answer with a fact, not a buzzword.
In March 1987, our team presented a paper at Clemson University titled “Artificial Intelligence in Modern Weaving.” Written by Bernard Cruycke, then Director at Barco Industries (our predecessor company), it described:
- an expert system that automatically detected problem machines in real time,
- a knowledge base built by capturing the expertise of human operators,
- an inference engine that diagnosed root causes and proposed corrective actions,
- bi‑directional communication between machines and a central plant computer,
- a closed‑loop feedback system where operators confirmed or overrode recommendations, continuously improving accuracy.
In today’s language, this is AI‑driven MES, combined with IIoT connectivity, real‑time production monitoring, automated diagnostics, and human‑in‑the‑loop learning. In 1987, we called it an expert system. Today, the industry calls it smart manufacturing.
The paper even included a comparison between human experts and expert systems. One conclusion still holds true nearly 40 years later: machines excel in speed, consistency, and availability, but humans remain essential for creativity, judgment, and adapting to change. That balance remains fundamental to any serious manufacturing execution system (MES) using AI today.
What matters is not the terminology. What matters is the mindset behind it.
Since 1975, BMSvision has been collecting machine data, structuring it, analyzing it, and transforming it into actionable intelligence for manufacturers. We have refined this approach across textile, plastics, and packaging production environments worldwide for five decades.
AI is not a trend we are following. It is a path we have been walking since before most of today’s AI companies existed.
Today, our MES software combines artificial intelligence and machine learning with real‑time production visibility, energy management, advanced planning, and quality control. The technology has evolved dramatically, but the philosophy has not: collect the right data, apply intelligence, and empower people on the shop floor to make better decisions, faster.
So, does BMSvision use AI?
For nearly four decades, BMS has been turning machine data into manufacturing intelligence. When it comes to AI in this industry, we're not newcomers. We're proud to say, we are (part of the) founders.
Interested to know more about our history? Have a look at our 50-year journey.
