# From Paper and Spreadsheets to Connected Data: Making the Digital Leap w/ Ian Burns

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2026-03-10
- Episode: 300
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-03-10-from-paper-and-spreadsheets-to-connected-data-making-the-digital-leap-w-ian-burn
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-f0d86561-95da-4c1d-8ce3-62b32210eade

## Summary

Ian Burns, President of Applied Control Engineering (ACE), discusses the transition of midsize manufacturers from paper and spreadsheets to connected, data-driven environments. He explains how digital twins are used for operator training and control system validation to reduce downtime, and highlights the critical need for Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity as systems become interconnected. Burns also notes that despite economic uncertainty, manufacturers can find value in incremental data investments rather than just large capital projects.

## Chapters

- [0:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-03-10-from-paper-and-spreadsheets-to-connected-data-making-the-digital-leap-w-ian-burn#t=34) Introduction: Ian Burns and Applied Control Engineering
- [6:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-03-10-from-paper-and-spreadsheets-to-connected-data-making-the-digital-leap-w-ian-burn#t=374) The Persistence of Paper and Spreadsheets in Manufacturing
- [9:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-03-10-from-paper-and-spreadsheets-to-connected-data-making-the-digital-leap-w-ian-burn#t=578) Practical Applications of Digital Twins
- [17:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-03-10-from-paper-and-spreadsheets-to-connected-data-making-the-digital-leap-w-ian-burn#t=1025) Case Study: Electronic Batch Records and Data Quality
- [23:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-03-10-from-paper-and-spreadsheets-to-connected-data-making-the-digital-leap-w-ian-burn#t=1380) OT Cybersecurity and Availability
- [27:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2026-03-10-from-paper-and-spreadsheets-to-connected-data-making-the-digital-leap-w-ian-burn#t=1631) Investing in Incremental Value Amid Uncertainty

## Topics

- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Applied Control Engineering (company)
- Guerrilla 76 (company)
- PLC (tool)
- SCADA (tool)
- AICHE (other)
- ISA (other)
- NSPE (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Cybersecurity Mini-Series: Why Security Matters (Ep. 1 of 4)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-04-17-cybersecurity-mini-series-why-security-matters-ep-1-of-4) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [250: How to Uncover Your "Hidden Factory" and Extract More Value from the Plant Floor featuring Tri Tech Automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-26-250-how-to-uncover-your-hidden-factory-and-extract-more-value-from-the-plant-flo) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Automation 101 with Chris Luecke Manufacturing Happy Hour, Ep #2](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2024-11-20-automation-101-with-chris-luecke-manufacturing-happy-hour-ep-2) (Lights Out)
- [The Connected Advantage: Solving Real Problems with Hexagon's Digital Workforce, Ep #20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep) (Lights Out)
- [EMS@C-LEVEL Season #2021 Episode #8 with Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, Instrumental](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-08-09-ems-c-level-season-2021-episode-8-with-anna-katrina-shedletsky-instrumental) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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