Smarter Mills: AI Copilot Simplifies Factory Floors

Tietoevry’s AI-powered TIPS Copilot helps pulp and paper mills simplify complex systems, accelerate training, and make faster production decisions

11 May 2025

Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape operations at pulp, paper and packaging mills as software groups integrate AI tools into industrial management systems.

Tietoevry, the Nordic technology company, launched an AI assistant called TIPS Copilot in May to work alongside enterprise resource planning (ERP) and manufacturing execution systems (MES). The tool is designed to help mill operators interpret production data and make operational decisions more quickly.

Instead of relying on complex dashboards or predefined commands, operators can ask the system questions in everyday language. The software then generates recommendations based on operational data, such as how to increase output or reduce material waste.

The assistant is intended to simplify the use of industrial software that often requires extensive training. By combining AI with existing ERP and MES platforms, Tietoevry aims to give production staff faster access to operational insight and improve plant performance.

Early pilot deployments at several European mills have shown shorter troubleshooting times and faster operator training, according to people involved in the projects. The company has not released detailed performance figures. Rollouts in the US market are still at an early stage, though interest is growing as mills face labour shortages and pressure to raise productivity.

“This is about empowering operators to act confidently, regardless of their experience,” said Mika Manner, Head of Industrial Software at Tietoevry. “It represents a new level of usability and insight for industrial systems.”

Tietoevry said the software is designed to integrate with both modern and legacy systems, allowing mills to adopt the technology without major upgrades to existing infrastructure.

Operators involved in pilot projects say the system can also improve shift handovers and knowledge transfer between staff, areas where manufacturing sites often face operational gaps.

Industry analysts view AI tools integrated into ERP and MES platforms as an early step towards more adaptive manufacturing environments. As mills seek to modernise operations while maintaining continuous production, digital tools that support real-time decision making are likely to become more widely adopted.