FANUC to Accelerate the Utilization of Shop Floor Manufacturing Data with Microsoft Copilot
Promoting Integrated Use of Shop Floor Data and Business Data through FIELD system Basic Package (FsBP) and Microsoft Copilot
October 22, 2026
FANUC CORPORATION
FANUC CORPORATION is pleased to announce the launch of an initiative targeting the creation of a new AI-driven data utilization environment which combines manufacturing site data acquired through the FIELD system Basic Package (FsBP) with various business data gathered throughout the company, leveraging Microsoft's cloud and AI services, specifically Microsoft Copilot.
In recent years, as the use of IoT and AI for improvement has increasingly become widespread in the manufacturing industry, expectations are rising for utilizing business data from within the organization alongside shop floor data collected from equipment for decision-making. Such business data include meeting materials, emails, maintenance records, and improvement activity reports. By consolidating and utilizing these data sources through Microsoft's cloud and AI services, FANUC aims to create an environment where every worker on the shop floor can access required information and expertise effortlessly.
FsBP, a product of FANUC, is an IoT platform that enables users to gather data from equipment such as machine tools and robots, to visualize on-site status and support continuous improvement activities. In addition, through collaboration with machine tool builders that are customers of FANUC CNC systems, FANUC is advancing the utilization of shop floor data that has higher added value, including production performance data, quality information, tool life data, and process information.
Under this initiative, FANUC will combine shop floor data collected by users through FsBP with business data stored in Microsoft 365, and apply Microsoft Copilot to enable users to access shop floor and business information through natural language interactions.
To make this initiative a reality, FANUC is leveraging the products, technologies, and cloud and AI expertise of Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd., namely Microsoft Copilot, to develop specific use cases and architectures. As part of this effort, FANUC is exploring a scheme which uses Microsoft 365 Work IQ to combine business data, such as past communications and documents accumulated within the Microsoft 365 environment, with equipment and control data collected by FsBP, so that AI agents can handle deeper context and become more intelligent in supporting business operations. Through the provision of products, technologies, and specialized expertise, Microsoft Japan will support FANUC to implement this initiative in the real world.
- Monitoring factory and equipment operating status
- Searching maintenance histories and responses to equipment anomaly
- Reviewing improvement activities
- Referencing past troubleshooting cases
- Creating meeting materials and reports
- Sharing and utilizing shop floor know-how
By being involved in these activities, Microsoft Copilot will speed up decision-making.
As a result, everyone from shop floor personnel and production engineering teams to plant managers and executives will be able to make decisions based on the same data, raising the usage of shop floor data to an even higher level.
FANUC will continue to promote the utilization of both shop floor data and business data through FsBP and Microsoft Copilot, and shall strive to improve productivity, address labor shortages, streamline knowledge transfer, and advance digital transformation (DX) in the manufacturing industry.
Comment from Mr. Nobuyoshi Yokoi, General Manager, Industrial & Manufacturing Group, Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd.
We sincerely welcome FANUC's initiative to apply AI to create a new approach to data utilization, by merging manufacturing site data gathered by users through the FIELD system Basic Package (FsBP) with a wide range of business data within the company.
I believe that in the manufacturing industry, combining abundant shop floor data with AI so that every worker can capitalize on necessary information and expertise naturally is an important initiative. Not only will productivity improve, but the transfer of skills and know-how will be facilitated, and decision-making will become faster.
Microsoft Japan will support FANUC's initiative through Microsoft's cloud and AI technologies and contribute to AI Transformation, as well as the creation of new value across Japan's manufacturing industry.
Left to right: Hiroshi Noda, Executive Managing Officer, General Manager, FA Research & Development Division, FANUC CORPORATION
Nobuyoshi Yokoi, General Manager, Industrial & Manufacturing Group, Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd.
About FIELD system Basic Package (FsBP)
The FIELD system Basic Package (FsBP) is a data platform that collects data from machine tools, robots and other equipment, facilitating the visualization of production sites and supporting continuous productivity improvements. Data can be gathered from not only FANUC products, but also a wide range of third-party machines and devices, enabling effective use of data across the entire factory.
Microsoft and Microsoft 365 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Microsoft 365 is the name of a service provided by Microsoft Corporation.