PEER Group, a leading supplier of factory automation software based in Canada, has been driving innovation in the semiconductor industry, one of the world's most complex industries, for more than three decades. In an exclusive interview with TechSoda, Doug Suerich, Director of Marketing for PEER Group, outlined the company's pivotal role in semiconductor smart manufacturing and its new focus on cybersecurity at SEMICON Taiwan 2025.
The Vision of Smart Manufacturing
Founded in 1992 by engineers Mike Kropp and Bob Harris, PEER Group's vision was to integrate information and automation in advanced manufacturing. The co-founders foresaw a future where factories would need to leverage vast amounts of data to achieve efficiency and precision.
PEER Group’s business is split evenly between serving factories and equipment manufacturers. Its specialty lies in the communication protocols and software that automate tools and ensure compliance with SEMI Standards like SECS/GEM, GEM300, and EDA communications. The company’s software runs at both the factory level, collecting data and adjusting parameters, and on the equipment itself, automating the tools. Initially serving multiple sectors like automotive and medical, the company has since narrowed its focus to the semiconductor industry, a field widely considered "the most complex industry on Earth" and one in dire need of its "smart manufacturing" technologies.
The Critical Role of Data Quality
In a field where factories achieve high yields of 90-95%, the challenge lies in identifying the minuscule 1% problems. Suerich emphasized that the sheer volume of data—millions of data points from thousands of tools—requires not only high quality but also precise synchronization and contextualization. Without accurate and trustworthy data, it's impossible to find these rare issues. Suerich explains that PEER Group specializes in collecting, classifying, and contextualizing data from multiple sources, ensuring manufacturers can trust the information they are using to identify and solve problems.
AI as a Solution to the Talent Crunch
Addressing the industry's looming talent crunch, Suerich revealed that PEER Group's customers are already using artificial intelligence and machine learning to capture the knowledge of retiring experts. These AI systems are being applied in three key areas:
Fault Detection: Identifying and classifying errors in real-time.
Equipment Uptime: Optimizing maintenance schedules and preventing downtime.
Recipe Tuning: Adjusting manufacturing parameters in real-time as tools wear out, without the need for a human expert.
Suerich noted that while AI is powerful, it is most effective when combined with the expertise of human subject matter experts. PEER Group’s role is to provide high-quality data and automation software that allows these AI algorithms to function and implement changes on the factory floor.
Leading the Charge on Cybersecurity
A major focus for PEER Group at SEMICON Taiwan is the promotion of cybersecurity standards. The company is a member of the Governing Council of the SEMI Semiconductor Manufacturing Cybersecurity Consortium (SMCC), alongside industry giants like TSMC, Intel, ASML, and Applied Materials. This consortium was formed at the request of large factories that realized the biggest cybersecurity threats were not internal, but originated from vulnerabilities within the supply chain.
The SEMI E187 Standard, released in 2022, establishes a security baseline for new equipment shipped to factories. It specifically applies to computing devices on fab equipment that run Microsoft Windows or Linux and is becoming an increasingly common part of factory acceptance requirements. To address this, PEER Group has launched the new PEER E187 Compliance Assessment service. This service provides original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with training, assessment, and guidance to help their tools comply with the SEMI E187 Standard. Suerich stressed that cybersecurity is not a one-time fix but a continuous process, and the new service is designed to help companies advance faster.
Looking Ahead
With two pavilions at SEMICON Taiwan this year, PEER Group is poised for significant exposure. The company aims to engage in conversations with new equipment manufacturers, potential partners with strong AI algorithms, and companies grappling with cybersecurity challenges. Its presence underscores its commitment to the Taiwan market and its leadership in driving the semiconductor industry toward a smarter, more secure future.