Connecting the information 'gap' between production level machines and processes with the management level is the goal of many manufacturing companies. Why? Because achieving this kind of visibility of key production data enables managers to make better, more informed decisions at the right times, in response to fast-changing conditions out on the shop floor and from customers. In this article, we look at how Ethernet converter devices are helping to solve production planning and data visualisation problems for one of Europe's largest tobacco manufacturers.