This paper presents background on shop floor productivity and how quality can be improved with real-time machine monitoring, which can detect tooling and process issues prior to equipment failure or scrapped parts. Data can be collected on a variety of operating conditions – static and dynamic force, vibration, power, temperature, etc., -- from sensors within the machine. From this data, the systems learn the normal limits of the process. Real-life automotive case histories are included along with tool life increases and cost savings obtained through implementation of a machine monitoring strategy.