Industry experts agree that the foundation of Industrial Ethernet solutions for factory automation remains laser-focused on smart connected machines, edge and cloud-based computing, the potential impact of AI technology and new products and tools that simplify the ongoing quest for IT-OT integration.

As digital transformation accelerates, factories face both opportunities and challenges. New technologies are key to increased efficiency, but implementing these technologies can be complex and requires thoughtful execution. Explore how digital factory implementations can help realize manufacturing plant efficiencies.

Point Energy Partners has replaced outdated controls with an IIoT Edge Solution that is preventing spills and improving efficiency using Opto 22’s groov RIO. Automating water level monitoring and pump operation has not only made the jobs of field operators easier, but has also resulted in significant cost savings.

By leveraging machine and production data, companies can leverage smart manufacturing solutions to optimize business operations, forecast parts usage, assess supplier quality, and adopt preventive maintenance, thereby improving efficiency and maintaining market competitiveness.

The adoption of IEC-62443 is set to play a crucial role in enabling digital manufacturing and will have a significant impact on the realization of Industrial IoT, leading to improvements in quality, output, and reduced downtimes.

Industrial Edge and cloud computing technologies provide scalable, flexible computing resources for storing, analyzing, and visualizing the vast amounts of data industrial systems generate, and increasingly deal with cybersecurity threats. Industry experts provide their perspective on what lies ahead for industrial applications.

Software and IT innovation are the primary drivers for manufacturing investment. Solution architectures are expected to consolidate around specific standards, with architectural blueprints and best practices addressing end-user needs. Edge computing will also show accelerated deployment within manufacturing.

Benefits at multiple levels can be obtained by centralizing the collection of accurate data directly from production systems, its transmission, and subsequent processing. Digitalization helps to integrate enterprise-wide operations, optimize the manufacturing process, and facilitate the work of operators, maintenance staff, planners, programmers, quality assurance officers, and management.

Edge software platforms can be a critical enabler of data-driven automation solutions. They abstract Operations Technology (OT) systems and provide the required interoperability across edge and IT/cloud processes within a smart factory.

Augmented reality provides a multiplier effect for improving the efficiency and quality of production and inspection processes. The industrial sector can gain effectiveness and efficiency while reducing errors and the additional costs generated, but it does not stop there.