With the increasing need for real-time data insights to serve the rising implementation of IT, Operational Technology (OT), and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, alongside the development of smart cities, the manufacturing industry has seen huge digital transformation and adoption within recent years.
This digital boom does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon, with recent projections from Allied Market Research anticipating a global market size of smart, connected devices within the manufacturing industry at a breathtaking figure of $1,495.65bn by 2030.
There is one fundamental, critical component to all this progress and transformation in smart manufacturing, which includes implementing OT: a smart network infrastructure with excellent connectivity.
This is no longer an issue faced alone by the IT department as a ‘nice-to-have’ perk, but an intrinsic building block of the success of any company within the manufacturing industry.
Laying a strong foundation
For the industry to transform to smart manufacturing, it needs to digitise operations with OT and therefore, robust connectivity is of the utmost importance. The instant accessibility of real-time data and the insights they provide are invaluable, enabling the improvement of current services and helping you to streamline your operations. Implementing a smart, agile network infrastructure is not a quick process, but a long-term investment in the future longevity and success of your organisation’s transformation to smart manufacturing.
The first step, as with any manufacturing process, is to build a strong smart network infrastructure foundation, and embed the potential to maximise productivity.
Unlocking the potential of real-time data insights
The possible benefits of real-time data and insights are seemingly limitless. Being able to provide a constant, consistent flow of information from machinery to devices and people has, and can continue to, completely transform workflows and processes.
Not only can smart manufacturing and the introduction of OT provide immense cost and resource savings, the ongoing condition and lifetime of machinery can also be drastically improved. The data collected can allow for predictive maintenance and proactive, preventative working practices. However, due to the sheer volume of data, success involves reliable, smooth data transfer between end points.
The answer to achieving this success lies in building a smart network infrastructure, with application-driven automated traffic steering. By continuously and automatically probing all internet destination networks and having an optimisation engine, you’ll always be using the best route with changes made in real time.
Visibility within the supply chain
Accounting for, and anticipating every potential obstacle or opportunity within any organisation’s supply chain, is becoming more and more challenging. This problem is only compounded by the various global shortages of resources, especially virgin materials. And these shortages are set to get worse with each year.
With a smart network infrastructure with high-quality connectivity, this burden can be alleviated in a variety of ways. For example, excellent connectivity within a smart network infrastructure provides the ability to track and locate individual components and raw materials, enabling greater visibility within the supply chain and empowering teams to tackle problems as they arise.
The ability to anticipate potential problems ultimately saves time and money, and enables manufacturers to improve accuracy within their planning and production quotas.
But, this is only possible with an agile network infrastructure paired with the correct bandwidth. A reliable, 24/7 monitoring system will only be as effective as the IT infrastructure that sustains it: it needs to be underpinned by high-quality connectivity to ensure smooth data transfer and instant real-time data.
Protecting the production pipeline
A key consideration alongside this rapid rise of the digitisation of operations needs to be cybersecurity. Without an effective, solid cybersecurity solution your organisation is vulnerable to malicious threat actors, and other types of cybercriminals.
In this new digital frontier, with the increase of OT and IoT devices, and the development of smart cities, the manufacturing industry has never been more important. Cybersecurity needs to not only be embedded within any network infrastructure from its initial conception but also enveloped into the network’s daily monitoring operations.
This requires close collaboration from both IT and OT teams, who need to develop and implement a strategic, security-focused approach, eradicating digital blindspots and potential vulnerabilities as they occur, boosting industrial productivity.
Smart network infrastructure needs to use strong encryptions to protect traffic, robust virtual firewalls, and centralised control to safeguard organisations from long-lasting, financial and reputational damage.
Creating your smart network infrastructure
It’s clear to see that smart network connectivity is the lynchpin for future success within the manufacturing industry and the key to unlock the true potential of smart manufacturing. Innovation never stops, and an efficient IT infrastructure tailored to your organisation’s needs creates a solid foundation to stand on while navigating a digital-first landscape.
Before embarking on creating, or improving your existing network infrastructure, it’s essential to fully investigate and ascertain the needs of your organisation. Choosing the right network connectivity partner will help propel your organisation to better productivity and provide an overall smoother customer and employee experience.
Michelle Parreno - Solutions Engineer, Expereo
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