Industry 4.0 is the next step in the evolution of technology in industry. In the last century, manufacturing technology progressed from Henry Ford’s assembly line to computerization — taking physical data and digitizing it. Then automation was introduced, and now, with Industry 4.0, value is being added through artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems and analytics. Smart manufacturing employs these technologies to drive greater efficiency and productivity in manufacturing across industries. The backbone of this digital transformation consists of industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems that instruct, manage and monitor machines, equipment, processes and supply chains.

Today, sensors, machine-to-machine communications, AI, machine learning, augmented reality and sophisticated analytics drive improvements across the industrial value chain through real-time operational data and insights in a smart manufacturing environment. Combining these technologies requires data orchestration — the capture, transformation and delivery of relevant data — into each of these processes.

The level and quality of this orchestration within the industrial IoT (IIoT) ecosystem is a critical component in a manufacturer’s ability to improve operational processes, boost production, drive greater efficiency and take advantage of new service opportunities.

IoT Applications for Smart Factory

IIoT deployments based on robust and fit-for-purpose data orchestration solutions can help manufacturers overcome the smart factory’s key challenges.

IT and OT Integration

Boost your productivity with automation, robotics, and augmented and virtual reality, all enabled by data orchestration and networking. IIoT platforms integrate traditional IT functions with those of operational technology (OT) to transform factory floor operations. These platforms integrate legacy machines and sensors into IT systems and introduce edge intelligence, a critical ingredient of IIoT success. 5G accelerates this transformation by eliminating cabling and enabling ultra-reliable, mission-critical wireless communications for IIoT use cases and applications that require minimal latency and real-time communication.

Process Optimization

Improve factory operations to get the greatest return on investment. Smart factories create efficiencies and new capabilities that help manufacturers improve productivity, reduce costs and identify new revenue opportunities. With real-time overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) visualization tools that offer data collection and transformation, you can have full visibility into your factory’s efficiency.

Predictive Maintenance and Condition Monitoring

Monitor the condition and performance of connected machines and assets to improve asset availability and performance. Sensors on factory equipment transmit critical data regarding equipment health and utilization. This feedback helps manufacturers maximize equipment uptime, avoid operational disruptions, improve maintenance efficiency, reduce costs and boost productivity.

Supply Chain and Warehouse Management

Optimize production and avoid costly disruptions with real-time visibility throughout the value chain. Supply chain management requires end-to-end visibility of raw materials and finished goods at all production and delivery stages to be effective. IIoT solutions for supply chain management enable production managers and suppliers to adapt quickly to changes that affect availability, fine-tune warehousing, better manage assets and inventory to meet demand, and monitor the status of raw materials and goods in transit.

Improved Quality Control

When it comes to the smart factory, manufacturers large and small need solutions that provide vertical and horizontal integration, making it easier to connect the factory to inbound and outbound supply chains. Telit IIoT data orchestration, device management and enterprise system integration solutions are perfectly suited to all manufacturing verticals, including automotive, pharmaceuticals, machinery, oil and gas, electrical power generation, water, and more.

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