The manufacturing industry is at a tipping point providing the opportunity to pull ahead of competitors with digital transformation enabled by many ideas and technologies. Digital transformation is a way for manufacturers to overcome labor shortages driven by demographics and be responsive to changing customer requirements. As industry rolls forward through the economic disruption that still plagues supply chains and the technology changes that support innovation, digital transformation continues. This is my seventh annual trends report, and what is evident from my ongoing coverage is that certain organizations are able to change and grow, while others remain stagnant, often hesitant to take up some of the most forward-looking concepts.
Progressive automation industry experts understand that new technologies as well as proven tools and techniques are being applied to improve the productivity, profitability, and competitiveness of manufacturers. Experienced industrial automation veterans are collaborating with younger professionals who understand open systems, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and computing industry technologies, which leads to creating highly effective solutions at manufacturing organizations. The foundations of manufacturing and production are being reshaped by the integration of manufacturing/production into the entire business system.
A digital manufacturing architecture offers a streamlined approach to enterprise-wide clarity that allows stakeholders to adjust operations based on real-time insights—in other words, it offers data transparency, which increases reliability, quality, production, profitability, safety, flexibility, and informed decision-making. Real-time digital manufacturing is about becoming a more effective, holistic, competitive—and growing—business. Organizations are driving forward to provide roadmaps, models, and standards for manufacturing digitalization. Open standards are essential for effective manufacturing business digitalization, which is evident in the information technology (IT) and commercial computing industry.
The influence of IT, IIoT, and the computing industry is leading to a great deal of collaboration among these groups. These are the trends I see shaping industrial automation. Supplementing my insights in this year’s report are other views on essential topics you should focus on as this year rolls into the next. As always, I invite you to share your thoughts, criticisms, and perspectives as well. -Bill Lydon
