Topical Roundup: March 2025

Summary

This month Automation.com published 2024’s Automation Professional Salary Survey, several interesting features about how AI can be applied in predictive maintenance and news from the recent ARC Forum. Head over to Automation.com to subscribe to a newsletter so you never miss a thing.

IIoT & digital transformation

How Generative AI Is Shaping the Manufacturing Supply Chains of the Future While traditional AI primarily focuses on making predictions and optimizing processes based on patterns in historical data, Generative AI goes a step further. It can also create new data and insights by analyzing vast amounts of structured and unstructured data, leading to creative and innovative solutions.

From Stuck in the Past to Industry 5.0: Why Your Factory Needs to Modernize
Industry 5.0 emphasizes collaboration between humans and machines. However, many U.S. factories are still operating with decades-old systems that can no longer keep up with the demands of modern industry. To expedite the process of upgrading to Industry 5.0, try implementing pilot projects, upskilling your workforce and adopting smart data practices.

Factory automation & control

Developing Robotics Solutions: Partnering for Success in Micro-motion Control
Not only does motion design require an assessment of the technology that can solve the challenge most efficiently, but it must also satisfy the commercial needs of the OEM. Relying on motion control experts who offer diverse, application-specific solutions will help robot developers achieve the optimum path for motion development. Ideally, this relationship between robot OEM and motion developer should start as early as possible.

The Value of Multivendor Software-Defined Automation
Software-defined automation, the practice of allowing software to be separated from the hardware on which it is running, enhances agility, efficiency and workforce empowerment. This approach also allows multivendor or vendor-agnostic solutions that are interoperable and portable.

Industrial cybersecurity & safety

Challenges of Deploying AI for Industrial Workplace Safety
Implementing AI technologies to enhance workplace safety in industrial environments holds immense potential, but businesses must navigate several challenges to deploy and integrate these systems successfully. Businesses can successfully integrate AI into their safety protocols by addressing issues related to data quality, system integration, workforce resistance and more.

The Cybersecurity Threat Lurking in Your Operational Efficiency Efforts: Remote Access Vulnerabilities
While the ability log in and work remotely benefits manufacturers by saving time and money, it also opens the doors for cybersecurity threats. Here are four best practices manufacturing firms can follow to capitalize on the benefits of remote access without exposing the company to cyber risk.

Enterprise architecture & networks

Driving Efficiency Gains: The Value of IIoT and Connected Applications
Leveraging real-time data and advanced analytics will help manufacturers optimize processes, enhance operational efficiency, reduce downtime and provide end-to-end visibility in the supply chain. As the industry continues to evolve, those who embrace IIoT will be well positioned to lead in the era of smart manufacturing, driving innovation and excellence in their operations.

Network Automation Has Been Elusive; What’s Holding Us Back?
The networking industry remains stuck at approximately 30% automation, despite massive effort. The real challenge is reliability. We need to eradicate human error. Predictable automation is key. Incorporate features like revision control, pre- and post-checks, digital twin and network-wide transactions.

Operations & management

2024 Salary Survey: Engineering Management Retains Highest Average Salary for Automation Professionals
Automation.com conducted its annual Automation Professional Salary Survey and asked participants questions about their income in 2023 and how it changed in 2024. Results are compared by geographic region, job function, industry, years of experience and professional certification.

Sustainable Manufacturing: A Practical Approach to Responsible and Efficiency Production
Achieving sustainability can help the entire supply chain—from suppliers to manufacturers to end users—collectively meet financial, environmental and social responsibilities. Let's discuss practical strategies for manufacturers to achieve sustainability, starting with their own production and extending to their end users.

Product updates

Schneider Electric’s SCADAPack Smart Remote Terminal Unit Enhances Security of OT in Critical Infrastructure
“We can see the growing vulnerability of critical infrastructure like water and wastewater systems and energy pipelines to cyberattacks,” said James Redmond, Schneider Electric’s global offer manager for SCADAPack. Schneider Electric has announced new OT cybersecurity functionality for SCADAPack 470i and 474i. Critical infrastructure customers can now securely manage RTU access in harsh environments.

Yokogawa Enhances IT/OT Integration with New Release of OpreX Collaborative Information Server
Plants incorporate a wide range of equipment and devices, and it is essential to have the capability to swiftly detect and address any abnormalities in normal operations and utilize the data held by other systems and devices to increase maintenance efficiency. Yokogawa Electric Corporation has released the latest version of OpreX Collaborative Information Server, a product in the OpreX Control and Safety System family, with enhancements that streamline application assembly and improve external connectivity.

_{This update originally appeared in the March 2025 issue of Automation.com Monthly.}