________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The cutting
How edge computing can reshape the manufacturing sector .
By Anthony Sayers
Edge computing is powering a new kind of factory , where intelligent cameras oversee production lines and robots work safely alongside humans . Driven by Internet of Things ( IoT ) sensors attached to machines on the factory floor , edge computing is enabling manufacturers to cut repair costs , respond rapidly to problems and keep workers safe . For many manufacturing businesses , this is also enabling better , faster decision making inside the factory and out . But it also holds the potential to completely transform manufacturing in the longer term , changing the way the world makes and consumes products .
Edge computing is crucial to managing industrial data , because edge moves the compute into the plant itself , allowing for rapid response where the data is generated . For example , a manufacturer might move compute into cameras overseeing the production line , robotics or the factory floor , or directly into the Programmable Logic Controllers ( PLC ) which monitor machines .
Better decisions , faster
Bringing the compute closer to the data has several key advantages , from enabling faster decisions to bringing the business together . The first is the speed of response . An IoT sensor on a production line should not need to send data to the cloud and back again to alert people something is wrong . Edge enables real-time decision-making , and paves the way for smarter work , including agile manufacturing , where manufacturers can scale production up and down rapidly in response to demand .
This also makes it easier for manufacturers to avoid expensive downtime by repairing machines before they break . By bringing
18