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factory equipment online via IoT sensors and edge , manufacturers can monitor a machine ’ s ‘ vital signs ’ in real time , using AI to predict potential failures . With AI systems informing operators of potential issues , manufacturers can move to predictive or even prescriptive maintenance , where machines are repaired long before they fail . This not only improves the efficiency of the factory , but extends the life of machines .
Connecting to the wider world
Edge computing can also be a key driver for digital transformation within manufacturing organizations , connecting the parts of the business inside and outside factory walls . By connecting factory IT or operational technologies ( OT ) to the broader business , leaders can break down data silos , reaping valuable insights and uniting the workforce . Many manufacturing professionals are now realizing that to be competitive , they must fully integrate technology into their business , and edge computing is the first step in that process .
Edge IoT and AI help manufacturers to integrate , consolidate and digitalize their manufacturing operation , thanks to the data they hold . This has value beyond the factory itself , enabling managers to truly understand their processes for the first time , while also transforming the business by improving quality control , safeguarding workers and detecting anomalies . Connecting the smart factory to other areas such as supply chain , procurement and research and
... digital twins of factories will enable managers and engineers to simulate different scenarios and outcomes without suspending production development , helps business leaders uncover new perspectives and ideas . As factories move towards being more connected , digital twins of factories ( virtual versions displaying data from sensors in real time ) will enable managers and engineers to simulate different scenarios and outcomes without suspending production .
In logistics , using edge computing within warehouses can enable leaders to move away from managing hardware and software , freeing up employees to work on higherpriority tasks and bigger business priorities . Recently we ’ ve seen global tech startups use servers to transmit data to and from hundreds of robots across warehouses . Edge servers mean that robots can work safely and efficiently , meaning that logistics companies can deliver faster for customers .
Redefining manufacturing
Over the longer term , edge computing , IoT and AI could enable the manufacturing industry to change the way it works entirely . ‘ Smart factories ’ can enable leaders in the manufacturing sector to test out new business models in how to approach manufacturing . One of the more radical ideas is manufacturing-as-a-service . Similarly to how many cloud-based software platforms are used today , businesses could pay for manufacturing time in lean , connected factories powered by edge computing and IoT sensors on an on-demand basis , which can create different products month by month .
This approach could radically disrupt the entire sector , drastically lowering the bar for companies hoping to make and sell products , reducing set-up times and fostering new ways of working for manufacturing businesses . The process of taking a product from the concept to a reality will become far faster , and this ability to outsource production at speed might one day also enable new ways to buy , with customers able to order bespoke products , or even designing their own .
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