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The manufacturing industry is on the
cusp of a 4th wave of transformation
that holds the promise of a step
change in productivity. Industrial IoT
business models are being defined
with increased flexibility, cooperative
human-machine interaction and the
use of data analytics to discern trends
and dynamic system relationships
previously hidden or inaccessible.
Advances in Industrial Automation
technology realizes the ambition of
Industrial IoT and promises great
opportunities for manufacturers
to compete in the global economy
through increased productivity,
safety,
and
reliability
while
reducing emissions. In fact, the
manufacturing sector represents
the most significant and largest
Industrial IoT opportunity today. It is
estimated that over the next 10 years
IoT & the Digital Transformation is
currently estimated at ~$20 Trillion
of which Manufacturing represents
the largest at ~$6.5T. Unsurprisingly,
Automation equipment makers are
trying to capture more value with
additional IIoT related software and
services.
While the opportunity is attractive,
there are significant headwinds. For
example, adoption of new technology
in this traditionally conservative
moving industry can be slow.
Automation plants today are often a
mix of newer and legacy systems with
the associated complexity in inter-
system communications. Capturing
and communicating data securely
from the edge of the network remains
largely out of reach with the existing
infrastructure. In short, factories and
process plants will not transform
overnight and a transition is required.
To enable and accelerate this
transition, Automation vendors
are turning to technology partners
and suppliers like Analog Devices
to provide more system domain
expertise and solutions.
The transition required
for the Connected
Enterprise and in
particular, Ethernet and
Security
Industrial Ethernet is already
widely used in control applications
and continues to expand as the
preferred communication medium as
industries transition towards greater
connectivity and the realization of the
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
Many Industrial protocols solve
the problem of determinism over
Ethernet using proprietary layer 2
solutions which can cause significant
interoperability
issues
when
Industry in Transition: Enabling the Trusted
Digital Enterprise
Kevin Carlin, Analog Devices
20 l New-Tech Magazine Europe