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How edge computing can revolutionize manufacturing

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3 minute read 29 May 2024

Companies are turning to the emerging, transformative technology to accelerate critical, data-driven business decision-making.

In brief
  • Edge computing is helping reduce costs and streamline operations for businesses in advanced manufacturing.
  • The technology, an evolution of cloud computing, enables near-instantaneous insights into production. 
  • This is empowering manufacturers to automate data collection, boost operator production and monitor the shop floor in real time. 

The transformative impact of edge computing in advanced manufacturing

In the high-stakes, fast-paced world of advanced manufacturing, companies are up against unprecedented business challenges.

Many manufacturers are investing in digital transformation initiatives but struggle to deliver innovation at scale to achieve the expected ROI. The race to cut costs and streamline operations is too much to handle under traditional manufacturing models.

It may seem like these complexities are set to outpace manufacturers’ ability to keep up, but one emerging and transformative technology is poised to revolutionize the factory floor — edge computing.

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Evolution of the cloud

Edge technology is empowering business leaders to make near-instantaneous, data-driven decisions right where the data is generated. As an evolution of traditional cloud computing, edge computing eliminates the fear of network issues, and addresses the latency problems typically associated with the cloud by moving computing power to the point of production, closer to users, devices and data sources — enabling much faster, in-depth and complex data processing.

 

This ability to pave the way for near-real-time insights into production issues, predictive maintenance and quicker customization of production has made edge computing a top C-suite priority in advanced manufacturing and beyond. The technology also can propel the success of strategic business objectives and fuel innovation.

 

Edge technology transforms organizations with intelligent capabilities that enhance the reliability, security and speed of critical decision-making. That’s why it is becoming a key part of organizations’ efforts to drive business growth, operate more efficiently and outpace the competition. It’s this edge that could make the difference between leading the pack and struggling to catch up.

 

The edge advantage

Advanced manufacturing companies are looking to edge technology to address many challenges: a reliance on manual effort that leads to delayed responses to lagging production, errors in production reporting, difficulty monitoring shop floor productivity, and problems gathering data reliably due to variations in shop floor systems and equipment.

 

Implementing edge technology is also helping manufacturers:

  • Cut costs through variance control and saved workforce hours
  • Automate data collection to increase equipment productivity
  • Eliminate the need for supervisors to manually collect production results
  • Gain transparency into production lags so supervisors can proactively take corrective action
  • Reduce the potential for mistakes in recording production values
  • Drive real-time shop floor monitoring and visibility
  • Automate equipment data collection and keep “time lost” records for problem solving and analytics

Edge solutions are also applicable outside the realm of advanced manufacturing. The technology is currently being used to transform companies in sectors such as automotive, oil and gas, health care, and telecommunications.

 

Edge computing can bring the secure and connected data management that businesses need to build a strong foundation for generative AI (GenAI) capabilities. A strong edge platform helps companies put intelligence at their core, allowing them to harness GenAI models to further boost efficiency and drive topline growth.

 

Equipped with this cutting-edge technology, organizations aren’t just keeping pace in this fast-moving era; they are setting the pace for others.

Summary 

Edge computing is transforming advanced manufacturing by empowering companies to make data-driven decisions more rapidly where the data originates. As an evolution of cloud computing, it reduces latency by processing data closer to its source, enabling near-real-time production insights as well as predictive maintenance. Edge technology is helping manufacturers streamline operations and cut costs while enhancing factory floor productivity and transparency. It’s also helping drive business growth, operational efficiency and competitive advantage in other sectors, including automotive and health care.

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Advanced Manufacturing

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