4 Key Benefits the Manufacturing Industry Will Reap From Smart Factory Integration

In order to fast track to a smarter future, manufacturers adopt smart technologies to improve efficiencies within their factories to reimagine product development to fast-track to a smarter future. Shifting toward digital technologies comes with a long list of positives for manufacturing companies. For instance, they have the ability to mass-produce more goods at a lower cost (and do so with fewer defects), as well as catching maintenance issues before they arise. To put it simply: smart factories drastically increase quality, output, and consistency. And that’s just a few of the immediate benefits.

According to a recent report, the shift toward smart factory technologies will likely result in threefold productivity improvements in the manufacturing sector over the next decade. To say smart factories are the future of manufacturing–Let’s take a look at the following four benefits a manufacturer will reap when applying IIoT to their business:

Accelerated Innovation

Many workers spend time entering or tabulating data. Automating simple, repetitive tasks can help them focus on priorities and complete projects faster—with fewer people involved. This streamlining effect allows companies to innovate more quickly without the need to make additional investments.‍

Predictive Maintenance

IIoT sensors installed on factory floor machinery monitor what’s happening around the machine and what’s going on inside it. This data predicts when the machine will need maintenance attention and alert workers to a problem before it’s obvious. Proactive maintenance efforts can greatly reduce downtime, saving the manufacturing company both time and money.‍

Enhanced Data Management

More data is collected now than ever before—and smart factories are part of that data revolution. Between IoT sensors, robotics, and machine learning, data flow from the edge to the cloud is massive. Digital data collection means factories can optimize their data flow, giving them the ability to manage and analyze information in real-time and use it to make better decisions.‍

Cost Savings

Because smart factories connect enterprise systems with operational technology (OT), they offer a better view of productivity and forecasting. They can more easily track deliveries and inventory levels, using that insight to identify waste and optimize supply chains. Beyond the IT/OT connection, improved efficiencies across smart factories yield additional cost savings.‍

Without a doubt, smart factory adoption will be an inevitability for the future of manufacturing. Along with other IIoT technologies, they will bring the potential for more efficient and precise manufacturing than ever before. With most things in life, some risks and challenges accompany innovative leaps of this kind. With most things in life, there are risks and challenges that accompany innovative leaps of this kind. Are you interested in learning more about the full scale of smart factory integration?