Five technology trends that look likely to define the manufacturing sector in the year ahead have been identified by asset maintenance “software as a service” specialist SSG Insight.
The trends emerged from research carried out with Sheffield Hallam University for a recent white paper entitled Harnessing Brexit, Technology and Insight: British Manufacturers, a Competitive Edge in an Age of Uncertainty and Opportunity.
The company says that new technology can be used to digitally transform the industry and boost productivity, but warns that businesses should make sure investment decisions reflect their competitive strategies.
The following five trends are predicted to define intelligent manufacturing over the next 12 months:
1: 5G is coming
Many believe that the next generation of mobile networks will be a key enabler of industry 4.0 in the manufacturing sector – from improving data management to allowing greater collaboration between suppliers and end users. 5G networks will give manufacturers the chance to build smart factories with real time connectivity.
2: Increasing automation
Greater levels of automation are thought essential for manufacturers to remain competitive and meet demands for manufactured goods. SSG Insight research indicates that a third of the UK’s leading manufacturing executives expect automation to take over British manufacturing in the next three years.
3: Intelligent manufacturing
Over the next 12 months, connected systems that exploit the cloud, IoT, artificial intelligence and machine learning will provide instant intelligence and play a crucial role in making UK manufacturing smarter and more agile. Research found that 93% of manufacturers in Britain are already using live data and automation technology in some capacity, while nearly a third predict that technology which analyses big data will play a greater role in their business over the next three years.
4: Adapting to an evolving workforce
Training staff to equip them with the skills to excel in an increasingly digital environment is considered crucial in the sector. Directors must develop the skills of their staff to plan, educate, explain and execute the digital transformation of their businesses.
5: The growth of e-learning
Developing digital skills among the workforce can be supported with the use of augmented and virtual reality technologies to improve training programmes. These technologies allow employees to learn much of what they need to know without stepping foot on the factory floor.
The full report can be downloaded at www.ssginsight.com/resources/harnessing-technology-and-insight/