A Peek Into Smart Manufacturing

Smart manufacturing relies on technological adaptability, highly skilled workers and computer integrated solutions to monitor the production process.

Modern manufacturers analyze the latest trends in data through smart manufacturing to spot steps in the production process where there is a slow down or inefficient use of materials. 

As smart manufacturing becomes more common and more machines become networked via the internet of things (IoT), there are numerous advanced technologies that are helping machines communicate with each other, potentially supporting greater levels of automation.

Indeed, in addition to the internet of things, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, edge computing, predictive analytics and digital twins are powering smart manufacturing.

My week has been taken to a new height after getting first hand immersive smart manufacturing experience at Hannover Messe and meeting the best movers and shakers in manufacturing. 

Here are some fun facts about IMTS, Hannover Messe and McCormick Place:

• There are 120,000 attendees, with 313 exhibitors. 

• Chicago McCormick Place is the largest conference center in the Americas with four connected buildings.

• I packed in 46,000 steps within 3 days and reached my weekly fitness goal.

• According to Deloitte. women represent 47% of total labor, only 29% are in manufacturing. I was pleased to meet many bright minds at the Women Make Manufacturing Move event.

• IMTS displayed the first 3D printed car in 2014. They had another IMTS car on display. I am not sure if it is 3D printed. 

 My favorite events and sessions are:

• Women Make Manufacturing Move lunch was an unforgettable experience. When I started my career at an Oil and Gas company (refinery) and later joined a tractor company, there were barely any women. This week it was inspiring to be surrounded by a room full of remarkable women in manufacturing technology. I am so proud of being part of this evolution.

• MxD tour. MxD means “manufacturing times digital”. In a space about twice the size of a football field, nearly 300 partners are advancing the future of U.S. manufacturing. MxD is a testbed for digital manufacturing technology, the development of new products, data analysis and plenty of “what if” scenarios. Gillen Young illustrated the power of 5G and how AT&T is accelerating connected digital manufacturing.

• I was delighted to meet Berardino Baratta, the newly appointed CEO at MxD and get his point of view on the future of manufacturing. Stay tuned for further update on my interview.

• Gary W. Olson, head of AT&T Cybersecurity talked about “Securing the Edge: The Evolution to an Intelligent Enterprise”. He shared the two convergences. One is the convergence of industrial, IT and IoT. The second is the network and security convergence. 

• Scott Comroe, Sr. Principal Architect at AT&T business presented “Industry 4.0: A behind the scenes look at what is really happening”. I now have a much deeper understanding of a labyrinth of network options, synchronisation tools, data storage options and relevant use cases.

• Jason Inskeep, AVP of 5G COE at AT&T business, highlighted “Connected environments – decision making criteria for optimal outcome”. Digitalizing the factory and warehouse environments to improve efficiency, quality and safety involves making multiple decisions around hardware and software. Jason’s six-way match framework hit the home run. I am thrilled about hosting Jason on CXO Spice next Friday. Tune in to learn more from Jason.   

• I had a blast at AT&T Business exhibition booth as I was able to get an immersive smart factory experience through augmented reality. With a pair of virtual reality glasses, I tracked inventory without bending over or lifting anything. Thanks Allicen Lottes for making it happen.

• My favourite part of HANNOVER MESSE was to network with the best movers and shakers of #manufacturing. To name a few: Ande Hazard, Clara Hustad, Susan McNeil, Bonnie Gurney, Lisa D. Block, Lisa Woodruff and Jenny Drescher.

• I was thrilled to get to know Ande Hazard, VP of Manufacturing & Transportation Solutions at AT&T Business this week. Ande is responsible for $3B revenue and leads sales, technical architects and engineers, delivering the full range of AT&T products, services and global solutions. She is a model modern leader.

Besides attending Hannover Messe and IMTS this week, I had the pleasure sharing my perspectives with Alicia Nieves at Cheddar News on the following topics.

• How is the manufacturing industry benefiting from a digital revolution?

• What are smart factories and how are they allowing businesses to reach their full potential?

• The seismic impact of 5G and how it drives growth of the manufacturing industry.

• What do manufacturers say is the biggest barrier to IoT adoption?

You can watch my interview with Cheddar news here. 

I came away from the event impressed, inspired and energised. In the end, digital transformation happens at the intersection of technology and humanity. We want to delight customers and follow-through on the promises we make to them; make it easy for team members to do their job well, create a resilient environment that shares our mission as a company, and be proactive in delivering long-term business value.

In the next 10 to 20 years, manufacturers will be smarter, more sustainable, more automated and more connected. Digital factories need modern leaders to create and transform the convergence.

The factory of the future is not something to be feared, but a vision to be embraced and a modern passageway to reach our greatest potential.