To ensure that 5G can truly open wireless connectivity for factory automation, it is essential there is close collaboration between information and communication technologies (IT) and operational technologies (OT) to understand the challenges and requirements of a flexible smart manufacturing approach from both sides.
Until now, IT and OT have gone about business in their own domains. This is changing with the arrival of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT). Embedded sensors and software in physical industrial machines delivering data to be analyzed to optimize the manufacturing process is blurring the lines between them. IT and OT must work together to ensure greater agility and productivity, while ensuring the safety of employees.
Industry 4.0, or the fourth industrial revolution, is already beginning to transform manufacturing with super-efficient, connected smart factories. 5G will ultimately accelerate these processes. In the not too distant future, we will see manufacturers roll out easily configurable, highly flexible and modular production systems operating on-demand. They will provide enhanced data mining from connected devices, which can be fed into digital twins, for example, to provide production line simulations.