The manufacturing sector has traditionally implemented a range of wired networks to automate plant floor operations. However, emerging machine-to-machine (M2M) systems such as short-range wireless and long-range cellular networks are evolving into choice solutions for factories of the future, according to Frost & Sullivan.
M2M systems can supplement or replace wired networks to enable advanced robotics and enterprise mobility on the plant floor, enabling convenient connectivity in inaccessible areas, communication across barriers, and simplified installation based on wireless local area, wide area, and sensor networks.
Telecommunication companies (telcos) will be an important stakeholder in the provision of M2M solutions and the growth of the “Internet of things” in the manufacturing sector in Europe.
“Telcos’ ability to offer enterprise-grade communication services integrated with plant-level communications is critical to reliable plant-level operations,” said Frost & Sullivan Information and Communication Technologies Research Analyst Shuba Ramkumar. “Existing partner networks can also be leveraged to provide end-to-end services, including network implementation, provision of applications, and data analytics.”
The pace at which M2M communication is adopted may be slow as the traditionally conservative manufacturing sector will be apprehensive about potential downtime and the risk to the value and quality of their output, Frost & Sullivan reports. Security concerns are another reason manufacturers are reluctant to use wireless networks.
For more information, visit www.ict.frost.com.