What is Smart Manufacturing?

Manufacturing has always had to evolve as new systems, technologies, and processes were discovered.

As we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it can be daunting to separate the hype from reality. Smart Manufacturing is real and is here to stay.

What's in a name?

Smart Manufacturing, The Industrial Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, The Connected Enterprise, Modernization, or Digital Transformation—no matter what you call it, it's characterized by the use of automation and smart machines to create smart factories that can be more competitive, more productive and more efficient. Typically, it involves the convergence of OT (Operational Technology) and IT (Information Technology) to form a connected factory to enable data-driven decision-making to drive operational excellence. With smart devices, and smart machines, you get smart manufacturing and smart factories.

Rockwell Automation, a leader in factory automation products, software, solutions, and services, defines smart manufacturing as the following. "Smart Manufacturing is the intelligent, real-time orchestration and optimization of business, physical and digital processes within factories and across the entire value chain. Resources and processes are automated, integrated, monitored, and continuously evaluated based on all available information as close to real time as possible."

Want to learn more about Smart Manufacturing?

Click here to download the Rockwell Automation 2024 State of Smart Manufacturing Report.

No matter where you are on your Smart Manufacturing journey, ES&E can help you achieve your goals. Contact your ES&E Account Manager or Automation Specialist to see how you can start or progress in implementing smart devices and smart machines to create a smart factory.