Smart factory and smart manufacturing

Implementing smart factory and smart manufacturing technologies

Advanced technologies and computing models are revolutionizing smart factory and smart manufacturing environments. Built around the Internet of Things, these new manufacturing solutions can help businesses compete more effectively by enhancing efficiency, increasing visibility, improving safety and mitigating risk.

For IT teams, however, new smart factory and smart manufacturing solutions represent enormous challenges. Industrial Internet of Things technology requires a highly robust and scalable network that can handle massive amounts of real-time data. IT teams may also need to deploy analytics applications, maintain fast WiFi connections, manage sprawling wide area networks and ensure effective protections against an evolving threat landscape.

At Spectrum Enterprise, we’re all in on solutions for smart factories and smart manufacturing. Our comprehensive technologies can help your facility streamline operations, enhance supply chain visibility and integrate evolving digital technologies to better meet your needs and goals.
 

What is a smart factory?

A smart factory or smart manufacturing facility uses data collected from connected devices and machinery. By constantly monitoring processes and conditions, smart technologies help to inform decisions, improve processes and increase efficiency. Smart facilities may use several advanced technologies, including an Internet of Things network, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and big data analytics.

Smart factory and smart manufacturing technologies enable several key benefits.

• Predictive maintenance. IoT sensors, cameras and analytics help managers of manufacturing lines detect when machines are failing or about to fail. By anticipating problems, manufacturers can take preventive action to fix equipment before it causes downtime or safety issues.
• Workplace safety. Smart factory and smart manufacturing sensors can automatically detect potential collisions, workers who aren’t following safety precautions or changes in temperature, humidity and air quality that may indicate safety concerns. When sensors uncover potential safety issues, the IoT network can automatically issue real-time alerts to ensure safety and minimize disruption.
• Supply chain efficiency. Smart factory and smart manufacturing environments use advanced analytics backed by high-capacity connections and cloud service providers to optimize shipment schedules, manage inventory and maximize supply chain efficiency.
• Automation. By automating manufacturing processes and quality assurance tasks, smart technology enables businesses to accomplish more with fewer workers and fewer mistakes.
• Security. Smart technology delivers cybersecurity and manufacturing benefits by defending against cyber threats like ransomware and protecting networks, devices and users from a broad range of attacks.
• Sustainability. Smart factory and smart manufacturing solutions help reduce energy consumption.
   

Smart factory and smart manufacturing solutions from Spectrum Enterprise

Spectrum Enterprise offers smart factory and smart manufacturing solutions that ensure your facility is ready for the connected future. With high-performance connectivity, managed security, networking solutions and managed network services, we are ready to help your teams drive operational improvements, secure your data and achieve your business goals.

Our offerings include:

• Dedicated Fiber internet . Our manufacturing solutions start with advanced connectivity. Dedicated Fiber Internet delivers symmetrical service with speeds up to 100 Gbps and an end-to-end service-level agreement (SLA)  with a 100 percent uptime guarantee¹.
• Managed cloud security. Our fully managed, cloud-based solutions protect your network and sensitive information with Zero Trust, multi-factor authentication, secure remote access services, edge security solutions and other highly effective technologies.
• Enterprise Network Edge. Combining advanced security, edge networking, remote access, WiFi and managed switches, Enterprise Network Edge delivers a secure SD-WAN to meet the capacity of smart factory and smart manufacturing facilities.
• Network services. Our full suite of networking products is both flexible and highly scalable, delivering the agility to increase operational efficiency.
• Voice and collaboration solutions. We integrate cloud-based voice, video, messaging and collaboration solutions on a single platform to simplify the way your teams collaborate and communicate with customers.
   

Managed Workplace Package with Smart Spaces

To streamline the process of extending your network to the production floor, we offer a cloud-based, all-in-one platform that simplifies deployment and management of multiple network components.

Our Managed Workplace Package with Smart Spaces provides everything you need to connect your machines, equipment and devices to your digital network. This solution lets you select the services that are right for your smart factory and smart manufacturing environment – including environmental sensors, smart cameras, WiFi, high-capacity connectivity and advanced security. We integrate them all on a turnkey platform that combines connectivity, communications and network management.

Managed Workplace Package with Smart Spaces for manufacturing lets you:

• Work smarter. Automate processes to enhance efficiency. Connect devices and unite data throughout your facility for more informed decisions and better outcomes.
• Simplify management. Our managed network services extend your resources by providing solution design, installation, maintenance and 24/7/365 U.S.-based support from a single provider.
• Enhance asset management. Track inventory with smart cameras to prevent shrinkage and enhance supply chain management.
• Meet sustainability goals. Reduce your carbon footprint and environmental impact by managing energy consumption, detecting water leaks and tracking material usage.
• Improve safety. Create a safer workplace by monitoring environmental conditions and activity on the production floor using smart cameras and environmental sensors.
• Protect your network. Stop threats to your network with fully managed security solutions that combine multiple layers of security controls and up-to-date protection.
• Reduce costs. Eliminate upfront capital costs and reduce operating expenses with a solution that offers one predictable and recurring monthly fee.
   

Why customers choose Spectrum Enterprise

At Spectrum Enterprise, we deliver scalable, fiber technology and business growth solutions for the nation’s largest businesses and communications service providers. Our extensive portfolio not only includes high-bandwidth fiber internet solutions but networking and managed networking services, voice and unified communications technologies, HDTV services and support for smart city, smart smart factory and smart manufacturing facilities.

In close collaboration with our clients, our teams of experts design, deploy and manage technology solutions that meet unique requirements for a broad range of industries and manufacturers. Our specialists help our customers achieve success by developing and implementing solutions that easily adapt as new markets emerge and new opportunities arise.
 

FAQs

What is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things is a network of interconnected devices that collects, analyzes and shares data in real time. Internet of Things devices may be as simple as a sensor that measures the temperature in a room to something as complex as a self-driving vehicle.
 

What is smart manufacturing?

Smart manufacturing uses advanced technologies to create more efficient, agile and productive manufacturing processes. Smart manufacturing may incorporate the Internet of Things as well as robotics, robotic process automation, big data analytics, cloud computing, digital twins and other emerging technologies.
 

What is a smart factory?

A smart factory is a facility that uses the Internet of Things and smart manufacturing processes to collect and share data that drives automation, process improvement, greater efficiency and improved decision-making.

^1.100% uptime SLA guarantee applies only to Dedicated Fiber Internet, Secure Dedicated Fiber Internet, Ethernet Services, Cloud Connect and Enterprise Trunking.