Smart factory

The key to a smart factory: network modernization

Smart factory solutions are revolutionizing manufacturing today. Technologies like advanced analytics, widespread automation, applied robotics and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) can help you boost productivity, enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Yet, for the many benefits a smart factory offers, it also creates a major new challenge for your IT team: how to modernize legacy networks to support advanced technology.

Existing network infrastructure simply wasn’t designed to handle the connectivity demands and massive amounts of data of smart manufacturing solutions. Legacy systems are rigid, lacking the flexibility to incorporate multiple types of connections. They’re prone to latency – a huge problem for smart manufacturing processes where milliseconds matter. And in the face of evolving cybersecurity threats, legacy networks aren’t up to the task of protecting your business-critical data and processes.

Spectrum Enterprise can help. With technology solutions tailored for the state of your network and the needs of your business, we help keep your smart factory connected, secure and ready to adapt to new challenges and opportunities in the manufacturing industry.

Making factories smarter

As you adopt smart factory technology, your network infrastructure must accommodate and support a broad range of needs.

IIoT devices

IIoT sensors are an essential part of digital transformation manufacturing. Environmental sensors and smart cameras help improve safety, bolster compliance efforts, automate security processes and deliver real-time visibility into environmental conditions that affect productivity. Smart cameras help manage inventory levels, track assets and monitor employees and contractors. Smart factory sensors also help manage energy usage and enable protective and preventive maintenance that can reduce costs and protect critical assets. Gathering and communicating data from thousands of sensors and cameras requires a network with ultra-high speeds and high-bandwidth capacity.

Robotics

Robotics and automation in smart factory settings can dramatically improve productivity and process quality. Today’s robots often collaborate closely with humans, however, increasing collision risks and other dangers. To communicate data in real time, smart factories need low-latency connectivity that allows robots to make split-second decisions that enhance safety while maintaining efficiency.

Flexible connectivity

The network for a smart factory must be as adaptable as possible. Traditional wide area networks (WANs) are limited to costly MPLS connections – they don’t offer the flexibility to incorporate commodity alternatives that help reduce costs while increasing redundancy.

Security

Legacy networks often enforce security policies by backhauling traffic from edge locations to a centralized data center for inspection. This leads to latency and unacceptable response times. Smart factories must have modern, SASE-based security solutions that improve protection for network and cloud-based traffic without compromising speed.

Streamlined management

When legacy networks are difficult to manage, IT teams in smart factories will have trouble scaling efficiently. Traditional technology that requires manual attention will inevitably tie up valuable IT resources and prevent teams from implementing infrastructure and processes fast enough to ensure network resilience and keep pace with business requirements.

Smart factory solutions from Spectrum Enterprise

As a provider of networking solutions and smart spaces technology to the country’s largest businesses, Spectrum Enterprise offers solutions that streamline operations and improve connectivity in smart factory settings. Our custom solutions and teams of networking experts can help you build a foundation for innovation to modernize your network, drive operational improvements and reap the benefits of smart manufacturing technology.

Our internet and network offerings for smart factories include:

• Dedicated Fiber Internet. We offer fast, symmetrical internet service up to 100 Gbps delivered on a private fiber network. Dedicated Fiber Internet delivers reliable performance that’s ready to grow and scale with you, along with 24/7/365 monitoring and a 100% uptime SLA guarantee.¹
• Managed networking services. Managed SD-WAN services efficiently and cost-effectively apply the right kind of connectivity to each location. Managed Wi-Fi relieves your teams of the burden of designing, implementing and managing WiFi connectivity. Managed router services optimize network traffic and bandwidth across multiple locations.
• Enterprise Network Edge. Powered by Fortinet, Enterprise Network Edge is a managed networking platform that provides access to multiple cloud instances and advanced security with throughput speeds up to 100 Gbps. This solution includes security, SD-WAN and LAN switch options to simplify IT operations.
• Managed Network Edge. As a modular, all-in-one solution, Managed Network Edge simplifies deployment and management of your smart factory network. Services include security, routing, WiFi, SD-WAN, remote access and more.
• Managed security services. Our security offerings reduce the day-to-day burden of managing network security. Secure Access with Cisco Duo combines identity verification and Zero Trust services, while Cloud Security with Cisco+ Secure Connect enhances protection with an array of cloud-based security solutions.

Extending your network to the production floor

To simplify networking and make collaboration simpler, we offer a solution designed specifically for the needs of manufacturers. Manage Workplace Package with Smart Spaces for manufacturing is a cloud-based, all-in-one platform that delivers multiple network components to connect your machines, equipment and devices to your digital network. Offered as a co-managed or fully managed solution, Managed Workplace Package is a modular solution that lets you choose the services that work best for you while leveraging our technology expertise and support.

Managed Workplace Package for Smart Spaces for manufacturing includes:

• End-to-end network protection: Monitor network security on the platform where you monitor physical security, customizing alerts to protect your organization online and in person.
• Production floor safety: Build a safer working environment using smart cameras and environmental sensors that automate event alerts and ensure compliance.
• Smart production: Leverage IIoT technology to improve automation and efficiency and make more informed decisions that result in better outcomes.
• Improved physical security: Improve safety and prevent theft with smart cameras and door sensors that automatically detect the movement of people, machines and vehicles.
• Enhanced sustainability: Minimize your carbon footprint with sensor analytics that monitor temperature data to reduce energy consumption, detect water leakage and track material usage more effectively.
• Improved asset management: Track business inventory with smart cameras that enhance supply chain management and prevent shrinkage.
• Streamlined network management: Extend your resources by relying on Spectrum Enterprise managed services and 24/7/365 U.S.-based support.
• Reduce costs: Eliminate upfront capital costs and reduce operating expenses while enjoying one predictable and recurring monthly fee.

Why choose Spectrum Enterprise?

At Spectrum Enterprise, we help you realize your boldest ambitions. Your success is the direct result of our approach to solving problems, based on three simple actions.

• We think ahead. From day one, we ask the right questions when a building network services plan based on your unique needs. By diving into the specifics of the challenges you face, we can design and implement business growth solutions that overcome obstacles and anticipate new needs before you have to ask.
• We go all in. At the start of any engagement, we lay the groundwork for open, honest communication across-the-board. This keeps us on the same page as you and your teams and allows us to keep driving toward your goals.
• We see it through. When it comes to your digital transformation projects, we know that everything is on the line. That’s why we’re ready to leave everything on the field to provide you with services and solutions that ensure success.

FAQs

What is a smart factory?

A smart factory is a facility or operation that leverages the Internet of Things and smart manufacturing technologies to automate workflows, increase efficiency, improve processes and enhance decision-making.

What solutions does a smart factory required?

Smart factory and smart manufacturing solutions typically rely on Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors to collect data and monitor a wide range of processes and equipment, including the health of manufacturing equipment, inventory levels, the movement of machines, and people and environmental conditions within the facility. Smart factories also need a robust and resilient network to keep devices and machines connected and to collect and transmit massive amounts of data for processing and analytics.

¹100% uptime SLA guarantee applies only to Dedicated Fiber Internet, Secure Dedicated Fiber Internet, Ethernet Services, Cloud Connect and Enterprise Trunking.