Smart manufacturing requires workers with expertise in AI and cybersecurity to enhance operational efficiency and security.
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a significant digital transformation, as highlighted in Rockwell Automation’s 10th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report. Currently, 56% of manufacturers are piloting smart manufacturing initiatives, while 20% have successfully deployed them at scale, and another 20% are planning future investments. Although energy costs have become less of a concern, manufacturers are increasingly facing cybersecurity risks, competition, and workforce challenges. These issues, compounded by inflation and economic uncertainty, are now considered the primary obstacles manufacturers expect to encounter in the coming year. To mitigate risks, manufacturers are seeking solutions that integrate automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and secure systems from edge to cloud, with 50% of those surveyed planning to utilise AI and Machine Learning (ML) for quality control within the next 12 months.
In response to dynamic market conditions and tight margins, manufacturers are exploring smarter ways to manage their supply chains. Approximately 28% of organisations are actively evaluating their critical suppliers to address external risks, prompting a reevaluation of sourcing, pricing, and overall costs. According to 81% of respondents, the challenges faced both internally and externally are accelerating digital transformation. Cloud and Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, along with AI, are identified as top technology investments, followed by cybersecurity and quality management. Despite collecting more data than ever, only 44% is being used effectively, indicating a gap in turning data into actionable insights. Nevertheless, many organisations are leveraging data to enhance security and operational resilience, with 37% using it to protect against cyber threats and 29% employing analytics to monitor supply chain risks. The shift towards smart manufacturing is also increasing the demand for skilled workers, particularly in AI and cybersecurity, as 41% of manufacturers are turning to AI and ML to address labour shortages and enhance productivity.
Categories: Digital Transformation, Supply Chain Management, Workforce Development
Tags: Digital Transformation, Smart Manufacturing, Cybersecurity, AI, Supply Chains, Automation, Workforce Challenges, Data Analytics, Process Optimization, Economic Uncertainty