While talk of smart factories is everywhere, few have yet found success in scaling these technologies. To achieve this growth, manufacturers need to do more than just connect machines.

» A smart factory today digitalises the core of a traditional manufacturing environment by unifying the edge-tocloud journey. Unlike conventional setups, it leverages real-time data from interconnected machines, systems and processes to optimise every stage of production – from supply chain operations through manufacturing and delivery. By creating a dynamic and responsive environment, smart factories enable manufacturers to adapt quickly to changing market demands, improve efficiency, reduce costs and consistently ensure product quality. At its core, a smart factory is an intelligent ecosystem where digital technologies seamlessly connect machines, processes and people to drive continuous improvement and business value. A strong example of this evolution is our Hagerstown Advanced Rail Digital Factory, where these principles have been put into practice to create a truly cutting-edge smart factory model. Another example is Hitachi’ s Omika Works factory, which was recognised by the World Economic Forum as an Advanced 4th Industrial Revolution Lighthouse.

» IIoT sits at the foundation of the smart factory ecosystem. It acts as the connective layer that links machines, sensors, systems and people across the shop floor and enterprise. Without IIoT, there is no reliable flow of real-time operational data to power analytics, AI models, digital twins or sustainability platforms.