FACTORY OF THE FUTURE
The solution resembled an industrial spin-off of The Sims – as was jokingly alluded to at the start of the visit .
In reality , it was a comprehensive virtual twin capable of simulating factory environments in real time to test a diversity of scenarios , digital solutions and data-driven decision making .
Featuring a comprehensive analytics suite and separate tabs for predictive maintenance , safety , AI and more , the simulation allows users to drag-and-drop assets into the factory environment .
A manufacturer could do this with industrial robots , for example , evaluating their potential impact on the production line without needing to navigate realworld expenses and downtime .
But what really sets this solution apart from others available to manufacturers is the scale at which it operates .
Last year , we reported extensively on the rise of digital twins and AI in manufacturing , with many companies integrating individual solutions . On the contrary , this simulation is fully holistic and integrated , enabling manufacturers to see how these technologies interact with and impact one another and the surrounding factory environment .
Verizon Business envisions it being extended far beyond the factory floor , digitalising the broader supply chain and enabling manufacturers to virtually track , monitor and collect data on every aspect of operations – from procurement all the way through to production .
“ We ’ re going to narrow the lens today and focus closer to the shop floor , as it were , in terms of the factory , but
40 January 2025