This time , rather than looking at the entire conference output , we ’ ve highlighted one event which is part of the International Manufacturing Technology Show 2018 . It ’ s the 32nd edition of what is described as ‘ the premier manufacturing technology show in North America ’ and will host the 2018 Global Automation & Manufacturing Summit , with this year ’ s themes described as ‘ connecting the dots ’. Organisers say : “ As implementation of Industrial Internet of Things ( IIoT ) strategy continues , manufacturers are looking for effective ways to measure and manage plant floor data and make it useful to improve their operations . “ The 2018 Global Automation and Manufacturing Summit will update manufacturing leaders on where the industry is at in the journey to operational IIoT systems and will explore issues such as cybersecurity and operational change management .”

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