Digital Transformation Viewpoints

As manufacturers and processors globally navigate through an era marked by rapid technological advancements, trade and geopolitical uncertainties, and evolving consumer demands, the need for flexible, interoperable, and software-centric automation systems has never been more critical. Open software-defined automation is not just an incremental improvement; it's a strategic imperative that enables industries to enhance their co...

In our first ARC Advisory Group SPARC podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Steve Blackwell, Head of the Manufacturing Center of Excellence at Amazon Web Services (AWS), about the transformative shift towards Software Defined Manufacturing (SDM) in the Era of Agentic AI.1 We explored how Agentic AI is becoming the "brain and central nervous system" of the future factory, orchestrating complex digital workflows acro...

In the first three episodes of this series, we rediscovered our industry’s foundational challenges, tracked the rise of what ARC calls the Industrial Data Fabric, and highlighted the domain-specific innovators driving much of the momentum. This journey has established the critical need for clean, organized, and AI-ready data as the bedrock for future innovation.

Now, we take the next logical step. In this fourth episode, we explore ...

Welcome to the third installment of our ongoing conversation on Industrial Systems Engineering in the Era of AI. In this series, I’m joined by my good friend and serial entrepreneur Rick Bullotta to unpack the profound shifts AI is driving in the industrial world.

 Our journey began in Episode 1, where we explored the historical evolution and foundational data challenges that have long constrained industrial operations. In Episode 2...

Craig Resnick and Mark Sen Gupta from the ARC Advisory Group host a discussion on the evolving landscape of functional safety in automation in the age of Digital Transformation. Joined by special guest Noah Greene, Product Marketing Specialist for Functional Safety from Phoenix Contact, the conversation delves into the critical role of safety devices, such as configured controllers, safety relays, and safety PLCs in enhancing opera...

In this episode, we'll dive deeper into the changes and challenges brought about by AI, particularly since the November 22 moment with ChatGPT. We'll explore how AI has impacted industrial systems engineering, data quality, and the utilization of massive amounts of data in factories and supply chains.
Introduction Let's start with the big picture. AI has been around for a while, but the renewed focus on data qual...

IEEE 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 and 6E represent major advancements in wireless technology, particularly for industrial environments, due to their incremental efficiency, scalability, and bandwidth. Key features like OFDMA allow multiple devices to communicate simultaneously on subdivided channels, reducing latency and improving spectrum use. Wi-Fi 6E introduces the 6 GHz band, significantly expanding available bandwidth and alleviating cong...

In a recent ARC Advisory Group SPARC podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Steve Blackwell, Head of the Manufacturing Center of Excellence at Amazon Web Services (AWS). We dove deep into one of the most transformative shifts happening in the industrial sector today: Software Defined Manufacturing (SDM) in the Era of Agentic AI.

Would you like to be a guest on our growing podcast?

Do you have an intriguing or thought ...

In this edition of the ARC Digital Transformation Podcast, we talk to Grant Vanderbrake and Arnold Offner from Phoenix Contact about a new technology called Ethernet APL (Advanced Physical Layer), which essentially brings Ethernet technology to the field device level at the physical networking layer. Ethernet APL is a great technology, and every major process automation vendor seems to be supporting it, but what about the cybersecu...

Join Craig Resnick, Vice President of the ARC Advisory Group, in a compelling discussion with Amit Bhatia, Distribution Channel Director at Schneider Electric, and Rakesh Jain, CEO of Rexel India. In this episode, titled Boosting Industrial Automation Growth: Importance of Specialized Distributor Partner Network, the podcast explores the pivotal role of industrial automation distributors and partner networks in shaping the future o...

For those who may not know him, Rick is a true titan in the industrial technology landscape. As a co-founder of Lighthammer (which evolved into SAP Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence) and ThingWorx (later acquired by PTC), Rick has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. His pivotal work has shaped connected systems, driven digital transformation, and advanced intelligent automation. I consider Rick a serial entre...

Examine of cutting-edge digital technology with industry experts Luciano Botto and Libanio Souza. In this compelling podcast episode, recorded live at the ARC 29th Annual Conference, we explore the transformative power of new digital solutions in process control. Discover how these innovations are enhancing maintainability, interoperability, and quality improvement in the industry. Learn about the groundbreaking OPC UA and OPA stan...

Are you interested in taking your sensor-driven real-time insights to the next level? The latest trends in real-time solutions driving operations excellence for anomaly detection with emissions and corrosion monitoring leveraging Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) come to the forefront in my recent discussion with Molex executive Krishna Uppuluri, from mPACT2WO.  

#AIoT #RealTimeSolutions #Innovation #OperationsExcellence

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In this episode of ARC Advisory's Industrial AI Series, Jim Frazer sits down with Colin Masson, ARC's Director of Research, to delve into the transformative world of Industrial AI. Together, they dissect how Industrial AI stands apart from general AI, exploring the powerful tools and techniques that drive data insights, optimize operations, and enhance safety in mission-critical environments. From the nuances of supervise...

This podcast features Colin Masson of ARC Advisory Group and Dustin Johnson, CTO of Seeq - a global provider of advanced analytics, AI, and enterprise monitoring for industrial companies - discussing the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in industrial settings.  Key topics include the transformation of user interfaces through generative AI, the challenges of applying large language models to time-series data, and the di...

In this episode, Colin Masson, Research Director for Industrial AI at ARC Advisory Group, and Bryan Saunders, Global Director and Head of IoT Industry Consulting at SAS, delve into the critical aspects of the AI and analytics lifecycle in the industrial sector. They explore key areas, including:

• Data Management: The discussion emphasizes the importance of managing data quality for improved decision-making and outcomes. They addr...

This podcast discusses the expanding application of computer vision within industrial AI. Computer vision, defined as the computer processing of visual input, is experiencing widespread adoption across various industrial sectors. Colin Masson and Larry O'Brien of ARC Advisory Group highlight numerous use cases, including worker safety, asset management, and quality inspection. Much of their conversation focuses on the diverse ...

In this discussion, part of ARC’s Digital Transformation series, Arnold Offner of Phoenix Contact discusses the prospects for Ethernet-APL, a new technology that will bring truly standardized, high-speed networking to field devices in future process plants. He discusses who has developed this technology, when it will become available, and how it might change operations and maintenance activities in process manufacturing.

F...

The role of System Integrators Alliance Partners has never been more important or critical than it is today. System Integrator Alliance Partners are typically on the front line when it comes to deploying and supporting key technologies to better monitor and control operations, protect against downtime, ensure high productivity, protect and upskill personnel, enable remote workforces, and do this while leveraging enhanced cybersecur...