Connected Industry

The development and implementation of cognitive computing within industries is growing at a rapid pace. We will look at how Humans and Robots can effectively and safely work together to increase areas of manufacturing including: 

• Efficiency  
• Sustainable costs 
• Mass customisation

• The IoT is now firmly embedded within many industrial enterprises – but how do you move ahead of the ever-growing pack? 
• How small wins can grow into big returns – making smart choices when it comes to platform selection, device management etc.. 
• Seeing IoT as a business project, not an IT project

The future of manufacturing and many other industries is moving from descriptive to prescriptive analytics and operational intelligence; even beyond this to adopting machine learning and AI into the management of its IoT devices.  What will this shift do to the existing role of IoT in businesses? Moving from reactive to predictive industrial operations and the value of connected assets. 

Also, what are the benefits and dangers to those using IoT devices? What can predictive platforms or devices that can autonomously adjust parameters based upon measured and received data, or AI that creates its own rules and outcomes based on learned experiences play within the modern business?  Real life examples from across the industrial IoT and the progression from Industry 4.0.

The future of machine learning for industry is here, with the application of Artificial Intelligence, data centres and big data allowing for optimisation of processes and solutions. This session will look at the impact of this on industries, including: 

• Understanding the data – Making the most of predictions 
• The impact of machine learning on economic performance 
• Moving beyond just connecting things – Connecting, people, machines and platforms 

From this, we ask the important question – Where should the responsibility behind AI lie?

Efficient links between production and logistical processes to optimise Autonomous Systems within Industries is vital. Higher degrees of automation such as robotics allow for efficiency, productivity, individualisation and a fully connected supply chain system. This talk will look at Autonomous Systems within Smart factories: 

• Bridging the gap between physical production processes – Mobile Robotics 
• Getting it all connected – Longevity of software and hardware 
• Cost effective automation 
• Sustainable developments and resources  
• The next generation of collaborative robotics

Bringing the Cloud “closer to the ground” – Fog or Edge Computing allows for the Cloud to reach ‘things’ on the edge of networks. What is the role of the new paradigm of Fog/Edge Computing the IoT? We will hear about IoT use cases – What are the challenges when prototyping IoT devices and how Fog can secure the IoT.

Inside smart factories, Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) have to be synchronized with one another and with the external world to share information and trigger actions. Within these advanced embedded systems, Cyber-Mechanical Systems consisting of mechanics, hardware and software connects to the Cyber-Space allowing for a safe place big data can be stored. What benefits do Cyber-Mechanical Systems bring to mass production? 

• Interoperability 
• Analysis 
• Innovative applications

• Exploring the technology available for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance across industry, from maintaining wind turbines to services elevators. 
• Are we moving from reactive to predictive maintenance, and what role can machine learning play here? What about fixing problems remotely? 
• The potential benefits for business innovation and strategy of implementing IoT for maintenance, and what is holding industries back here? 
• Discussing the impact that data models used for predictive maintenance have on field services, and the need for feedback loops to continually refine them.

• How the Digital Twin concept bridges the physical and digital worlds to unlock new business value. 
• The move from traditional methods to utilising easily-created connected mobile experiences; leveraging augmented reality will offer new levels of interaction across the product lifecycle including key areas like creation, operation and services. How will this effect human interaction? 
• Discussing how to get buy in from your organisation and combat cultural biases – C-suite but also across traditionally siloed departments like engineering and IT. 
• Workforce of the future – How will digital labour in the servicing business transform the skills mix and workforces.

Utilising Additive Manufacturing to build desired structures and products is becoming a global trend in Industries. While being resource and cost effective, an example of 3-D printing allows for lightweight designs and a greater range of product sizes and solutions. Decentralised Rapid Prototyping and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) create high performance, reduces transport distances and stock on hand. With the development of Additive Manufacturing seeming to have no limitations, what can be expected of such revolutionary technology?

• Discussing the shift in manufacturing from a product focus to being outcome orientated and how this leads to an end-user focused result 
• Examining new factory concepts enabled by the ‘Industrial Internet’ – Utilising smart buildings and smart machinery 
• Results in terms of Capex, Opex and reductions in energy consumption and increased efficiency 
• The future of the workforce – How will digital labour in manufacturing transform the skills mix and the focus of tomorrow’s workforce

A smart factory is a fully connected system which utilises a constant stream of data from IoT-enabled processes such as inventory tracking, predictive maintenance, smart manufacturing and the implementation of digital twins. Advancements in smart lighting, temperature control and smart security systems add to the potential of a digitally integrated system. This talk will look at how all of these processes harmonise and enable more informed decisions, including: 

• Reduction in service costs 
• Lower energy consumption and increased efficiency 
• Process Automation – Moving beyond IoT to intelligent objects 
• Innovative production – What’s the next addition to the evolving smart factory?

Industry 4.0 and the unstoppable rise of automation is redefining manufacturing processes once and for all. Manufacturers are presented with the challenge of updating and digitising their systems as a means of future-proofing their businesses and staying ahead of the industry curve. This talk will look at how Process Automation allows for real time overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) information and how this data can be utilised for competitive advantage.

• With the focus of open source hardware, software and hybrid on the technology innovation rather than loyalty to operators and suppliers, where does this leave technology providers in an expanding market? 
• Is flexibility of out-sourcing and in-sourcing resources the most important factor in Industry 4.0? 
• How open source solutions allow for improved interoperability, increased innovation and more economical efficiency

With engineering and construction companies reporting to have already reached an advanced level of digitalisation and integration, and others adopting these digital advancements; the revolution of ‘Industry 4.0’ will change how structures are designed, built, maintained and used. Now focusing on long-term innovation, what are the digital solutions Industry 4.0 provides within construction? 

• Geospatial analysis 
• Process Automation 
• Talk to action – Utilising data to manage design intent to physical construction

• Integrating OT with IoT in the modern enterprise – Challenges such as technology, culture, standards and security 
• Looking at the way in which IoT-enabled manufacturing can provide visibility of resources, assets, processes for enhanced productivity and better ROI 
• Smart access points – How mobility, logistics, buildings, products, services and grids impact the business models 
• How Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and Virtual Reality (VR) impact on manufacturing

A robust security system for your industrial IoT (IIoT) network is vital in numerous ways; not only does this allow for supply chains to function at top capacity, but also ensures competitors are not able to gain access to your businesses key information e.g. Blueprints and product breakdowns. This talk will cover the key breakdowns of what to consider when choosing your IIoT security system, including: 

• What type of security technology should you implement and where? Is a multi-layered system most effective for protecting IIoT networks? 
• Is Internetworking the solution for connecting private data between end users, contractors and vendors? Pros and cons for a difficult V simplistic IIoT security system to defend yourself from cyber-attacks.

• Connecting and future-proofing legacy machines and equipment – Examining the methods, results and pain points 
• Data Challenges in a research organization – Is a reusable pattern the solution? 
• Journey from a disconnected world into a streaming data platform – Does enabling IoT improve on KPIs for production, cost consideration and resource consumption? 
• Moving analytics to the edge – What is the right data to collect from your legacy equipment and how to get it fast

• The seamless integration of standards into the IoT – Moving from proprietary solutions to standards, allowing for interoperability along the entire supply chain 
• How businesses are using de-centralized, autonomous device networks to enable fast and efficient deployment of large-scale industrial IoT 
• Exploring the comprehensive world of sensors, including wireless, cellular, satellite and MEMS (Micro-electromechanical system for wearable devices) – What are the challenges that arise and how to overcome them? 
• The role of Ultra-low-power wireless technologies for the enterprise-focused internet of things