Digital Transformation Viewpoints

Featured here are original and timely articles from ARC analysts and guest writers on topics such as Digitization, New Business Models, Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, Smart Cities, and Smart Manufacturing. We dive into technologies such as additive manufacturing, machine learning, asset performance management, device connectivity, IIoT architecture, cybersecurity, augmented reality, and more related to digitization and transformation of industries, infrastructure, and cities. Our goal is to provide readers with clear and concise analyses, opinions, and discussion of these trends, technologies, and services.

Aug
28
2018
Inderpreet Shoker — Industry Trends

Leveraging Industry Knowledge to Optimize Asset Integrity Management Program

At ARC Advisory Group’s recent Industry Forum in Orlando, Florida, asset performance management (APM) was among the key topics discussed. One of the sessions focused on asset integrity management (AIM) and discussed some of the key features of a successful AIM program. One of the speakers, William Closser from Idaho National Labs(INL) shared with the audience their experience using advanced software tools that leverage industry knowledge and help them expedite certain tasks and therefore, optimize their AIM program.
Aug
27
2018
Guest Blogger: Frank Antonysamy — Industry Trends

Combating the Double-Edge Sword of Hyper-Connectivity within the Manufacturing Enterprise

Smart factories. Digital manufacturing. Industry 4.0. The transformational possibilities from a hyper connected manufacturing enterprise has spawned several exciting initiatives throughout many organizations. The blurring of lines between IT and operational technologies (OT) has enabled real-time visibility of asset productivity, improved efficiencies in processes and enabled very different operating models.
Aug
24
2018
— Industry Trends

Will Lack of Innovation Kill Recycling?

Recycling is getting is getting lots of media attention of late.  It’s been on this blogger’s mind based on personal experience with my own trash collector.

Aug
23
2018
Florian Güldner — Company and Product News

RFID Enables Industrie 4.0

For a number of years, ARC conducts research in the area of RFID. First studies were published in the early 2000s. The technology itself is significantly older, it has been around for decades. At the turn of the millennium, the technology gained greater interest in the industry for use in product tracking.
Aug
21
2018
Inderpreet Shoker — Industry Trends

Three Major Components of a Successful Asset Integrity Management Program

The main objective of asset management initiatives is to ensure that assets perform their required functions throughout their life-time. Asset integrity management (AIM) has the same objective but with an emphasis on health, safety, and environment. AIM helps ensure that the appropriate people, systems, processes, and resources are in place, in use, and will perform when required. When assets are managed and maintained properly, not only it helps drive their sustainable performance, but also lowers inspection, maintenance and repair costs while improving plant reliability and operational safety.
Aug
13
2018
Guest Blogger: Floyd Miller — Industry Trends

Danger, danger Will Robinson! That does not compute!

Are you experiencing a tsunami of data? Smart, connected devices are transforming virtually every function in manufacturing. And, while the change feels massive right now, we are only connecting a small percentage of what potentially can be connected, with expectations of billions of additional smart objects being included in the future.
Aug
09
2018
Bob Gill — Industry Trends

User Stories from the Industry of Things (Part Two)

Part Two of this article features more stories of end user Industrial IoT adoptions and digital transformation journeys from the recent Industry of Things World Asia conference in Singapore, which this year was chaired by ARC Advisory Group. As mentioned in Part One, hearing from other end users on their motivations, experiences and challenges can be a powerful learning step for companies looking to initiate and move forward with projects in these areas.
Aug
07
2018
— Industry Trends

Digital Twins Define Oil & Gas 4.0

According to the US Department of Energy, pumping systems account for almost 20 percent of the world’s energy consumed by electric motors and approximately 25 to 50 percent of the total electric energy usage in certain industrial facilities. Among other applications, pumps move crude oil through vast pipeline networks, which in turn play an indispensable role in transporting hydrocarbons to key markets. Suppliers are already developing solutions such as digital twins that can leverage data analytics to optimize the performance of pump stations for crude oil and other pipelines.
Aug
03
2018
Florian Güldner — Industry Trends

Siemens New Strategy and Q3 Numbers

Siemens announced new its new strategy and their latest numbers. Timing wise, this is a smart move, as it is always better to change before it starts to hurt and the numbers are indeed quite good.