Representative End User Clients
Representative Automation Clients
Representative Software Clients
Executive Overview
Improvement in business performance and support for sustainable manufacturing operations are primary drivers behind current automation investment. A broad range of enabling technologies are being implemented to these ends, generating an explosion of data, video, and voice inputs from a variety of sensors, cameras, scanners, controllers, processors, and other devices. Network connectivity is a primary enabler underpinning the monitoring and control of core processes and key performance metrics that drive today’s digital transformation strategies.
With increasing demands on industrial network infrastructure, the reliance on wireless communications is expanding. Wireless solutions are becoming indispensable in environments where traditional wireline infrastructures, such as Ethernet and fiber, are impractical, ineffective, or cost-prohibitive. These scenarios include harsh operating environments and the need to support mobile, remote, and autonomous assets.
Increasingly demanding industrial network infrastructure functional requirements include expanding reliance on wireless communications. In-creasing need for these capabilities is expanding the role of wireless in the overall architecture, driving up the share of total connectivity wireless represents in each facility, and spurring industrial suppliers to expand their wireless portfolios.
Industrial wireless local area network (WLAN) infrastructure continues to evolve to meet the needs of modern digital transformation strategies. As wireless technologies advance, they offer increased reliability, performance, and security, making them a vital component in industrial environments. By understanding these trends and adopting the latest standards and best practices, enterprises can ensure they are well-equipped to meet the demands of the future. For the foreseeable future, most customers will continue to employ a mix of wireline and wireless network types, with primary emphasis on suitability for use case.
Wi-Fi Use Drivers
Network connectivity is a primary technology enabler for today’s digital transformation efforts. Incremental use cases ranging from AI-enabled predictive analytics to robotics, autonomous operations, and business innovation all require a solid connectivity foundation. The explosion of data input possibilities, including from a variety of sensors, cameras, scanners, and other devices, is coupled with a parallel escalation in the number of connected mobile devices. Wireless sensing applications are likewise increasing, driving demand for incremental infrastructure capabilities.
Increasing need for these capabilities is expanding the role of wireless in the overall architecture, driving up the share of total connectivity wireless represents in each facility. A recent WBA survey, for example, revealed a sharp increase in the number of respondents expressing confidence in wireless technology, particularly as 6 GHz spectrum becomes more widely available. Wi-Fi also continues to enjoy a cost advantage in terms of infrastructure investment cost, device price, ease of expanding installations, and time to value.
Table of Contents
Executive Overview
Wi-Fi Use Drivers
Highlights of New Functional Improvements
Detractors
Recommendations
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