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.

Sep
15
2026

Mark Sen Gupta — Industry Trends

Why the Human Side of Automation Matters

The path to autonomous operations depends not only on technical capability, but also on operator trust, human judgment, competency, governance, and clear decision authority.

Sep
15
2026

Jim Frazer — Industry Trends

The AI Trade Just Ran Into Its Unit-Economics Problem

As AI costs decline, economic value may shift from model providers toward enterprises that embed inexpensive intelligence into high-value operating workflows.

Sep
15
2026

Jim Frazer — Industry Trends

The TMS Is Expanding Beyond Planning: What Defines the Category in 2026

Modern TMS platforms are extending beyond planning and execution to support connected operating states, faster decisions, and more dynamic transportation management.

Sep
15
2026

Rita Liu — Industry Trends

China’s Industrial Automation Market: Rising Revenue but Thin Profit Margins in 2026

China’s industrial automation market is generating stronger revenue as manufacturing demand recovers, but cost pressures, intense competition, and uneven segment performance continue to limit profit growth.

Sep
15
2026

Jim Frazer — Industry Trends

From Systems of Record to a Logistics Control Layer

The emerging logistics control layer connects fragmented execution systems to coordinate operating state, decisions, and actions across the logistics network.

Sep
15
2026

Jim Frazer — Acquisition or Partnership

NVIDIA Is Buying the Distribution Layer of AI

NVIDIA’s move for Hugging Face highlights how AI competition is shifting from individual components toward the platforms that connect models, developers, applications, and infrastructure

Sep
15
2026

Chantal Polsonetti — Technology Trends

Wireless Broadband Alliance Issues Technical Blueprint Focused on Enterprise Security for Converged Private 5G and Wi-Fi Networks

The Wireless Broadband Alliance’s new technical blueprint outlines security practices for converged Private 5G and Wi-Fi networks, including Zero Trust, unified policy management, segmentation, and AI/ML-driven analytics.

Sep
14
2026

Colin Masson — Industry Trends

Governing the Silent Hand: Why Desktop AI Agents Need an Industrial Runtime Containment Plane

Desktop AI agents operating in industrial environments require runtime containment, granular permissions, human authorization, and kill switches to reduce operational risk.

Sep
11
2026

Colin Masson — Technology Trends

Has the Frontier Finally Crossed the Factory Wall? What the Latest Leap in Frontier AI Means for Industrial Autonomy

OpenAI’s latest frontier AI milestone highlights major advances in autonomous computer use, but industrial deployment still depends on domain-specific models, deterministic validation, robust governance, and cyber-physical safeguards.

Sep
11
2026

Chantal Polsonetti — Acquisition or Partnership

Open Secure AI Alliance Finds a Neutral Home at the Linux Foundation

The Open Secure AI Alliance has moved to the Linux Foundation, establishing neutral governance for collaborative development of open AI security technologies.