Data is utilized to the fullest in smart manufacturing, as data collection and analysis are two of the hallmarks of the practice. Smart manufacturing collects constant data from factory machines, sensors, and supply chain systems, while AI-powered cloud computing analyzes the data in real-time. That enables valuable insights that help decision-makers adjust systems for productivity, quality, and efficiency/sustainability improvements.
Just as importantly, data analysis also informs autonomous actions from the connected factory, where self-optimizing systems based on machine learning can automatically adjust.