How Virtual PLCs Are Changing the Way Factories Operate
· Discrete Manufacturing

How Virtual PLCs Are Changing the Way Factories Operate

Manufacturers are moving control systems off physical hardware and into virtual environments to reduce downtime, lower costs, and respond faster to production needs.As industrial automation evolves, more manufacturers are looking to virtualization—not just for analytics and dashboards, but for the control systems at the heart of production. A key shift underway is the migration from […]

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The Edge Is Already Thinking. Most of the Industry Just Isn’t Ready for That
· Connected Industry

The Edge Is Already Thinking. Most of the Industry Just Isn’t Ready for That

I’ve spent my career building systems that don’t get second chances. Environments where power flickers, heat warps, and networks fail, places where a device either works or it becomes a liability. So when I hear talk about edge computing as some distant future, it tells me exactly how far removed the conversation is from the […]

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How Manufacturers Can Build Real Momentum in Digital Transformation
· Discrete Manufacturing

How Manufacturers Can Build Real Momentum in Digital Transformation

At the Automate Show in Detroit, Gregory Tink, Digital Transformation Consulting Director at Schneider Electric, shared a clear and actionable approach to industrial digital transformation—one that moves beyond buzzwords and into scalable, measurable progress.Start with Strategy, Not TechnologyToo many manufacturers jump straight into pilots or advanced technologies like AI and digital twins, bypassing the foundational work […]

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The Rise of AI Agents: Redefining Automation in Manufacturing
· Discrete Manufacturing

The Rise of AI Agents: Redefining Automation in Manufacturing

AI agents are rapidly transforming industries, and manufacturing is no exception. While initial applications focused on optimizing HR, finance, legal, and claims management, AI agents are now driving significant improvements in core manufacturing operations.These intelligent systems generally take two forms: Independent AI agents that operate autonomously, handling complex, end-to-end tasks with minimal human input. Collaborative […]

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InfluxDB 3: Turning Industrial Data into Real-Time Action with Less Complexity
· Process Manufacturing

InfluxDB 3: Turning Industrial Data into Real-Time Action with Less Complexity

For manufacturers, utilities, and other industrial operators, time series data—information captured over time from machines, sensors, and control systems—is the backbone of modern operations. But as data volumes grow, many organizations are still struggling to keep up: storing the data is easy; using it effectively, in real time, is not.InfluxData’s release of InfluxDB 3 Core and […]

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Industrial Robotics: Transforming Modern Manufacturing and Beyond
· Discrete Manufacturing

Industrial Robotics: Transforming Modern Manufacturing and Beyond

The world around us is evolving with the speed of light and technology is booming in its full glory. The idea of robots co-existing around us used to look like a far-fetched dream, a thing of the future or something that could only be seen in sci-fi movies. But we’re actively living that futuristic dream […]

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The Silent Barriers to Industrial Competitiveness
· Discrete Manufacturing

The Silent Barriers to Industrial Competitiveness

At Hannover Messe 2025, industrial competitiveness emerged as a dominant theme, sparking discussions beyond technology. While manufacturers continue to face rising complexity, the real constraints may not be what you expect.Barbara Frei, EVP of Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric, points to a combination of overlooked issues that quietly erode industrial performance: mindset, workforce readiness, and siloed […]

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Embedded AI at the Edge: Rethinking Industrial Performance in Real Time
· Discrete Manufacturing

Embedded AI at the Edge: Rethinking Industrial Performance in Real Time

As industrial systems grow increasingly complex, the traditional reliance on cloud-based analytics is being fundamentally challenged. What’s emerging instead is a shift toward real-time, on-site intelligence—driven by embedded AI at the edge. This transformation is not just technical; it’s strategic, offering new ways to improve safety, efficiency, and scalability in environments where timing, precision, and […]

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Why Circular Manufacturing Needs Automation, AI, and Modular Design to Compete
· Additive Manufacturing

Why Circular Manufacturing Needs Automation, AI, and Modular Design to Compete

At Hannover Messe 2025, Ali Haj Fraj, Senior Vice President of the Digital Factory at Schneider Electric, offers a compelling perspective on one of the most pressing industrial challenges: how to balance sustainability with global competitiveness. His answer? Don’t treat them as opposing forces. Instead, treat sustainability as a core driver of performance.Rethinking the Sustainability–Competitiveness Trade-OffToo often, […]

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The Hidden Advantage of Industry Leaders: Multisite MES
· Discrete Manufacturing

The Hidden Advantage of Industry Leaders: Multisite MES

As manufacturers navigate increasingly complex global operations, one thing is clear: digital transformation can no longer be achieved through disconnected plant-level systems. A new white paper from Critical Manufacturing, “Multisite MES: Essential for Enterprise Digital Transformation,” outlines why a unified, enterprise-wide MES is fast becoming the foundation for future-ready manufacturing.Traditionally, MES implementations have been handled at the […]

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[New booklet] How IIoT and AI Are Driving Smarter Operational Investments
· Artificial Intelligence

[New booklet] How IIoT and AI Are Driving Smarter Operational Investments

In today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, staying competitive means being smart with your operations — and smarter with your investments. Leading organizations are turning to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimize processes, cut costs, and boost ROI.This new digital booklet, “How IIoT and AI Are Driving Smarter Operational Investments,” explores how companies across manufacturing, logistics, […]

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InfluxData at Hannover Messe 2025: Making Industrial Data Work for You
· Predictive Maintenance

InfluxData at Hannover Messe 2025: Making Industrial Data Work for You

Hannover Messe 2025 is where manufacturers and industrial companies find practical solutions for real-world challenges. This year, InfluxData is bringing something different: an efficient, cost-effective way to handle industrial data in real time. Visit Hall 14, Booth H38, to see how InfluxDB simplifies data management, provides instant insights, and reduces storage costs.Why InfluxDB?Manufacturers deal with massive amounts of […]

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