The Future of Enterprise Connectivity in Manufacturing — Key Investment Areas to Advance AI-Driven Operations

This IDC Perspective takes a look at top connectivity challenges, timelines for connectivity transformation, top areas for investment growth, and the impact of AI. Higher levels of automation and intelligence across the manufacturing floor are driving the need for faster, more reliable, and secure connectivity technologies. As AI-driven transformation takes center stage, the massive increase in data and automation puts connectivity as a top priority to ensure efficient manufacturing operations. "The path to operational optimization for the manufacturing sector is underway, but 41.0% of manufacturers still struggle with IT procurement, 32.0% of manufacturers struggle with technology alignment, and nearly one-quarter of manufacturers state that they lack appropriate IT staff to implement, run, and support the wealth of connected systems and applications," commented Paul Hughes, research director, Future Enterprise Connectivity Strategies, IDC. "Those issues aside, manufacturing organizations are following a similar pattern to other industries with AI, and it is now becoming a critical part of network and overall operations transformation, even though it creates a new set of challenges as to how and where it will impact the business the most."