There was a big buzz around wireless technology in 2009. Cash-strapped companies sought alternative ways to gather more data from plant floor devices without building out costly infrastructure; field service teams looked to streamline operations; and IT departments attempted to put more power in the hands of mobile workers.
The interest resulted in a flurry of activity and announcements from automation and enterprise application vendors alike, as well as carriers, systems integrators, and professional service organizations, all of which clamored for a piece of the action within the untethered terrain. But beyond the preliminary PowerPoint presentations and press conferences, there does seem to be a solid foundation to move mobile manufacturing forward this year.
Here’s why:
Applications
Whether it’s SAP and Sybase, Microsoft and Capgemini, or Wonderware and SAT Corp., there is now a strong base of mobile applications designed specifically with manufacturers in mind. These types of applications will only continue to expand this year, offering a bucket full of new options.
Infrastructure
In May, the DASH7 Alliance was formed to create wireless technology that extends the ISO 18000-7 standard for low power wireless data transfer. The goal of the group — currently up to 20 members — is to provide interoperability between RFID devices and applications. A seamless RFID infrastructure will be a big boon for tracking materials and cargo in the supply chain. For DASH7, 2009 was all about technology investments in the infrastructure, but 2010 calls for its alignment with complementary technologies like cellular, passive RFID, WiFi, and 2D barcode, according to the DASH7 blog.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T all have plans for rolling out their fourth-generation (4G) wireless networks, which will bring broadband speeds to mobile devices. That may mean that a maintenance technician or plant floor operator can easily access instructional videos related to equipment or procedures from a handheld device, or launch a videoconferencing session when needed.
Services
As companies introduce more mobile devices into the organization, the management burden can become overwhelming. It can also become dangerous — a lost cell phone can become a hacker’s dream if it isn’t secured properly, which is why Verizon and Sybase teamed up to offer subscription-based managed mobility services, thus providing an integrated framework of management and security services delivered via a web portal. I suspect services like this will become very popular this year. Will there be more to come?
The Proof
Wireless does sound promising, but when it comes to actually deploying untested technology in a production environment, manufacturers would rather just wait for someone else to do it first, and successfully. Well, chemical maker Huntsman did it,
as did PepsiAmericas, Pfizer, ConocoPhillips, and Valero Energy.
Need I say more?
Cheers to a wonderfully wireless 2010!
2 Comments
This begs the question of weather building system automationc platforms and protocol can pass information wirelessly as well. However, it is a big enough challenge to get disparate building systems to communicate over wired IP..
Interesting post. I agree that the technology is not necessarily the focus for mobility and that mobile applications will make workers more productive. I think that what you’re seeing with human mobility is only the start of wireless penetration into manufacturing. Internet Protocol will take the trend a step further. Just like Ethernet enabled solutions a decade ago, IP will enable wireless solutions today and in the future. In my role working with wireless at Rockwell Automation, I’ve noticed that evaluating the applications that use IP helps manufacturers see the potential benefits of a wireless world. In addition to your point about streamlining operations, they’re seeing how wireless can make enterprises as well as people more productive and sustainable – an important trend, indeed.