Automation has always been characterized by rapid growth, constant innovation and new work patterns. However, the events of the last two years have increased the need of companies across all industries for automation technologies that help them respond to global trends and stay competitive.
If you had to sum up automation in one word, it would be agility. The speed at which the industry introduces breakthrough ideas, innovative technologies and new concepts is amazing, but it can also be difficult for manufacturers to keep up. While it's difficult to know ahead of time which technologies will be worth investing in in 2022, here are the top three trends most likely to change the face of automation.
Cloud Native
In 2022, cloud native is predicted to become the cloud's most popular application. Cloud-native technologies are a new approach to developing and running workloads that are integrated into the cloud. Their primary role is to break down software into smaller, more manageable pieces and scale small areas of a complex infrastructure as needed without redistributing it from scratch.
According to the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, these technologies, coupled with robust automation, enable engineers “to make frequent, predictable changes with a high impact with minimal effort.”
Cloud Native can increase operational efficiencies while reducing the time to market for new services because the software is more decoupled from the main hardware and decompressed into smaller pieces, allowing for faster automatic updates.
Low-code platforms
Low-code automation platforms allow users with little programming knowledge to automate processes via graphical interfaces instead of using traditional computer programming. They also enable teams of engineers and IT professionals to reduce manual work and instead focus on core strategies to drive business growth. This trend has steadily increased and according to Gartner, will account for more than 65 percent of all app development functions by 2024. Likewise, around 66 percent of large companies will use at least four low-code platforms.
Benefits of low-code automation platforms include increased flexibility through reduced development times, lower costs of hiring talented developers, and better compatibility with other third-party modules and programming interfaces.
Please visit Exosite, one of our key technology partners offering access to a low-code platform for e.g. condition monitoring.
Digital twins
It's no longer a surprise that technologies that make it easier to work and maintain remotely are resonating best with manufacturers and automation professionals. Digital twins will become more and more established: more than 70 percent of manufacturers are expected to use them by the end of 2022 to carry out scenario analysis and process simulations.
According to the pioneer of simulation solutions CADFEM, digital twins can reduce maintenance costs by 30 percent, reduce technical defects by 75 percent and result in 45 percent less downtime.
This technology takes augmented reality and virtual reality to a new level by enabling manufacturers to monitor their operations in real time and take action to prevent downtime. A digital twin can be connected to a machine's sensors to display its parameters and report errors throughout its life cycle.
In addition, digital twins can be used to simulate programs for new processes and equipment before investing resources in their implementation. This saves costs and time and reduces material waste to support the development of smart, sustainable factories.
In 2022, technologies that serve the industry's need for digitization, remote working and faster implementation will see significant growth. At Lean.IQ, we strive to play an integral role in the evolution of automation technologies, delivering automation parts to the enterprise ecosystem as quickly as possible and educating and educating professionals on their automation journey.
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