Manufacturing industry shows seven major trends in 2017

2017 will be the first year of manufacturing. With the launch of a series of macro policies such as China's Smart Manufacturing 2025 Strategy and Smart Manufacturing Development Plan (2016-2020) in 2016, for the manufacturing industry in 2017, Destined to be an extraordinary year. According to the latest data released by IHS, there are seven major trends in manufacturing development in 2017, and analysts have given their forecasts.
1. The global automation market will grow against the trend In 2017, the global industrial automation equipment (IAE) market will grow at a rate of 1.5%. In 2016, many equipment suppliers' revenues declined, and there are uncertain factors in many equipment investment markets. The growth prospects of different industrial sectors will be different. It is expected that the recovery of 2017 will remain difficult, mainly due to the formation of low oil prices and the reduction of sales of heavy machinery.
2. Cloud computing analysis will shift to edge computing In 2016, many cloud platforms were released worldwide to support the services of the Internet of Things in manufacturing. Remote cloud analytics services have obvious advantages such as scalability and cost, but users are still concerned about the consequences of network security. IHS expects that the internal cloud system and “edge” analysis will expand in 2017, and the re-education market will lead the company to become more confident, and the remote cloud can provide good support.
3. Manufacturing outsourcing is not as good as upgrading automation Since 2014, due to exchange rate changes, transportation cost growth and short-term trade agreements, the advantages of offshore factories have been further weakened. IHS expects that more American companies will choose to invest in automated production in 2017, using tax incentives and skilled labor to increase revenue, rather than outsourcing production.
4. The integration of IT and OT will become the integration of IT and OT in the new battlefield. Cooperation with software vendors is the future development route of automation enterprises. Some automation vendors acquired software vendors last year to expand their smart manufacturing portfolio through integration. IHS expects that software vendors will become the target of automation companies in 2017, and acquisitions and cooperation will accelerate.
5. The equipment market will further consolidate 2017. It will be a year of increasing and consolidating the market through some equipment, such as the market integration of motors, generators, turbines and generator sets. For market leaders, they will still choose to maintain or even expand their market share, and market growth in 2017 is expected to remain weak.
6. Connection standards will prevail As the number of end users increases, the opportunities for industrial IoT systems to connect to the market will also be amplified, and new connection standards are likely to arrive. It is expected that the 2017 OPC-UA technology architecture and TSN time-sensitive network standards will bring new standards for future connectivity.
7. The artificial intelligence usage rate in the factory floor rises in 2017. The robots with connectivity and perceptual capabilities will continue to lead the development of intelligent manufacturing. With the advancement of AI technology, industrial robots will become more intelligent and able to perceive, learn and do it themselves. decision making.