Discovering what’s possible at Automation Fair 2023
Discover insights from the Omdia team's trip to Rockwell's Automation Fair 2023.
What does the skills shortage mean for the future of work?
On the move: AMRs in Modern Manufacturing
Resilient and AI-optimized supply chains
Data is the key to sustainability in 2024
AI in manufacturing – from skepticism to mass adoption
Fortifying cybersecurity in manufacturing
And on to Anaheim!
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The manufacturing sector is in a unique period, facing a unique set of circumstances and questions as it recovers from the impact of the pandemic and subsequent supply chain shock, reviews its triple bottom line impact to consider not just profitability but its environmental and social footprint. At the same time, it continues to deal with the ongoing challenges of an aging workforce, questions around the future of work. The focus on this has only elevated with the ubiquitous interest in AI and large language models (such as ChatGPT). However, with a growing focus on technology and the role of data and analytics in optimizing manufacturing there are also the subsequent concerns around cybersecurity.
These topics were front and center at Rockwell Automation’s 32nd annual Automation Fair #ROKevents by Rockwell Automation., which took place between November 6 and 9 at the Boston Convention Center, with over 11,000 industry professionals in attendance.
The theme of the event was “Discover What’s Possible” and consisted of a combination of keynotes, >325 role-based sessions, >500 hours of advanced training, >400 presenters. There was also a >500,000 square feet of exhibition space featuring over 120 interactive exhibits, a wide range of Rockwell Automation solutions and over 100 partners involved.
This Automation Fair felt like significant steps had been made in moving Rockwell Automation closer to its goal of transitioning from a hardware vendor to a solutions provider, influenced by the active acquisition’s strategy over the last few years and the subsequent integration of these businesses. This has facilitated the burgeoning breadth of coverage, which has extended from its roots in operations to other disciplines through a host of acquisitions and product releases including the acquisition of Emulate 3D (design), Plex (operations), Fiix (maintenance), and AVATA (supply chain), as well as its recent entry into logistics with the acquisition of Clearpath Robotics/Otto Motors, and moves to build out its services business through Kalypso and more recently, Knowledge Lens.
The following consolidates Omdia’s summary of the main topics of discussion at the show including skills shortages and the future of work, supply chain, sustainability, AI and cybersecurity.
