Every day, manufacturing teams balance delivery commitments, quality escapes, inventory constraints, and the realities of ageing assets. Many have piloted an IoT proof-of-concept here, a dashboard there, and wondered why the gains did not scale. This book addresses that moment. It is written for the people who make things and keep them running, professionals who know their processes intimately and want technology to assist rather than complicate.
Digitalisation can appear to be a wall of terminology. This book takes a different path. In clear, plain language, it explains how a living digital thread connects design, planning, production, and service; how edge-to-cloud systems and closed-loop digital twins turn data into timely action; how computer vision, collaborative robots and autonomous mobile robots, and AR/XR work instructions elevate human performance; and how composable MES, PLM, and automation enable change to scale safely and sustainably. No hype, only what works in real facilities.
The book presents concise, candid case studies from factories comparable to yours, then distils them into patterns that can be reused. It provides annotated reference architectures, value scorecards, and practical checklists, as well as tools to move from pilots to production while maintaining momentum. Throughout, it keeps people at the centre: building capability, reshaping roles, and making sustainability measurable, from energy-aware scheduling to Scope 3 visibility, because progress that does not endure is not progress.
Whether you are an operations leader, plant or maintenance manager, manufacturing or controls engineer, data and AI practitioner, solution architect, or SME owner, this book meets you at your current stage. Read it cover to cover, or consult the chapter most relevant to your immediate priorities. In either case, you will find a clear path from first proof-point to site-wide adoption.
Improving the way things are made remains among the most meaningful endeavours. Start where you are, use what you have, and take the next right step. The factory of the future is not elsewhere; it is the one you will build next.