Private 5G and edge computing: a perfect match for manufacturing
Private
5G
is
the
next
evolution
of
networking
for
mission-critical
applications
used
in
factories,
logistics
centers
and
hospitals.
Private
5G
is
the
next
evolution
of
networking
for
mission-critical
applications
used
in
factories,
logistics
centers
and
hospitals.
In
fact,
any
environment
that
needs
the
reliability,
security
and
speed
of
a
wired
connection
combined
with
the
movement
of
people,
things
and
data.
The
element
of
movement
is
often
a
factor
in
Industry
4.0
digital
transformation –
and
that’s
where
private
5G
shines.
Private
5G
is
deployed
as
an
extension
of
an
organization’s
WAN.
It’s
fast,
secure,
reliable
and
has
low
latency.
You
can
rely
on
it
to
transmit
data.
But
if
you
don’t
have
a
computing
resource
at
the
edge
where
the
data
is
collected
to
create
actionable
intelligence
in
real
time,
you’re
missing
out
on
revolutionary
possibilities.
Edge
computing
brings
out
the
real
potential
of
private
5G
Bringing
managed
private
5G
together
with
managed
edge
computing
enables
businesses
to
analyze
situations
in
the
now
–
no
more
waiting
for
data
to
be
collected
(often
a
slow
process)
and
sent
to
a
data
center
to
be
processed
first.
In
manufacturing,
this
combined-platform
approach
quickly
delivers
the
right
information
to
where
decisions
have
to
be
made:
the
factory
floor.
This
has
implications
for
everything
from
an
evolutionary
increase
in
productivity
and
quality,
to
greater
flexibility
and
customization.
Organizations
also
have
to
control
data
sovereignty,
ownership
and
location.
Private
5G
can
protect
data
by
ensuring
that
all
traffic
remains
on-premises.
While
private
5G
is
a
powerful
tool,
use
cases
make
it
exciting
If
you
switch
to
private
5G,
it
helps
to
avoid
Wi-Fi
access-point
proliferation
as
well
as
blind
spots
in
monitoring,
as
asset-based
sensors
can
collect
and
transmit
huge
volumes
of
data
quickly,
and
we
can
achieve
indoor-positioning
accuracy
of
less
than
one
meter.
It’s
also
a
much
simpler
exercise
to
reconfigure
connectivity
between
devices
and
improve
the
timing
and
synchronization
of
data
feeds
from
sensors.
Last
year,
Cisco’s
Strategic
Execution
Office
ran
a
study
on
private
5G
in
collaboration
with
Deloitte,
titled
“Vertical
Use
Cases
Offer
Development”,
which
delves
into
the
main
applications
of
private
5G
through
use
cases.
They
found
that
the
highest
demand
for
private
5G
is
in
the
manufacturing,
logistics
and
government
industries.
Their
findings
match
our
experience,
as
these
are
the
sectors
in
which
NTT’s
Private
5G
and
Edge
as
a
Service
are
most
in
demand.
Moving
from
broad
themes
to
specific
applications
The
study
identified
four
themes:
enabling
hybrid
connectivity;
activation
and
policy
setup
for
varied
sensor
profiles;
advanced
intelligence
with
private
5G
and
the
edge-computing
stack;
and
integrated
app
and
infrastructure
to
enable
business
outcomes.
NTT’s
experience
has
taught
us
that
these
themes
can
be
translated
into
five
main
areas
of
application:
-
Group
wireless
communications
(push-to-talk)
enable
workers
to
communicate
across
locations,
with
real-time
location
tracking. -
Private
5G
supports
augmented
reality
and
virtual
reality,
allowing
for
self-assist,
work-assist,
and
remote-assist
capabilities. -
Private
5G
makes
real-time
connectivity
and
control
possible
for
autonomous
guided
vehicles. -
Computer
vision
for
automatic
video
surveillance,
inspection
and
guidance
is
faster
and
more
efficient
on
a
private
5G
network. -
Connected
devices
can
remain
reliably
and
securely
connected
to
the
enterprise
network
throughout
the
work
shift
without
relying
on
Wi-Fi
or
portable
hot
spots.
Exploring
the
difference
5G
will
make
in
manufacturing
The
study
also
explores
how
private
5G
can
optimize
assets
and
processes
in
manufacturing,
assembly,
testing,
and
storage
facilities.
Private
5G
allows
for
faster
and
more
precise
asset
tracking,
system
monitoring,
and
real-time
schedule
and
process
optimization
using
location
and
event
data
from
sensors
and
factory
systems.
The
research
provides
two
examples
of
private
5G
use
cases
in
factories:
-
Factory
asset
intelligence:
Traceability
from
parts
to
product,
with
increased
sensor
enablement
across
manufacturing,
assembly
and
testing
sites -
Dynamic
factory
scheduling:
Closed-loop
control
and
safety
applications
enabled
by
real-time
actuation,
sensor
fusion
and
dynamic
process
schedules.
As
we
continue
to
explore
the
potential
of
private
5G,
it
is
clear
that
this
technology
has
the
power
to
transform
the
manufacturing
industry
and
pave
the
way
for
a
more
efficient
and
effective
future.
To
find
out
more
about
the
use
cases
private
5G
unlocks
and
how
they
can
offer
business
benefits,
download
NTT’s
white
paper:
Smart
manufacturing:
accelerating
digital
transformation
with
private
5G
networks
and
edge
computing.
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