Manufacturers today are facing enormous pressure to drive growth, increase operating margins and keep pace with the speed of innovation, all while maintaining sustainable practices. Industry 4.0 solutions promise increased worker safety and efficiency, faster and more accurate quality inspection, and even predictive maintenance. But existing Wi-Fi or ethernet networks in a manufacturing facility may not be feasible, robust or secure enough. Enter private 5G. Private 5G is more than just a faster network. It is a game-changer for the manufacturing industry, enabling new levels of connectivity, intelligence, and automation. With private 5G, manufacturers can achieve lower latency and connect more devices, machines, and applications. Private 5G combined with edge compute and AI applications opens up new possibilities for data-driven insights, real-time feedback, and remote control, as well as new use cases such as augmented reality and robotics.
However, deploying and managing private 5G networks and edge computing is not a trivial task. It requires a high level of expertise, security, and flexibility, as well as integration with existing IT systems and processes. That's why Microsoft has developed Azure private MEC, a turnkey solution that simplifies and accelerates the deployment of private 5G networks on the Azure cloud platform. Azure private MEC provides a fully managed, secure, and scalable platform that allows manufacturers to deploy and operate their own private 5G networks, with full control over their data and applications, delivering real-world benefits to leading manufacturers around the world. Here are two examples of how Azure private MEC and our partners are helping manufacturers leverage 5G for improved outcomes.
Pegatron: Accelerating digital transformation with 5G and edge computing
Pegatron is a global leader in electronics manufacturing, producing products such as laptops, smartphones, and gaming consoles. Pegatron is using Azure private MEC to accelerate its digital transformation and enhance its competitiveness. By deploying Azure private MEC, Pegatron has created its own private 5G network that covers its entire factory, enabling high-speed and low-latency connectivity for its devices and machines. This allows Pegatron to leverage edge computing to run data-intensive and time-sensitive applications on the factory floor, such as quality inspection, predictive maintenance, and inventory management.
With Azure private MEC, Pegatron also benefits from the security, scalability, and manageability of the Azure cloud platform. Azure private MEC provides a unified and consistent platform that integrates with Pegatron's existing IT infrastructure and systems, as well as with other Azure services, such as Azure IoT Central, Azure Stream Analytics, and Azure Synapse Analytics. Pegatron is optimizing its operations, increasing productivity, and reducing costs, while gaining new insights and capabilities from its data and devices.
Watch this to see how Pegatron is using Azure Private MEC to accelerate its digital transformation with 5G and edge computing.
Weavix: Enhancing worker safety and efficiency with 5G and AI
Weavix™ is equipping front line workers with wearable technologies and solutions to improve performance. Using the walt™ smart radio, every frontline worker has complete access to each other, their office teams and a global community of workers. Their Internet of Workers™ platform helps to reduce downtime, expand enterprise-wide collaboration, optimize efficiency, improve safety measures and transform your workforce. By using Azure private MEC, Weavix provides low-latency and high-reliability communication, as well as secure and scalable data processing and storage. Azure private MEC also allows Internet Workers to easily integrate with other Azure services, such as Azure IoT Hub, Azure Machine Learning, and Azure Cognitive Services, to enhance its capabilities and functionality. With Azure private MEC, Weavix delivers a comprehensive and innovative solution that helps manufacturers to improve worker safety and efficiency, while reducing costs and complexity. Watch this video to see how OCI is leveraging Azure private MEC and weavix Internet of Workers to transform manufacturing.
If you want to learn more about how Azure private MEC can help you to leverage 5G for your manufacturing needs, join us at Hannover Messe 2024, the world's leading trade show for industrial technology. We will be showcasing Azure private MEC and other Azure solutions for the manufacturing industry at our booth, as well as hosting several speaking sessions on topics such as 5G, AI, and IoT. You can also request a meeting with our experts to discuss your specific challenges and opportunities, and how Azure can help you to achieve your goals.
Microsoft will be in Hall 17, Stand G06. Don't miss this opportunity to discover how Azure Private MEC and partner solutions can help you transform your manufacturing with 5G:
Live demos:
We will have a live private 5G network using Nokia RAN, running in our booth, where our partners will showcase their modern connected applications.
- Unmanned Life has built the leading software platform for the seamless orchestration of autonomous robotics.
- Weavix will demo their walt™ smart radio, proving every frontline worker with complete access to each other, their office teams and a global community of workers.
Speaking Sessions:
Rebecca Thompson, Partner Director, Product Management Microsoft Azure for Operators will be joined by industry experts as we explore “Understanding the ROI of a 5G-enabled factory”.
- April 25, 2024 3:00 – 3:20 PM in the Microsoft theater, across from our booth in Hall 17, Stand G06
- April 26, 2024 11:20 - 11:40 PM on the 5G and Industrial Wireless Stage, Hall 14. Stand H06
Learn how Microsoft is helping organizations embrace 5G with modern connected applications:
- Visit the Azure private MEC product page for additional resources.
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