The 1920s saw tremendous leaps forward in industrial operations. Spearheaded by Henry Ford, factories moved to assembly line production, facilitating the mass production of cars and all manner of consumer goods. Mechanization became widespread and electric power supplanted steam power, both markedly increasing productivity. Factory workers themselves would have to wait for workplace progress, however, as they continued to sweat away in unsanitary, often dangerous working conditions. But that too would change. 

While the advances of the 1920s helped build the world we live in and provided the foundation of manufacturing standards for many decades, the 2020s promise to fundamentally change factory operations for all time. Technology, including artificial intelligence, is making operations faster, more accurate, and safer for companies and their personnel in many regions.  

Here we’ll take a brief look at the ways the Internet of Thing (IOT) and big data are revolutionizing industrial operations and what it means for manufacturers. 

The Smart Factory Takes Over 

A smart factory is a manufacturing facility that uses advanced technology, interconnected systems, and intelligent automation to improve efficiency, productivity, and flexibility in production. Internet-connected computers are used in conjunction with complex, precise, often robotic machinery to deliver these results. Smart factories are a key component of the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, wherein digital technologies are integrated into the manufacturing process. 

Smart Factory Drivers 

Factory machines, once operated entirely by human hands, can today gather and assess information and make informed decisions autonomously during the production process. Here’s how smart factories achieve this: 

The Internet of Things (IoT) 

The manufacturing industry faces ongoing challenges to enhance efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness. The IoT has emerged as a viable solution for these concerns. A network of physical objects outfitted with sensors for data collection and exchange, the IoT facilitates the optimization of manufacturing processes and decreases downtime. It also offers manufacturers opportunities to devise innovative revenue streams and business models, strengthening their competitiveness. 

Big Data 

Big data refers to information that organizations compile and explore for insights and use in projects involving machine learning, predictive modeling, and other advanced analytics applications. Systems dedicated to processing and storing big data have become commonplace in factories, complemented by tools facilitating analytics applications. Manufacturers can harness big data to enhance their production processes, reduce waste, forecast demand, simplify supply chain management, and plot optimal delivery routes. 

Optimize Your Career Potential With an Industrial Technology Degree 

Learn the latest advances in the industrial world and build new expertise and credentials that you can use to advance your career in a related field. The University of Texas Permian Basin offers two AACSB-accredited degree programs—available online exclusively at this UT system institution—designed to help you do both: 

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)  

Our BSIT empowers you with a functional understanding of fundamental concepts and abilities essential for overseeing industrial operations in any organization. Throughout our program, you’ll acquire the expertise to address intricate engineering, design, and technical challenges. 

See a program overview, potential career paths and salaries, and requirements here. 

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Industrial Technology (BAAS-IT) 

If you’ve already earned an Associate of Applied Science degree, continue your education with us and earn a BAAS in Industrial Technology. Our program will provide you with a practical understanding of essential management principles, optimization theory, supply chain management, and the competencies required to address industrial and technical challenges within your organization. Enhance your knowledge and resume with an optional 12-credit online undergraduate certificate in petroleum technology. 

See a program overview, potential career paths and salaries, and requirements here. 

Why Online Matters 

You have a life outside your university education. Our online learning format can enable you to keep your professional and personal commitments while earning your degree. You can log in to your UTPB online program from just about anywhere in the world and access our asynchronous lectures to complete assignments on your own schedule. We don’t require any campus visits. You’ll still be able to connect with faculty and classmates—even in real time—using a variety of online communication tools. 

Ready to apply? Start here. 

Sources: 
https://www.britannica.com/technology/automotive-industry/Ford-and-the-assembly-line
https://www.techtarget.com/searcherp/definition/smart-factory
https://tulip.co/glossary/what-is-a-smart-factory-and-what-it-means-for-you/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/09/28/how-iot-is-transforming-the-manufacturing-industry/?sh=7b8a781975d7
https://www.techtarget.com/searchdatamanagement/definition/big-data