3 Real-World 5G and Edge Use Cases in Manufacturing

The integration of edge computing and 5G networks hasn’t made a major impact in the manufacturing marketplace just yet, but it will.

Manufacturers are attracted to 5G’s ability to create secure, software-defined networks that combine high bandwidth and performance with unmatched flexibility, and to edge computing’s highly available, easily managed platforms. This irresistible combination could be the missing link for creating the truly integrated and intelligent supply chain that will improve manufacturing efficiency.

As reported in Manufacturing.net, a wide range of industries are poised to capitalize on 5G capabilities and edge computing, including:

1. Oil and Gas

Edge computing technology can be used for remote pumping and distribution sites, connected through 5G networks to a main automation system. This helps with the monitoring and communication of pipelines to identify irregularities and discrepancies in data in real-time. Thus allowing automation control systems to respond immediately to take action against problems. While many of these sites currently have limited forms of connectivity, such as cellular or satellite, this type of infrastructure would need to be updated to handle the data volumes required for 5G.

2. Food and Beverage

The ability to monitor environmental controls, such as temperature, while food and beverage items are in transit is a tremendous use case for edge/5G deployments. Getting data for items onboard refrigerated trucks, utilizing 5G connection and sending it for analysis on the edge allows for real-time, automatic control. This process can help ensure the quality of perishable products, therefore reducing food loss. This valuable information can then be analyzed and used to further improve the system over time.

3. Consumer Goods Manufacturing

5G can help replace centralized production analytics with distributed edge systems connected to supply partners via a private network. The advent of appliance-like edge platforms with integrated 5G connectivity will make it easy and cost-effective to include smaller, less technologically sophisticated suppliers, creating a truly intelligent, end-to-end supply chain. Or imagine a use case where edge data from a retail location reveals where your product appears on the shelf in relation to other products. This level of insight could help optimize your merchandising strategy with the retailer to improve sales.

How Will Your Industry Make Use of 5G and Edge?

Explore 5G and edge computing for your industry with IEEE. The IEEE 5G training program, developed by industry experts, is coming soon to the IEEE eLearning Library. Be among the first to access it when you subscribe to the eLearning Library today.

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Resources

Fryer, John. (23 Jan 2019). Edge Computing Meets 5G: Rethinking the Intelligent Supply Chain. Manufacturing.net.