Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT
The use of cloud technologies in industry has increased significantly in recent years. Thanks to cloud solutions, companies can access computing resources flexibly and in line with their needs, which is particularly advantageous when production requirements fluctuate. Public cloud systems offer a first point of contact, but questions about data security and data location often arise. Where are the servers located? Is my data being processed securely, or is it possibly being sent around the world?
That is why many companies rely on private cloud systems for sensitive and critical production data. These offer the advantages of public clouds – such as scalability and flexibility – but are located in close proximity to production, which meets security and latency requirements.
From theory to practice - how can companies benefit from cloud applications?
If the cloud is already close to production, can it be used directly for production applications? Integrating cloud technologies into the production environment poses unique challenges for enterprises because OT (operational technology) systems have different requirements than IT systems. Aspects such as latency, data volume, and fault tolerance are very different.
Thanks to new developments in cloud technology, it is becoming more and more realistic to use it for time-critical applications in the production sector. Deterministic communication technologies such as TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking) and DetNet (Deterministic Networking) make it possible to create stable and fast connections between the cloud and the shop floor. Optimizing the software stack also helps reduce the run time of critical applications.
The benefits of Factory Cloud at a glance
Cloud-based manufacturing enables significant increases in flexibility throughout the manufacturing process. Software can be rapidly deployed and managed as needed. When production volumes change, software-based solutions make it easy to adjust production. At the same time, computing resources are used only when they are needed, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
- Scalability and flexibility: Adjust to production fluctuations in real time
- Efficiency: Use resources only when needed, minimize costs
- Data security: Private and hybrid clouds provide increased security for sensitive data
- Streamline production: Faster implementation of production changes with cloud-based systems
- Future-proof: Ready to integrate time-critical applications with innovative technologies such as TSN and DetNet