--- title: "Smart factories are connected factories" url: "https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/industries/manufacturing/" description: "Discover how smart factories use reliable, low-latency IIoT and Ericsson Private 5G to boost efficiency, flexibility, and safety in Industry 4.0. Experience seamless automation, real-time data, and connected machines driving the future of manufacturing." content_type: "page" breadcrumb: "[Home](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/) › Industries › Manufacturing" gated: false --- # Smart factories are connected factories The drive to greater efficiency, flexibility, and productivity with less waste needs highly reliable, low latency IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) connectivity. [Talk to an expert](#responsive-form) ## The connected factory of tomorrow Automation is not new. Robots have been deployed in factories for decades. What sets the smart factory apart is that it is a hybrid cyber-physical system that drives previously unattainable levels of productivity, efficiency, sustainability, and flexibility. ![The smart factory is a connected factory](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/blt3f41e6a72276e3a5/69f0dea5443672f17e5deb16/Manufacturing-warehouse-overhead-875x380.png) ### The smart factory is a connected factory Smart factories are not a collection of unconnected machines. They are an integrated whole with two-way communications. Data coming from the factory floor is analyzed and used to control the machines. And some of those machines are on the move. Wires don’t cut it. ![Reliability is essential and low latency is key](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/blt7fdf8634d2188af3/69f0dea3626f3a1202ce0530/Manufacturing-warehouse-875x380.png) ### Reliability is essential and low latency is key If the data flow is interrupted autonomous machines shut down and production stops. With autonomous machines requiring real-time control smart factories have often relied on wired connections. Wi-Fi just doesn’t offer the performance needed to support critical real-time IIoT. In environments where humans and machines interact, low latency is a vital safety feature. Machines that can injure humans need to stop in real-time. Ericsson Private 5G offers a better way to connect the smart factory. ## Delivering results for factories ![Autonomous machines and cobots](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/blt9c29e173ac9fdd9c/69f0de9d43d2c913fa1635e7/Manufacturing-autonomous-675x380.png) ### Autonomous machines and cobots Ericsson Private 5G provides the reliable, low latency connections demanded by autonomous machines. ![Predictive maintenance](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/blt2d32307cf6c068df/69f0dea0cee299831c91e346/Manufacturing-monitoring-Industry-675x380.png) ### Predictive maintenance Data collection and analytics makes repairs before failure possible. ![Agile factories](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/blt59328d9bab0c3b16/69f0de9c6edf9db5af35f128/Manufacturing-assembly-line-675x380.png) ### Agile factories Reliable, secure, high-speed connectivity is required to remotely control heavy equipment. ## Data-driven execution Smart factories are changing the way products get made. The shift is dramatic enough to be called “Industry 4.0,” the fourth industrial revolution. When you step into the newest smart factory, it looks much like any factory built in the last 30 years. A large, well-lit space, rows of machines, people here and there. What makes the smart factory different is what you can’t see. An invisible web of connections tying together machines, people, and analytics. The factory is no longer a collection of completely separate machines. It is an integrated whole, with each machine, each process, optimized for peak performance. Smart factories typically work on three levels: ![Data acquisition](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/blt297a439aeba9a828/69e54ab63a275419cd0a50f8/combined-data-analytics.svg) ### Data acquisition Smart factories are data driven. Data acquired from different kinds of sensors is transferred for processing via IIoT connectivity. ![Data analysis](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/bltbb38dca72ff128e6/69e54ab369e506152518ddb1/artificial-intelligence-2.svg) ### Data analysis AI and machine learning are often used to optimize processes. ![Intelligent factory automation](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/bltede748ba250db279/6a3959af23ed060ea8e01ecc/robotics.svg) ### Intelligent factory automation Autonomous machines and collaborative robots (cobots) can be remotely controlled in real time. ## Continued learning Ericsson Enterprise Wireless is an Industry 4.0 pioneer. We have 5G factories around the globe that give us an ideal environment to trial new technologies in real working production environments. Learn about how manufacturing automation, robots, and IoT are evolving in the private 5G era. [Read blog](/blog/how-manufacturing-automation-robots-and-iot-are-evolving-in-the-private-5g-era/) ### Let’s meet ... your needs *(Contact form)* ![Manufacturing robot 675x380](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/blt9dedd82a03d25a2b/69f0dea2801e66c272a15f69/Manufacturing-robot-675x380.png) ## Related resources ### Different solutions for different use cases Different environments and use cases call for different technical solutions. Ericsson has the broadest portfolio. [Learn more about Enterprise 5G](/products/enterprise-5g/) ### Fast, flexible, and scalable Reliable, secure wireless connectivity throughout the factory. [Learn more about Private 5G](/products/ericsson-private-5g/) ### Meet demanding IIoT performance requirements IIoT requires high reliability and in many use cases low latency and high bandwidth. Ericsson Private 5G can get you there. [Learn more about IoT solutions](/use-cases/iot/)