Data is the lifeblood driving the decision-making engine of today’s manufacturing. As the amount of available data grows exponentially, more companies are realizing that market leadership hinges on the ability to process this valuable information. However, many manufacturers lack the networking power to drive these engines.
A number of enterprises have turned to private 5G in search of enhanced security, performance, speed and reliability to address this networking gap. In fact, analyst firm Analysys Mason predicts that the global market for private LTE/5G will grow at an annual rate of 48% until 2027, with the manufacturing sector leading early adoption.
The opportunity of private 5G is even more appealing with the availability of Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum, promising faster and more affordable network deployment. Yet, in order to optimize their return on investment (ROI), there are a number of key decisions that manufacturers should make early in the planning process before implementing a private wireless network.
As manufacturers embrace Industry 4.0, increased operational agility throughout the organization is critical. The maturity of 5G technology has introduced the option of deploying a wireless network with low latency that rivals wired networks, with greater security, capacity and coverage range than Wi-Fi.
More importantly, the use of a private 5G network enables secure end-to-end data handling across IT and manufacturing systems. This improved data management is an important aspect of the Industry 4.0 transformation, particularly at the edge of the network where the internet of things (IoT) data resides.
Many legacy data management systems required specific expertise to access and analyze data, and companies often failed to benefit from insights buried inside myriad devices. Today’s integrated 5G networks, however, can automatically send data to the cloud securely. With this enhanced visibility and the help of open, best-of-breed software, employees in various parts of the organization can easily glean data insights in real time without needing to know where the data resides or how to access it.
Moreover, a private 5G network over the CBRS band helps keep this data secure. When relying on a public 5G network, on the other hand, an organization could be exposed to cyberattacks each time they share data with a nearby cell tower.
Before proceeding to implement a private network, it’s critical that business and IT decision makers take the time to think through all the aspects involved in network management.
To determine how to build and manage the network, let’s begin with the intended use cases. While not every future application may be known, start with an evaluation of initial network plans, allowing room to grow as technology evolves.
Perhaps the network will be used to improve quality through artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive maintenance, or to achieve productivity gains with a fleet of automated guided vehicles (AGVs). Likewise, the ability to create real-time virtual simulations, or digital twins, using data shared via IoT connectivity is an appealing opportunity for manufacturing optimization. These applications require an emphasis on low latency and reliability to reduce downtime, delays and mishaps.
For many enterprises, a central rationale for private 5G is increased security. This may involve closed-circuit cameras with facial recognition. Or, a network could be designed to protect employees’ safety, such as monitoring areas with IoT-connected devices to identify chemical spills and alert personnel, reducing accidents and liability costs.
Once the applications are determined, the next phase involves planning the build out. With today’s disaggregated networks, there are many options for standards-compliant, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware for the radio, gateway, switch and 5G core. This open ecosystem approach enables a simple, cost-effective evolution to add features or capacity in the future.
Beyond hardware, an important consideration is management software. To maximize speed, performance and flexibility from the core to the edge, a 5G network management system should support end-to-end automation and intelligence to seamlessly tie together disparate components.
Planning the network technology to be used is a great start. To achieve the best possible ROI, however, consider how the network will be supported throughout its entire lifecycle.
In fact, the total cost of operations and management across the network lifetime is typically about four times the cost of acquiring and deploying the infrastructure.
The best approach is to simplify and modernize network management from the start. Yet, as 5G radio access network (RAN) technology becomes increasingly virtualized, network operations become more complex. Plus, with industrial automation, AI and other new manufacturing models, the stakes for reliability, security and quality get higher.
Therefore, some enterprises prefer to engage a managed service provider to handle day-to-day administration. By relying on network experts, not only do manufacturers mitigate risk, but internal staffing resources can remain focused on the company’s primary business priorities.
Manufacturing doesn’t stand still. As the needs of business continually evolve, flexibility is key to preparing for the future. With a carefully planned private 5G network, manufacturers can achieve the security, performance and mission-critical reliability they need to capitalize on valuable data, make better decisions and move forward with confidence.
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