Harnessing Wireless Technology to Improve Operational Efficiencies

Application of wireless technology is becoming more relevant to the industrial sector. With tighter margins and increased competition across the industrial sector, productivity is crucial. Wireless network implementation in the industrial sector promises efficient use of energy and materials along with lower production cost, system and infrastructure costs and longer equipment uptime. All these factors add to the potential of increased productivity with the use and implementation of industrial wireless technology.

According to Frost & Sullivan research, the global industrial wireless market is pegged close to US$350 million in 2006. Although it constitutes a fraction of the US$100 billion of the automation business, it is estimated to be the fastest growing segment with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% until 2011.

Satish Lele, Director of Industrial Practice at Frost & Sullivan, says, "There are incredible number of possibilities with wireless in the manufacturing and process environment, today. It is clearly seen by the automation companies as the next biggest growth engine. Most of them have already lined up an array of products and packages to ride this growth.

"The benefits include significantly lower installation costs, greater flexibility and improved operational efficiencies. Opportunity areas include asset tracking and real time location systems for personnel to respond to emergency situations. Automation suppliers are enthusiastic about being able to provide improved predictive maintenance capabilities and easier compliance to environmental standards," he added.

Yet the explosive growth in industrial wireless has not happened at the pace it was expected. The benefits in cost, access, mobility and connectivity are seemingly obvious, so there are some key challenges which would need to be addressed by the automation companies moving forward.

Posted to the site on 22nd October 2007