2 AI, Simulation Software Lead Planned Investments
Q: Please indicate your company’s investment posture for the following IT-related technologies.
Already Invested
Will Invest in 12-24 months
Under Consideration
No Plans
Artificial intelligence
34.6
21.6
25.7
17.9
Augmented reality/virtual reality systems
35.6
10.6
27.4
26.2
Blockchain technology
8
8
35.4
48.5
Cloud computing
69.2
12
9.1
9.5
Digital Twin modeling and simulation software
27.8
21.1
25.3
25.7
Edge/Fog computing
25.9
15
20.9
38
Enterprise Resource Planning software
70.6
14.2
8.1
6.9
General data analytics software
72.5
15.1
9
3.2
High performance computing
31.2
10.4
20.4
37.9
Manufacturing Execution Systems
61.4
16.3
12.7
9.4
Product Lifecycle Management
50.2
13.6
21.9
14.1
Quality management software
65.1
12.7
12.3
9.8
Quantum computing
3.8
5.4
21.1
69.6
Supply Chain Management software
61.2
17.9
13
7.7
3 Internet of Things. 5G Top Networking Plans
Q: Please indicate your company’s investment posture for the following communications and networking technologies.
Already Invested
Will Invest in 12-24 months
Under Consideration
No Plans
Enterprise communication/collaboration platforms
90.5
3.6
4.1
1.6
Industrial Internet of Things
59
18
12.3
10.6
Mobile devices and platforms
72.3
9.6
11.7
6.2
5G networks
26.9
16.6
35.6
20.7
Social networking (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook)
77
4.5
6.9
11.4
Standard wireless networks (WiFi, Bluetooth)
89.8
5.2
2.4
2.4
4 Machine Learning, Predictive Maintenance in High Demand
Q: Please indicate your company’s investment posture for the following production technologies.
Already Invested
Will Invest in 12-24 months
Under Consideration
No Plans
3D Printing/ Additive Manufacturing
54.5
7.7
18.4
19.2
Automated vehicles/drones/ mobile robots
34.5
16
20.5
28.8
Collaborative robots
33.4
14.8
26.4
25.2
Factory floor industrial robots
51.6
13.2
14.8
20.2
Machine Learning
47.1
22.3
18.6
11.9
OE / Predictive Maintenance technologies
46.2
21.4
21.9
10.3
Plant Floor sensors
53.1
11.2
18.6
17
Plant Floor simulation / modeling)
31.2
18.1
29.6
20.9
Process control systems
67.9
10.7
11.9
9.4
Vision systems
55
16.2
12.9
15.8
5 Emphasis on Virtual Technologies Grows
Q: To what extent has the pandemic accelerated the adoption of technologies that can enable virtual working and remote monitoring of operations?
2021
2020
Significantly greater
37.9
29.4
Somewhat greater
47.7
49.1
No change
11.8
16.9
Less emphasis
1.2
4.4
Don’t know
1.2
0
Part 2:ADOPTION OF AI AND MACHINE LEARNING
6 Is AI Starting to Scale Across Factory Footprints?
Q: Where does your company stand today in adopting AI in plants and factories?
2021
2020
Developing awareness
15
14.6
Conducting research
16.6
23.8
Defining a roadmap
18.7
13.7
Implementing on a single-project basis
26.6
25.6
Implementing in all factories
7.5
3.6
None/no progress
9.5
12.8
Don’t know
5.8
5.5
7 Process Improvement, Supply Chain Advance in AI Applications
Q: What are the key application areas for AI and Machine Learning technologies in your plants and factories?
2021
2020
Automated Internal performance metrics and dashboards
40.8
40.3
CNC machining / adaptive control
14.5
18.3
Process improvement
70.8
61.4
Plant floor IoT analysis
27.5
23.8
Preventive maintenance
57.5
62.3
Production planning
33.3
34.8
Productivity and cost reduction
68.7
69.7
Quality improvement
55.8
55.9
Robotics
21.2
22.9
Suply chain management (performance & prediction)
41.6
30.2
8 For the First Time, A Majority Sees AI as ‘Game-Changer’ in 5 Years
Q: What is your current assessment of the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning, both today and in five years’ time?
TODAY
5 YEARS
Don't know
4.1
4.1
It will be a game-changer in production
15.8
54.1
It will be significant but not a game-changer
27.9
29.5
Not significant
8.3
0.8
Too early to tell impact
43.7
11.2
Part 3:TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT& IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS
9 More Adopt Roadmaps for M4.0
Q: Which statement best describes your company’s current approach to adopting a M4.0 technology roadmap or strategy?
2021
2020
A formal M4.0 roadmap has been adopted across the organization
33.4
21.3
Our M4.0 approach is informal and tactical
31.3
33.9
Some group-level processes exist, but they are not coordinated
17.2
18.4
No formal process / strategy exists; approach is reactive.
11.6
19.4
Don’t know
6.5
6.8
10 Cost Reduction, OpEx Continue to Dominate M4.0 Rationales
Q: What are the most important reasons your company invests in transformative M4.0 technologies (Select top 3 reasons)
Create true, sustained competitive advantage
41.8
Part of a strategic initiative to increase digitization
43.2
Reduce costs and improve operational efficiency
80.4
11 M4.0 Competitive Pressures Growing
Q: Where do you think your company stands in relation to its primary competitors’ adoption of transformative M4.0 technologies?
2021
2020
We are substantially ahead of our competitors
5.5
11.6
We are somewhat ahead of our competitors
27.4
28.1
We are about even with our competitors
32
33.9
We are slightly behind our competitors
21.8
13.5
We are substantially behind our competitors
3.7
4.8
Don’t know
9.3
7.7
12 Once Again, Legacy Systems Cited as Highest M4.0 Hurdle
Q: Using the scale below, how would you assess the following challenges related to adopting and using transformative M4.0 technologies? (Scale: low=low level of challenge; medium=medium level of challenge; high=high level of challenge).
Low
Medium
High
Assessing cost/benefit
18.1
47.9
33.9
Change management
15.4
48.1
36.4
Developing a cohesive M4.0 Roadmap for the organization
16.4
51.6
31.6
Ensuring security
14.4
45.3
40.1
Gaining knowledge of and evaluating options
24.1
53
27.7
Getting C-suite backing
48.8
37.5
13.6
Identifying trustworthy vendors
27.2
56.3
16.4
Migrating from or integrating with legacy systems
13
35.3
51.6
Measuring ROI
18.2
44.8
36.9
Planning and project-managing implementation
28.8
52
19
Training employees/ access to skills
16.7
49.7
33.4
Understanding the impact on organization, management
25.5
51.1
23.2
13 Slight Progress Reported in Managing Data
Q: How prepared is your company to organize, evaluate, and make decisions on the volumes of data that are or will be generated from greater connectivity of devices and equipment?
2021
2020
Well prepared
12.3
13.7
Moderately prepared
57.4
50
Poorly prepared
25.2
33.3
Don't know
4.9
2.9
Survey development was led by David R. Brousell, with input from the MLC editorial team and the MLC’s Board of Governors.
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