Cisco and Rockwell Automation are advancing a new software-defined manufacturing architecture designed to connect industrial operational technology (OT) with enterprise IT, edge computing and cloud environments.
The architecture aims to make data from machines, sensors, controllers and production systems more accessible for analytics and AI applications, while maintaining secure data pathways across industrial environments.
Key applications include predictive maintenance, edge AI, digital twins, cloud-based engineering and industrial cybersecurity. The approach also supports on-premises, hybrid and public-cloud environments.
A major focus is IT/OT security, with network segmentation, access controls, threat detection and secure remote connectivity designed to protect increasingly connected industrial systems.
The bigger shift is clear: industrial AI is moving closer to the factory floor, where real-time operational data can drive faster decisions, predictive maintenance and more autonomous manufacturing.
