From AMQP through Blockchain and Hadoop to Zigbee - Just what do these terms mean?

Don't be confused and befuddled by the changing terminology of Industry

The year 2021 was a pivotable one in the world of manufacturing! The Covid 19 vaccinations are rolling out across the world. A sense of optimism started to take hold hold that life will return to “normal” within the following months. After a few stops and starts a normality of sorts has returned.

Nevertheless global supply chains appear more fragile than ever before. A towering cargo ship, as long as the Empire State Building is high, blocked the Suez Canal, stopping traffic in both directions. Estimates are that the cost of interrupted trade was $10 billion (€9.80 b) per day. A worldwide shortage of semiconductor chips is still effecting automotive manufacturers everywhere – production has thus slowed down. Several new variations of Covid-19 appeared to jolt the optimism but nonetheless face-to-face event have returned. In China particularly the policy of "zero-Covid" has also created supply problems.

And then in February the disastrous invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated manufacturing not to mention ordinary living with inflation being pushed to unseen levels since the 1980s. It has also led (especially in Europe) to a speedier planning for, and adoption of more green friendly energy generation.

The decision of Great Britain to exit the European Union is another game changer the effects of which are still largely unknown especially in the area of technical and manufacturing standards.

All these events are accelerating the re-shoring movement to locate manufacturing close to to customers. Smart Manufacturing, sometimes called Industry 4.0, promises customized products created with less waste. New business models and new smart products further change and create opportunities for those with bold visions.

We are all learning new aspects of manufacturing and communications not to mention cybersecurity. Frequently we are confronted with terms and acronyms and sometimes we are unsure what these mean or signify.

"Smart Manufacturing Terms You Need to Know!"* is recent publication available in paper or e-format.  Smart Manufacturing incorporates terms from the telecom, consumer electronics, and other industries onto the plant floor and even seasoned professionals are wondering "what does it all mean?". Compiled by Mike Nager, a noted Control & Automation Engineer, this useful compendium should serve as a reference to Smart Manufacturing's terminology. Many terms that predate the concept of Industry 4.0 but are still crucial to enabling it. And then there are the "new" terms. These are accompanied with useful illustrations. 

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 * “Smart Manufacturing Terms You Need to Know!” - Mark Nager; An Industrial Insights Publication.

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