The Technical Case for Mixing Cloud Computing and Manufacturing

Manufacturing has great potential for improvement through cloud computing. In the US, the growth of manufacturing will be more about technology and intelligence than about economics, as evidenced by several manufacturing companies that leverage cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and big data analytics. However, some companies are reluctant to make this move. A stepwise approach that spells out the cloud conversion approach with enough detail could provide them with a path to tactical and strategic success. This column outlines such an approach.