// ROBOTICS AND SMART FACTORIES TERM
Industrial Cloud
Cloud computing services specifically designed and optimized to meet the unique requirements of industrial applications, such as manufacturing and logistics. It offers secure and scalable infrastructure for industrial data.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
An industrial cloud is a specialized cloud computing platform offering scalable infrastructure, data storage, and services tailored for industrial applications, supporting IoT data ingestion, analytics, AI/ML workloads, and secure connectivity for operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) convergence in manufacturing.
BACKGROUND
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as 4IR, Industry 4.0 or the Intelligence Age, is a neologism describing rapid technological advancement in the 21st century. It follows the Third Industrial Revolution. The term was popularized in 2016 by Klaus Schwab, the World Economic Forum founder and former executive chairman, who asserts that these developments represent a significant shift in industrial capitalism.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Manufacturing cloud
- Industry cloud
- OT cloud
USAGE NOTE
Industrial clouds facilitate data sharing across geographically dispersed factories and enable advanced analytics at scale, supporting global operations.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Industrial Cloud.
Siemens offers MindSphere, a leading industrial IoT as a service solution built on cloud technology. It connects products, plants, systems, and machines, enabling the collection and analysis of industrial data to optimize manufacturing processes and create new digital services.
Microsoft Azure provides a comprehensive suite of cloud services for industrial IoT and manufacturing, including Azure IoT Hub, Azure Digital Twins, and AI/ML services, enabling companies to build secure, scalable, and intelligent industrial cloud solutions.
AWS offers a robust platform for industrial applications, providing services like AWS IoT Greengrass, AWS IoT SiteWise, and machine learning tools that help manufacturers collect, store, and analyze data from operational technology (OT) in the cloud to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.
Google Cloud provides a range of manufacturing solutions leveraging its global cloud infrastructure, AI/ML capabilities, and data analytics tools. These services enable manufacturers to connect factory assets, optimize production, and derive insights from operational data via the cloud.
PTC's ThingWorx Industrial IoT platform is a cloud-native solution designed for connecting, monitoring, and managing industrial assets. It provides tools for application development, advanced analytics, and augmented reality, enabling digital transformation in manufacturing through cloud connectivity.
Rockwell Automation integrates industrial control systems with cloud platforms to provide real-time operational intelligence. Their FactoryTalk suite includes cloud-enabled software for manufacturing operations management, visualization, and analytics, enhancing productivity and connectivity.
SAP offers cloud-based solutions like SAP S/4HANA Cloud and SAP Digital Manufacturing Cloud, providing enterprise resource planning and manufacturing execution capabilities that integrate operational data with business processes for real-time visibility and control.
GE Digital's Predix platform is an industrial IoT cloud platform designed for connecting machines, collecting data, and running analytics. It focuses on asset performance management and operational efficiency across various industrial sectors.