Why Industry 4.0 Needs Dedicated Cloud Infrastructure

Description

This IDC Perspective explores why the Industry 4.0 digital transformation of the industrial world requires dedicated, private cloud infrastructure. While public cloud services offer broad reach and cost benefits, the unique requirements of industrial environments make private cloud solutions necessary for many organizations working in sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, construction, mining, agriculture, and warehousing. Essential requirements such as real-time processing, data sovereignty, operational technology (OT)/IT integration, operational resilience, and edge computing can only be provided by dedicated cloud infrastructure running near the industrial activity."The heavy use of operational technology combined with real-time control systems and immense data gravity makes private clouds uniquely suited for Industry 4.0 scenarios," explains Rob Tiffany, research director, Cloud and Edge Infrastructure Services at IDC.

Product Code: US52636724

Executive Snapshot

Situation Overview

How We Got to Industry 4.0
Critical Requirements of Industry 4.0 Environments
- Real-Time Processing and Ultralow Latency
- Data Sovereignty and Control
- Security and OT/IT Integration
- Operational Resilience and Availability
- Edge Computing Requirements
Technical Considerations for Industry 4.0 Cloud Infrastructure
- Network Architecture and Deterministic Performance
- Data Integration and Industrial Analytics
- Compliance with Industrial Standards and Regulations
- Legacy Systems Integration
Operational Benefits of Private Cloud for Industry 4.0
- Customization for Industrial Workloads
- Total Cost of Ownership Considerations
- Talent and Operational Alignment
Strategic Advantages of Private Cloud for Industry 4.0
- Intellectual Property Protection
- Vendor Independence and Ecosystem Flexibility
- Long-Term Stability for Industrial Systems
Implementation Models for Private Cloud in Industry 4.0
- On-Premises Private Cloud
- Hosted Private Cloud
- Industry-Specific Cloud Services
- Hybrid Architectures
Evolving Requirements for Industry 4.0 Infrastructure
- Increasing Edge Intelligence
- AI and Machine Learning Integration
- Evolving Regulatory Landscape
The Strategic Imperative of Private Cloud for Industry 4.0