In today’s challenging economic climate, where surging energy prices, rising raw material costs, and low business confidence have put a significant strain on the manufacturing sector, manufacturers must think strategically to get ahead. Even small improvements in productivity, efficiency and engagement can have a significant impact on business success.
An often overlooked yet crucial area where these gains can be made is through better mobile connectivity. From Internet of Things (IoT) applications to improved cellular security systems, enhanced mobile connectivity can make a profound difference. It facilitates real-time applications, enables faster decision making and enhances profitability over the long term.
With more and more businesses committing to becoming ‘digital-first’ organisations to stay competitive, enhanced mobile connectivity is essential. Enhanced mobile connectivity is no longer just ‘nice-to-have’, it’s essential to increase productivity, drive profitability, improve organisational efficiency and meet long-term business goals.
Seamless Communication and Collaboration
A strong mobile signal ensures employees can communicate effectively across the factory floor, resulting in fewer mistakes, higher-quality output and increased customer satisfaction. Better communication means that delays in decision-making are minimised, and problems can be identified and resolved more rapidly. In addition, a recent study found that productivity can increase by up to 25 per cent if there is effective communication within a business.
Improved Business Continuity
An internet outage could have a significant financial impact on your manufacturing business. A strong mobile connection acts as a backup, ensuring seamless manufacturing operations, reducing downtime and minimising lost revenue. Many manufacturers rely on automated systems, which can grind to a halt in the event of an outage - making a secondary internet connection more vital than ever.
Enhanced Experience for Decision-Makers
Factory-wide connectivity means that important visitors and key stakeholders can access the internet across your premises without needing to log in, facilitating faster decision-making. Decision-makers can react quickly to changes in the production environment, identifying and resolving potential issues.
Security, Safety and Compliance
Mobile networks are considered more secure than WiFi due to their built-in encryption. The ways mobile connectivity can increase security and ensures regulatory compliance include:
- Allowing for SMS Time-based One-time Passwords (TOTPs).
- Greater security when contacting emergency services.
- Implementation of cellular security systems.
Internet of Things (IoT) Expansion
IoT is a key part of Industry 4.0, and IoT implementation is essential for manufacturers that want to maintain a competitive edge over their competitors. According to a 2023 Ubisense survey, more than three in five manufacturers (62 per cent) have embraced IoT technologies. Nowadays, many manufacturers rely on cellular networks to implement IoT rather than WiFi, due to cellular’s broader coverage, signal penetration and enhanced security. The most crucial use cases for cellular IoT in manufacturing include:
- Predictive maintenance systems.
- Automated production lines and industrial robots.
- Inventory tracking and monitoring.
Greater Efficiencies from 5G Technology
Better mobile connectivity means your factory can benefit from high-speed, low-latency 5G connectivity and real-time applications, such as predictive maintenance and improved quality control. Operate more efficiently by utilising cutting-edge technologies (such as IoT, AR and VR) and use the new generation of 5G technology (5G Standalone).
Prioritising Connectivity
By prioritising enhanced mobile connectivity, manufacturers can unlock new levels of efficiency and productivity, lowering operating costs and increasing product output quality. Whether through seamless communication, improved business continuity, or harnessing the power of IoT and 5G, strong mobile signal coverage is a fundamental pillar of modern manufacturing success.
As digital transformation accelerates, manufacturers that fail to upgrade their network infrastructure risk falling behind their more connected competitors.
Ben Poskaitis founder and director at NetCov.
