Much of the technology needed to bring this more flexible future to life already exists in some form in a variety of industries. Electric vehicle technology in the automotive industry and fleet technology in the commercial transportation sector will offer valuable lessons for developing and managing fleets of automated vehicles on the factory floor.

Advancements in the energy sector will provide lessons about energy transmission and the electrical infrastructure that will power the elements of decentralized manufacturing architectures, even as manufacturers increasingly embrace renewable power sources that are making conventional power connectors obsolete. Sensors in the transportation industry and elsewhere will help provide the intelligence that

equipment needs to automate tasks and make decisions, while data intelligence will help ensure predictive maintenance takes place on an optimal schedule to minimize downtime.

Not all manufacturers will be ready to leap into a decentralized factory floor at the same time. Different applications have different needs and requirements. At TE, we are helping our customers prepare for this future by upgrading their manufacturing infrastructure to accommodate greater flexibility wherever possible. Building intelligence into connectors and meeting evolving power requirements efficiently will prepare manufacturers to adopt the right solution when the time is right.

Next-Generation Operational Excellence

From McKinsey & Company: "The time is now to revisit the foundations of operational excellence, while applying technology, digital, and analytics to accelerate operations and make them faster, smarter, and more resilient. Centered on continuous improvement and high performance to drive productivity and resilience, operational excellence across an entire organization is built on a shared understanding and commitment to mission and values for all stakeholders."