Welcome to the third installment of our ongoing conversation on Industrial Systems Engineering in the Era of AI. In this series, I’m joined by my good friend and serial entrepreneur Rick Bullotta to unpack the profound shifts AI is driving in the industrial world.

Our journey began in Episode 1, where we explored the historical evolution and foundational data challenges that have long constrained industrial operations. In Episode 2, we moved from problems to potential solutions, diving deep into the concept of the Industrial Data Fabric as the critical enabler for this new era. We laid the groundwork, discussing the need for openness, the limitations of traditional data lakes, and the shift in focus from assets to processes.

Now, with that foundation in place, we pivot from the theoretical to the practical. This episode gets to the heart of where immediate, tangible value is being created. We move beyond the hype surrounding large-scale infrastructure and generic AI platforms to focus on the agile, domain-focused startups that are translating AI’s potential into real-world industrial outcomes. These are the companies on the front lines—the "guerrilla innovators," as I’ve called them—who are demonstrating not just what AI can do, but what it is doing today to solve specific, high-value problems on the factory floor and beyond.

Would you like to be a guest on our growing podcast?

If you have an intriguing, thought provoking topic you'd like to discuss on our podcast, please contact our host Colin Masson at cmasson@arcweb.com or Our Producer Tom Cabot

View all the episodes here: https://thedigitaltransformationpodcast.buzzsprout.com

Craig Resnick and Mark Sen Gupta from the ARC Advisory Group host a discussion on the evolving landscape of functional safety in automation in the age of Digital Transformation. Joined by special guest Noah Greene, Product Marketing Specialist for Functional Safety from Phoenix Contact, the conversation delves into the critical role of safety devices, such as configured controllers, safety relays, and safety PLCs in enhancing operational resilience and productivity. The podcast explores how the convergence of smart technologies and digital transformation is driving the development of smart safety solutions, enabling better data collection and processing to improve safety and efficiency. Noah Greene shares insights on the implementation of safety systems in both machine and process industries, highlighting the importance of adhering to safety standards and leveraging advanced technologies, such as AI and machine learning to predict and mitigate risks.

Would you like to be a guest on our growing podcast?

If you have an intriguing, thought provoking topic you'd like to discuss on our podcast, please contact our host Colin Masson at cmasson@arcweb.com or Our Producer Tom Cabot

View all the episodes here: https://thedigitaltransformationpodcast.buzzsprout.com

In this episode, we'll dive deeper into the changes and challenges brought about by AI, particularly since the November 22 moment with ChatGPT. We'll explore how AI has impacted industrial systems engineering, data quality, and the utilization of massive amounts of data in factories and supply chains.
Introduction Let's start with the big picture. AI has been around for a while, but the renewed focus on data quality and the challenges of handling vast amounts of data have become more prominent. The November 22 moment with ChatGPT triggered a significant shift in how we approach AI and data.

Importance of Discovery One of the key aspects of an industrial-grade data fabric is the importance of discovery. Access to data, metadata, and data models is crucial for understanding and comprehending the information. This enables tooling, whether AI-assisted or analytics environments, to work effectively.
Normalization is another critical factor. Ensuring common data formats at the consumption layer, such as everything in degrees Fahrenheit, is essential for consuming, discovering, and transforming data. Multistream contextualization also plays a significant role in this process.

Data Storage and Manipulation Where does the data live? This is a separate issue that needs to be addressed. Whether the data is dumped into a data lake or handled ad hoc, the ability to manipulate data at cloud scale has seen significant changes. The technical obstacles are dropping, making it easier to bridge into source systems using well-described interfaces.
Overall, the changes brought about by AI have had a tremendous impact on industrial systems engineering. The focus on interoperability, open systems, and solving large-scale problems has become more prominent. The technical obstacles are getting easier to overcome, and the opportunities for using AI and data fabrics are exciting.

Let's continue the conversation and explore more about industrial-grade data fabrics and their role in the era of AI.

Would you like to be a guest on our growing podcast?

If you have an intriguing, thought provoking topic you'd like to discuss on our podcast, please contact our host Colin Masson at cmasson@arcweb.com or Our Producer Tom Cabot

View all the episodes here: https://thedigitaltransformationpodcast.buzzsprout.com

IEEE 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 and 6E represent major advancements in wireless technology, particularly for industrial environments, due to their incremental efficiency, scalability, and bandwidth. Key features like OFDMA allow multiple devices to communicate simultaneously on subdivided channels, reducing latency and improving spectrum use. Wi-Fi 6E introduces the 6 GHz band, significantly expanding available bandwidth and alleviating congestion. While private cellular network alternatives are increasingly popular, they are often more expensive and complex to implement. Wi-Fi 6E provides a cost-effective, reliable alternative that supports digital transformation initiatives like Phoenix Contact’s Digital Factory Now, enabling efficient data transport for AI, digital transformation, and automation.Learn more about the Innovative benefits of Wi-Fi 6 and 6E in Industry in this informative podcast.

Additional Resources are available at:

Industrial WLAN with Wi-Fi 6 | Phoenix Contact

Industrial and Outdoor Wireless LAN Market Size Forecast | ARC Advisory Group

Also feel free to reach out If you have any questions or would like further information about industrial Wi-Fi:

Danny Walters, Product Marketing Specialist for Wireless Products, Phoenix Contact USA

Danny Walters | LinkedIn

dwalters@phoenixcontact.com

Chantal Polsonetti, Vice President Industrial Network Infrastructure & Industrial Edge, ARC Advisory Group

Chantal Polsonetti | LinkedIn

cpolsonetti@arcweb.com

Industrial WLAN with Wi-Fi 6 | Phoenix Contact

Wireless LAN – the standard for wireless Ethernet. Benefit from the advantages of the new generation of Wi-Fi 6 in your applications.

Would you like to be a guest on our growing podcast?

If you have an intriguing, thought provoking topic you'd like to discuss on our podcast, please contact our host Colin Masson at cmasson@arcweb.com or Our Producer Tom Cabot

View all the episodes here: https://thedigitaltransformationpodcast.buzzsprout.com

In a recent ARC Advisory Group SPARC podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Steve Blackwell, Head of the Manufacturing Center of Excellence at Amazon Web Services (AWS). We dove deep into one of the most transformative shifts happening in the industrial sector today: Software Defined Manufacturing (SDM) in the Era of Agentic AI.

Would you like to be a guest on our growing podcast?

If you have an intriguing, thought provoking topic you'd like to discuss on our podcast, please contact our host Colin Masson at cmasson@arcweb.com or Our Producer Tom Cabot

View all the episodes here: https://thedigitaltransformationpodcast.buzzsprout.com

In this edition of the ARC Digital Transformation Podcast, we talk to Grant Vanderbrake and Arnold Offner from Phoenix Contact about a new technology called Ethernet APL (Advanced Physical Layer), which essentially brings Ethernet technology to the field device level at the physical networking layer. Ethernet APL is a great technology, and every major process automation vendor seems to be supporting it, but what about the cybersecurity implications associated with it? This podcast goes into the details of Ethernet APL and security, what users need to know, and how this technology could actually make OT security much more effective.

Find out more at Phoenix Contact's Website: https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-us/technologies/communication-technologies/ethernet-apl

Or the Ethernet APL Organization Website: https://www.ethernet-apl.org/

ARC Advisory Group is the leading technology research and advisory firm for energy, manufacturing and infrastructure. Our coverage of technology and trends extends from business systems to Industrial AI, product and asset lifecycle management, Industrial IoT, Industry 4.0, supply chain management, operations management, energy transition, and automation systems. Our analysts and consultants have the industry knowledge and the first-hand experience to help find the best answers to the complex business issues facing organizations today.

ARC’s global influence across industrial operations is unparalleled. It is driven by the passion and expertise of our analysts and consultants, who keep abreast of industry trends and developments through research and actively engaging with clients. ARC's analysts and consultants have spent most of their careers working with industrial companies and are truly passionate about helping companies achieve superior performance. ARC has 100 professionals worldwide with extensive, first-hand experience servicing a multitude of business issues, technologies, and vertical industries. Our offices are located in the US, Germany, Belgium, Japan, India, China, Singapore, and Brazil.

Would you like to be a guest on our growing podcast?

If you have an intriguing, thought provoking topic you'd like to discuss on our podcast, please contact our host Colin Masson at cmasson@arcweb.com or Our Producer Tom Cabot

View all the episodes here: https://thedigitaltransformationpodcast.buzzsprout.com

Join Craig Resnick, Vice President of the ARC Advisory Group, in a compelling discussion with Amit Bhatia, Distribution Channel Director at Schneider Electric, and Rakesh Jain, CEO of Rexel India. In this episode, titled Boosting Industrial Automation Growth: Importance of Specialized Distributor Partner Network, the podcast explores the pivotal role of industrial automation distributors and partner networks in shaping the future of manufacturing and industry.

The conversation highlights how companies are navigating modernization, addressing workforce challenges, and leveraging trusted partnerships to streamline operations and drive efficiency. Through Schneider Electric’s Alliance Partner Program, the discussion showcases how distributors, such as Rexel India, are unlocking growth opportunities, building technical expertise, and offering tailored solutions to meet customer demands in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Listeners will gain insights into strategies for improving operational resilience, adopting new technologies, and collaborating effectively within a partner ecosystem. Discover how these partnerships create measurable value for industrial manufacturers, from reducing downtime to optimizing processes. If you’re in the industrial automation space or work closely with distributors, this episode provides actionable takeaways to navigate the transformation of today’s industries.

Would you like to be a guest on our growing podcast?

If you have an intriguing, thought provoking topic you'd like to discuss on our podcast, please contact our host Colin Masson at cmasson@arcweb.com or Our Producer Tom Cabot

View all the episodes here: https://thedigitaltransformationpodcast.buzzsprout.com

For those who may not know him, Rick is a true titan in the industrial technology landscape. As a co-founder of Lighthammer (which evolved into SAP Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence) and ThingWorx (later acquired by PTC), Rick has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. His pivotal work has shaped connected systems, driven digital transformation, and advanced intelligent automation. I consider Rick a serial entrepreneur, a valued advisor to startups and investors, and a leading expert in industrial AI, particularly in advanced manufacturing and the crucial intersection of data-driven insights with industrial operations.

In our first discussion, we laid the groundwork by exploring the foundational data challenges Rick has encountered and tackled over his decades of experience – from the early days of connecting disparate systems on the factory floor to the rise of Industrial IoT and the evolving nature of industrial data.

Would you like to be a guest on our growing podcast?

If you have an intriguing, thought provoking topic you'd like to discuss on our podcast, please contact our host Colin Masson at cmasson@arcweb.com or Our Producer Tom Cabot

View all the episodes here: https://thedigitaltransformationpodcast.buzzsprout.com