The manufacturing industry in North America is undergoing its fourth evolution into a high-technology, digitalized, and data-driven industry. This Industry 4.0 period began long before the COVID-19 pandemic affected global society but has been accelerated in response to many of the challenges associated with it. In this report, we examine and explore the current manufacturing industry in North America and the challenges and opportunities it faces as adoption of Industry 4.0 thinking, tools, standards, and processes becomes more widespread.
The manufacturing industry in North America is undergoing its fourth evolution into a high-technology, digitalized, and data-driven industry. This Industry 4.0 period began long before the COVID-19 pandemic affected global society but has been accelerated in response to many of the challenges associated with it. In this report, we examine and explore the current manufacturing industry in North America and the challenges and opportunities it faces as adoption of Industry 4.0 thinking, tools, standards, and processes becomes more widespread.
About the Event
If you could design your factory to be everything you wanted it to be, which technologies would you include? What would your throughput look like? And most importantly...do you have a secure and private network in place to help bring your plans to life?
Join us as we discuss how intelligent wireless infrastructure can accelerate your manufacturing operations and improve your security, reliability, scalability, and integration.
EVENT WILL START IN
With Keynote Presentation:
Building Resilient Manufacturing Ecosystems with Quantum Networks
Janet Rehberg
EPB
President | Strategic Initiatives Business Unit
Janet Rehberg leads the Strategic Initiatives Business Unit with responsibility for operationalizing longer-term strategies to position Chattanooga for the future through emerging opportunities.
With 20 years of leadership experience in the energy sector, her career reflects a depth of technical and operational expertise as well as a strong commitment to innovation, sustainable operations and community benefit. Before joining EPB, she served as Chief Strategy Officer and Vice President of Engineering for Tri-County Electric Cooperative in Aledo, Texas.
Rehberg holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tulsa and an MBA from Capital University. In
addition, she has earned numerous professional certifications including Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Demand Side Manager (CDSM) and Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach (EQI).
Rehberg is a long-standing member of the Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals, serving as president in 2014 and winning the organization’s Honorary Life Award in 2021. She has also served on numerous non-profit, community and professional boards and has been recognized as the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Project Mentor Match of the Year (2011) and as the Touchstone Energy Brand Champion in 2018.
Schedule of Events
OPENING
11:00am
Registration & Networking
11:30am
Welcome
Denise (Rice) Hall
President & CEO, Peak Performance Inc.
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KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
12:00pm
Building Resilient Manufacturing Ecosystems with Quantum Technology
Join us as Janet Reherg, President of Strategic Initiatives at EPB, explores the transformative potential of quantum technology in the manufacturing sector. Drawing from EPB's pioneering work in Chattanooga, known as "Gig City," Janet will discuss how high-speed, reliable quantum networks can enhance operational efficiency, improve data security, and enable real-time decision-making in manufacturing processes. This session will provide insights into the future of interconnected manufacturing environments and how businesses can leverage these advancements to stay competitive.
Janet Rehberg
President | Strategic Initiatives Business Unit, EPB
SESSION I
1:15pm
Securing the Future of Manufacturing from Cyber Threats
The manufacturing industry is increasingly reliant on technology and automation, making it vulnerable to cyber attacks. This presentation will consider the potential consequences of a cyber attack on a manufacturing facility such as production downtime, loss of intellectual property and damage to a company’s reputation. Hear examples of real-world cyber attacks on manufacturing facilities and the impact they hand on the companies involved. Discuss best practices for cyber security in manufacturing, including risk assessments, employee training and implementing security controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
Klint Walker
Cyber Security Advisor, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Breakout Session I :
1:45pm
Upgrading Legacy Systems in Manufacturing: Challenges, Strategies, and Success Stories
This breakout session focused on the complexities of upgrading and integrating legacy systems within manufacturing processes. We will explore the common challenges organizations face when modernizing outdated systems, including compatibility issues and data migration hurdles. Learn effective strategies for navigating these challenges. Real-world success stories will be shared, highlighting how others have successfully transformed their operations through strategic upgrades.
Becky Faith
Director of Business Development ; FocustApps
Breakout Session II:
2:05pm
Securing Your Industrial Network: Strategies for Resilience and Reliability
As manufacturing becomes increasingly interconnected, the need for robust security and reliability in industrial networks is more critical than ever. This breakout session will focus on approaches to network security, exploring best practices for protecting critical infrastructure against cyber threats. Attendees will gain insights into implementing secure communication, monitoring systems, and proactive maintenance strategies to ensure uninterrupted operations and data integrity.
Chan Gill
Vertical Market Manager- Factory Automation, Phoenix Contact
CLOSING
2:15pm
Closing Remarks
Denise (Rice) Hall
President & CEO, Peak Performance Inc.
2:30pm
Optional tour: PIE Innovation Center
Why Attend?
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Stay Up
to Date
with the latest trends and technologies. Make informed decisions about your own network infrastructure and ensure you are using the most effective and secure solutions.
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Learn from Industry Experts
who have experience and knowledge in the field. Gain insights into best practices, common challenges, and emerging trends.
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Network
with Peers
and build relationships with other professionals in the industry. Stay connected and informed about new developments and opportunities.
Connect with Potential Partners
and vendors who can help improve your network infrastructure and security.
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Gain
Insights
into how to improve your network infrastructure and security. This can help reduce the risk of cyber attacks and ensure your operations are running smoothly and efficiently.
Critical Network Concerns for Manufacturers
Cybersecurity
One of the biggest concerns for manufacturers is cybersecurity. Critical networks are often targeted by cybercriminals who seek to steal sensitive data, disrupt operations, or cause damage to equipment. Manufacturers need to ensure that their networks are secure and protected against cyber threats.
Scalability
As manufacturers grow and expand, their network infrastructure needs to be able to scale to meet their changing needs. Manufacturers need to ensure that their critical networks can handle increased traffic and data volumes without compromising performance or security.
Reliability
Manufacturers rely heavily on their critical networks to keep their operations running smoothly. Any downtime or disruptions can result in lost productivity, revenue, and customer trust. Manufacturers need to ensure that their networks are reliable and can handle the demands of their operations.
Integration
Manufacturers often use a variety of different systems and technologies in their operations. Integrating these systems and technologies into a cohesive network infrastructure can be challenging and requires careful planning and execution.
Smart Factory Institute Technology Partners
