Cloud Revolution in Manufacturing: Exploring Benefits, Applications, and Challenges in the Era of Digital Transformation
Umar Sunusi Umar, Muhammad Ehsan Rana
Abstract
This study investigates the profound impact of cloud computing on the manufacturing industry, accentuating its potential benefits and versatile applications. The study meticulously explores adoption trends, backed by real-world case studies, and evaluates the appropriateness of diverse cloud service and deployment models within manufacturing. Key cloud features, including scalability, availability, automation, efficiency, and collaboration, are dissected for their empowerment in the manufacturing domain. Furthermore, a critical review of leading cloud service providers, namely AWS, Azure, and GCP, elucidates their features geared towards enhancing performance, fostering innovation, and driving transformation in manufacturing. The research advocates for AWS as the prime recommendation due to its extensive service offerings and dominance in machine learning, a pivotal aspect of manufacturing evolution. Concurrently, the challenges intrinsic to cloud adoption in manufacturing, particularly concerning security, privacy, and management complexities, are scrutinized. Despite these challenges, the study asserts that cloud computing stands as a transformative force, steering the modernization of manufacturing operations toward increased efficiency and innovation.