Linux is moving into efficient and flexible manufacturing

Red Hat Linux is taking another plunge forward – one few of us likely imagined. The company is ready to start breaking down the barrier between IT and OT (the operational technology that drives manufacturing), according to a blog from Francis Chow, vice president and general manager, edge computing and in-vehicle operating system at Red Hat.

The intent is to make manufacturing plants more efficient and more competitive in the global marketplace. Like Linux’s domination of supercomputing, this focus marks another very significant move forward for Red Hat Linux and maybe, in time, for other Linux distributions as well.

This news was delivered by Red Hat at the 28th Annual ARC Industry Leadership Forum, where the topic of accelerating manufacturing was a major focus. The trends covered by Chow include:

• Autonomous operations on the shop floor through a consistent platform approach, where software-defined “smart factories” will be able to turn single-function integrated systems into multiple-function systems and operate these systems from the cloud to the edge. This could involve automating quality control and more.

• Building modern distributed control systems. Process control systems can operate with even greater precision and efficiency by integrating with an edge computing platform and provide continuous manufacturing processes.

• A convergence of AI and edge technologies. AI is clearly making huge advances – especially in manufacturing – and will be running on a modernized, secure, scalable and manageable edge infrastructure. Because of Red Hat’s moves, this will also involve increased worker safety and sustainable product design.

• Getting the most out of your data with intelligent data services, with the potential for efficient and sustainable data-driven operations.

• A shift to private networks for advanced connectivity, with the expectation that many manufacturers will be turning to 5G networks for cost reduction, preventative maintenance and reduced time to market.

• Greater security and standardization – more standardization with a common platform. This will ensure consistent and reliable security capabilities that can help manufacturers manage security at scale. It will also involve a smaller “attack surface” and greater interoperability.

You can read the entirety of Francis Chow’s message at this URL: Red Hat announces manufacturing role planned for Red Hat Linux

This flexible manufacturing role promises a new and very relevant job for Linux, and Red Hat is surging ahead with it.