AI solutions from Zyxel Networks boost manufacturing efficiency

Manufacturers around the world are finding new efficiencies with Zyxel Networks' AI-powered solutions. The company's Nebula cloud solution, which offers centralised network management with features such as zero-touch provisioning and AI-powered monitoring, is used by nearly 60% of manufacturing companies exploring AI for better operational efficiency. This includes firms in a wide range of sectors, from textiles in Turkey to bike parts in Vietnam.

In recent years, Zyxel Networks has facilitated technological advancements in manufacturing facilities globally. These developments range from small, standalone factories to vast multi-location operations, encompassing a variety of industries such as furniture-making and meatpacking. The resulting improvement in connectivity has streamlined communication, data sharing, and real-time monitoring and control of production processes.

This heightened level of connectivity has significantly improved efficiency and financial performance. Production cycles have become more predictable, and downtime has been markedly reduced. Incorporating advanced technologies like IoT and AI has further optimised resource allocation, minimised waste, and enabled rapid adaptation to market changes. These innovations lead to higher quality products, enhanced customer satisfaction, and a stronger competitive stance in the market.

In navigating the challenges of adopting AI, smaller manufacturing companies often face barriers such as high infrastructure investment costs, talent shortages, and security concerns. Zyxel Networks aims to remove these obstacles by providing scalable and secure networking solutions that facilitate the integration of AI, allowing even small factories to remain competitive.

Manufacturing sites traditionally present networking challenges due to harsh environments that affect network reliability and uptime. Zyxel Networks addresses these issues with powerful solutions like the Nebula cloud networking system.

Nebula’s zero-touch provisioning and centralised management features allow administrators to set up devices quickly and monitor entire networks from a unified interface. Its AI-powered capabilities, such as wireless health monitoring, auto-heal connectivity, and client onboarding journey analysis, support real-time monitoring and troubleshooting.

Nebula supports over 100 network devices, including WiFi, seven access points, multigigabit L3/L2/desktop switches, security firewalls, and 5G mobile routers. These meet the diverse connectivity needs of manufacturing sites, including those in remote locations where WiFi coverage is limited.

Zyxel Networks’ solutions are trusted across various industries and regions, including Asia, EMEA, and the Americas. The company supports automated sorting and packaging processes, maintaining continuous production lines. Zyxel Networks also provides robust protection against cyber threats such as ransomware, ensuring the integrity of critical operations and data.

For example, the textile manufacturer Baltal Group in Turkey has seen improved efficiency across its distributed sites thanks to Nebula. “With Nebula, we can manage the networks of our factories wherever they are, all from a single interface,” noted Kadir Öztürk, IT Audit Specialist. The infrastructure has allowed the creation of separate VLANs and facilitated super-fast 10G connections across the entire network.

In Italy, tape maker Rotogal has adopted the complete Nebula suite to connect and monitor precision machinery across its 25,000-square-metre facility. Meanwhile, a chemical company in India has chosen Nebula to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for over 1,200 nodes across nine production facilities.

Similarly, SR Suntour Cycling, an international bike parts manufacturer, resolved surveillance network challenges at its Vietnam production site using Zyxel Networks solutions. “Network speed and stability improved significantly,” said Junhao Chang, IT Manager at SR Suntour Cycling. “The new network ensures real-time surveillance, reduces footage backup time from several hours to just a few minutes, and makes network management much easier.”