The global automation market will resume to grow after two years of recession, and the global manufacturing technology market is generating new trends. According to the latest data released by IHS, the manufacturing industry in 2017 showed seven major trends, analysts have given their forecasts.

    1. The global automation market will grow contrarian
The global market for industrial automation equipment (IAE) will grow at a rate of 1.5% in 2017. With many equipment suppliers' revenue declining in 2016, there are uncertainties in a large number of equipment investment markets. The outlook for growth in different industrial sectors will be different. It is expected that recovery of growth in 2017 will remain difficult, mainly due to the impact of low oil prices and the reduction of sales of heavy machinery.

    2. Cloud computing analysis will be transferred to edge calculation
In 2016, a number of cloud platforms were launched around the world to support IOT services in manufacturing. Remote cloud analysis services have obvious advantages such as scalability and cost, but users are still worried about the consequences of network security. IHS expects that internal cloud systems and " edge " analysis will expand in 2017, re-educating market will make company more confident and the remote cloud will provide good support.

    3. Upgrade automation better than manufacturing outsourcing
Since 2014, the advantages of overseas factories have been further weakened by the impact of the changes of exchange rates, transportation costs and the shortness of trade agreements. IHS expects that more U.S. manufacturers will invest in automated manufacturing in 2017, using tax incentives and skilled labor to increase revenue rather than outsourcing production.
 
    4. IT and OT integration will become a new battlefield
To achieve the integration of IT and OT, cooperation with software company is the automation company’s future development route. Some automation companies acquired software company last year to expand their smart manufacturing portfolio by consolidating them. IHS predicts software company will become the target of automation companies' competition in 2017, and the acquisition and cooperation will accelerate.

    5. Equipment market will be further consolidated
2017 will be a year to add and consolidate markets with a few devices such as the market consolidation of motors, generators, turbines and generator sets. For market leaders, they will still choose to maintain or even expand their market share, and the market growth in 2017 is expected to remain weak.
 
    6. The connection standard will prevail
As the number of end users increases, the opportunities for industrial IOT systems to connect to the market will be magnified and new connectivity standards are likely to come. It is estimated that in 2017 the OPC-UA technology architecture and TSN time-sensitive network standards will bring new standards for future connectivity.
 
    7. Artificial intelligence utilization rate of plant will grow
In 2017, robots with connectivity and awareness will continue to lead smart manufacturing. As AI technology advances, industrial robots will become smarter and will be able to sense, learn and make their own decisions.