Introduction Manufacturing is entering a decisive decade. Rising cost pressures, volatile supply chains, talent shortages, and increasing customer expectations are forcing manufacturers to rethink how they design, produce, and deliver products. For mid-market manufacturers, the challenge is even sharper—how to modernize operations without the budget flexibility or risk tolerance of large...

Introduction: Why Smart Manufacturing Matters Today Manufacturing enterprises are under unprecedented pressure. Volatile supply chains, rising energy costs, labor shortages, sustainability regulations, and increasing customer expectations are converging at once. Incremental automation and isolated digital initiatives are no longer enough to keep pace. Smart Manufacturing & Industry 4.0 IT...