The manufacturing sector in 2025 has long been defined by machinery alone; it’s increasingly being driven by data, intelligence, and automation.
As factories evolve into even smarter, more connected ecosystems, the role of the IT function becomes increasingly central to ensuring innovation scales, performance improves, and resilience is built from the ground up.
Today’s manufacturing IT leaders recognise that strong foundations are essential. Infrastructure readiness has never been more critical because without resilient, secure environments that can keep pace with business demands, even the most advanced technologies will fall short of their full potential.
Here’s a look at four critical technologies shaping the manufacturing landscape and what infrastructure you need to make them work.
AI in manufacturing: From hype to factory floor
AI is rapidly becoming a foundation of modern manufacturing. In fact, Hanwha highlights that 89% of manufacturers plan to integrate AI into production networks, positioning AI as the cornerstone of modern factories, signalling that AI is no longer emerging; it’s essential.
From predictive maintenance that analyses sensor data to prevent machine failure, to quality control through real-time vision systems, AI is already driving major gains in:
- Uptime
- Operational efficiency
- Product quality
- Worker safety
What infrastructure do you need?
To unlock these benefits, manufacturers require:
- High-performance edge computing to process AI insights close to the source
- Scalable cloud connectivity for centralised model training and updates
- Unified data architecture to integrate sensor, production, and business data streams
If your infrastructure can’t support AI inference at speed or integrate data across the production lifecycle, the full value of AI remains untapped.
Planning for AI isn’t just about picking the right tools – it’s about making sure your infrastructure can actually support the way AI will be consumed across your organisation. That means thinking ahead about how models will be trained, deployed, and scaled, and how data will flow between edge devices, the cloud, and your core systems.
At WhiteSpider, we’ve achieved Cisco’s AI-ready Infrastructure Specialisation, a recognition held by only 10 partners nationwide. It means we’re well-placed to help you navigate these questions and design an infrastructure strategy that’s ready for AI adoption, not just today, but as your needs evolve.
Automation & robotics: Building the smart factory
Automation and robotics are redefining how goods are made in 2025. Robots now handle repetitive or hazardous tasks, detect anomalies, and self-adjust production parameters in real time to increase throughput and reduce risk.
Smart factories go further—combining AI, IoT, and data analytics to create interconnected production environments that adapt instantly to change. Think real-time material tracking, automated rerouting of inventory, and digital twins that replicate factory assets for constant optimisation.
According to McKinsey, digital twins can reduce downtime by up to 50% and boost productivity by 20–30%.
What infrastructure do you need?
To support robotics and automation at scale, manufacturers need:
- Ultra-low latency networking to connect machines, sensors, and controllers in real time
- Resilient WiFi and mobility (5/6/7G) coverage across factory floors for wireless robotics and mobile assets
- Real-time analytics platforms that collect and act on operational data continuously
- Industrial cybersecurity measures to protect automated systems from downtime and breach
Without these layers in place, automation can’t deliver its promised return on investment – or scale securely.
Reshoring & supply chain resilience: Bringing production closer to demand
Ongoing geopolitical volatility, trade policy shifts, and post-pandemic disruptions continue to challenge global supply chains. As a result, manufacturers are actively investing in reshoring to reduce dependence on overseas suppliers and increase local responsiveness.
Reshoring not only reduces risk but also improves agility, shortens lead times, and creates local jobs. But bringing operations closer to home introduces new demands on infrastructure.
While not directly referencing reshoring, a Washington Post forum highlights industry leaders from Samsung and Siemens discussing investments in domestic manufacturing, industrial AI, and digital twins – all key for reshoring and resilience.
What infrastructure do you need?
To successfully reshore and build a more resilient supply chain, IT leaders should focus on:
- Cloud-based supply chain platforms to provide end-to-end visibility and real-time coordination
- IoT-enabled tracking systems to monitor material movement across domestic networks
- Interoperability between systems, sites, and suppliers to avoid data silos
- Scalable data centres or hybrid cloud environments to flex with production shifts
The speed and flexibility needed for localised production depends entirely on how well your systems connect across multiple operations and sites.
Labour shortages: Scaling with fewer hands-on deck
The manufacturing workforce is shrinking, particularly in regions affected by population decline or stiff competition for skilled labour. Many manufacturers operate in areas where finding qualified workers is tough, and where competing industries offer more attractive salaries or career paths.
These shortages impact:
- Output reliability
- Production quality
- Cost control
To keep lines moving and scale efficiently, many are turning to technology as a workforce multiplier—not just robotics, but automation software, remote monitoring, and AR/VR-based training tools.
The Manufacturing Leadership Council survey reveals that 90% of manufacturers view digital tools as critical to supply chain resiliency, and 78% are already redesigning processes using digital technologies, demonstrating how digital infrastructure is central to adapting amid labour pressures.
What infrastructure do you need?
Supporting a leaner workforce with more automation and remote enablement requires:
- Reliable connectivity and mobility solutions to enable remote diagnostics and support
- Digital training platforms hosted on secure, scalable cloud infrastructure
- Unified data access across roles to improve collaboration and visibility
- AI-driven workforce planning tools to manage capacity proactively
When infrastructure can’t keep up with these tools, operational strain increases, and talent retention suffers.
Final thoughts: Future-ready manufacturing starts with future-ready infrastructure
From smart automation to resilient supply chains, these technologies show how innovation drives efficiency and resilience on the production line. But the real question isn’t if they create value—it’s whether your infrastructure is ready to support them at scale.
As an IT leader or manager, your strategic priorities continue to include:
- Modernising your network and compute layers
- Standardising your data architecture across OT and IT environments
- Strengthening security as your attack surface grows
- Building agility into your infrastructure to adapt to shifts in labour, demand, and emerging technologies
At WhiteSpider, we help manufacturers turn their strategic priorities into reality through smarter IT infrastructure strategies. Working closely with manufacturing IT teams, we modernise, scale, and optimise operations with flexible, secure, and future-ready infrastructure. Start a conversation with our infrastructure specialists today.
Check out this case study where we supported a European dairy manufacturer with the deployment of their SD-WAN solution.