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Introduction A defining feature of today's technological world is the proliferation of data and connectivity in all devices. Advances in sensing, communication technology, and data analytics have completely redefined the way information is collected, shared, and understood. As these advanced technologies become more prominent, the industrial sector is seeing a marked transformation, thanks to the emergence of the digital factory—the integration of advanced sensing, real-time high-speed communication, and edge computing into all devices across the factory floor. Digital factories rely on a network of interconnected systems—including sensors, actuators, controllers, and cloud-based computing resources—to collect and analyze data in real time. Advances in hardware and software are providing operators with greater availability of data and better ways to interpret and analyze data, enabling new ways of approaching the factory floor. The underlying goal of the digital factory is to facilitate greater transparency and automation, from raw material to finished product, to ensure consistent quality and performance across all operations. Additionally, greater insights into factory operations help operators optimize operations to maximize productivity, which is particularly important for large-scale global operations that require high visibility to oversee geographically disaggregated operations. Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) is a leader in the digital factory space, offering thought leadership, products, and solutions that enable customers to make the digital factory a reality. This eBook highlights the characteristics of the digital factory, some of the major technological innovations that have been integral in the field, and ways Analog Devices can help customers develop digital factory solutions of their own. Mighty Guides make you stronger. Credible advice from top experts helps you make strong decisions. Strong decisions make you mighty. Reading a Mighty Guide is kind of like having your own team of experts. These authoritative and diverse guides provide a full view of a topic. They help you explore, compare, and contrast a variety of viewpoints so that you can determine what will work best for you. 4 Leading the Way to the Digital Factory