Key Takeaways

• NTT DATA has deployed private 5G networks across 50 Cargill processing locations, enhancing connectivity.
• The initiative supports Cargill’s move to cloud-based systems and advances its digital transformation strategy.
• Private 5G ensures reliable communication for operational efficiency, enabling the use of robotics and edge AI technology.

Private 5G Deployment Enhances Cargill Operations

NTT DATA, a leading supplier of private 5G networks, has implemented a private 5G infrastructure at 50 Cargill manufacturing and processing facilities, primarily in the U.S., with further expansions planned across Europe by 2026. This private 5G system creates dedicated mobile networks within specific industrial areas, addressing challenges where traditional wired networks and WiFi fall short, particularly in environments with extensive machinery and large production spaces that can disrupt wireless signals.

Cargill, a global player in agricultural processing and food manufacturing, benefits significantly from this deployment. Employees now utilize smartphones and rugged tablets to access vital enterprise applications and real-time data. Furthermore, this upgrade supports Cargill’s recent transition to a cloud-based version of SAP, known as 4/HANA, emphasizing connectivity’s critical role in the modernization process.

As manufacturing increasingly adopts connected devices and automation, reliable data communication becomes essential for maintaining efficiency in production workflows. NTT DATA’s private 5G implementation is significant, allowing Cargill to explore further automation initiatives, including robotics and artificial intelligence applications. Notably, at Cargill’s facility in Amsterdam, a quadruped robot named Spot the Dog has been introduced to conduct visual inspections and monitor safety concerns such as equipment overheating.

The large-scale deployment of private 5G necessitates a consistent networking solution across diverse environments within Cargill’s operations. NTT DATA enables a unified network that integrates seamlessly with Cargill’s core Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, thereby facilitating a coherent approach to security policies, device management, and digital tool deployment across various sites.

Robert Greiner, Cargill’s director of platform engineering, highlights this initiative as part of a broader digital transformation strategy. He noted that the partnership with NTT DATA has empowered Cargill to confidently advance its global digital initiatives, establishing a secure and scalable foundation for utilizing connected technologies, robotics, and edge artificial intelligence.

Shahid Ahmed from NTT DATA emphasized the success of the private 5G model in environments where conventional wireless networks have struggled to meet the demands of a multi-sector industrial enterprise. NTT DATA introduced its enterprise private 5G platform in 2021, combining comprehensive design, deployment, and managed operations under a cloud-based framework. This innovative approach marks a significant advancement in the capability of industrial communications and operational efficiency, illustrating the impact of private 5G technology in modern industrial settings.

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