# Software Manufacturing Tools Cisco & Rockwell Started Full-Stack Software-Defined Manufacturing By Adam Harrie | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-08-24 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Full-Stack-Software References: [iottechnews](https://iottechnews.com/news/cisco-rockwell-it-ot-convergence-industrial-ai/)  [Cisco](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/honeywell-and-cisco) and [Rockwell Automation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manufacturing-execution-system) launched a Full-Stack Software-Defined Manufacturing reference design that links plant-floor operational technology (OT) with enterprise IT, featuring software-defined networking integrated with software-defined automation. The architecture creates secure data paths to move machine, sensor, and controller data into edge, data-center, and cloud environments for analytics and AI. The design builds on Cisco’s networking and Rockwell’s industrial platforms and CPwE heritage, supporting on-premises, hybrid, and multicloud deployments with edge computing. It includes network segmentation, access policies, [Industrial Threat Defense](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/AI-driven-industrial-security), and data-contextualization tools; Rockwell also highlighted integrations like GuardianAI and FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI for inspection and maintenance workflows. A demonstration site and training were launched in India in July to let manufacturers test the reference design. For manufacturers, the architecture reduces barriers to industrial AI by making operational data accessible for model training, inference at the edge, digital twins, and predictive maintenance. By combining networking, security, and edge compute, the reference design enables lower-latency, more reliable AI workloads while addressing interoperability and legacy-equipment challenges. Image Credit: Shutterstock/HJBC ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 42% | Activity: 49% | Freshness: 91% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/robots) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Software-defined Manufacturing:** Unified OT and IT architectures are reshaping factories by making production systems more programmable, interoperable, and ready for AI-driven optimization. - **Industrial Edge AI:** Localized compute for inspection, maintenance, and process analytics creates new value by reducing latency while keeping critical operational data close to machines. - **Secure OT Data Pipelines:** Segmented networks, access controls, and threat defense capabilities are enabling manufacturers to treat plant-floor data as a protected enterprise intelligence asset. ### Where This Applies - **Industrial Automation:** Automation providers can differentiate through integrated software, networking, and analytics platforms that simplify modernization across legacy production environments. - **Cybersecurity:** Industrial security vendors are positioned to expand as connected factories require specialized protection for controllers, sensors, machines, and edge systems. - **Cloud Computing:** Hybrid and multicloud infrastructure is becoming central to manufacturing transformation as companies link factory data with scalable analytics, AI training, and digital twins. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Additive Manufacturing Scaling](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Additive-manufacturing-scaling.md) - [Distributed Robotic Manufacturing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Distributed-robotic-manufacturing.md) - [AI-Guided Assembly Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cadonixs-smartbuild-platform.md) - [Digital Manufacturing Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prodesk.md) - [Industrial Cybersecurity Product Suites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cybersecurity-product-suite.md) - [Integrated Additive Manufacturing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Integrated-additive-manufacturing.md) - [Manufacturing Execution Software](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manufacturing-execution-system.md) - [Manufacturing Software Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Additive-Hybrid.md) - [Software-Defined Surface Vessels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mirai-robotics.md)