Connectivity Without Compromise: How SMC Corporation Built a Future-Ready Manufacturing Network with Lumen

SMC Corporation isn’t just manufacturing components—they’re engineering the backbone of industrial automation. As one of the world’s leading automation providers, SMC powers production lines across North America with precision and reliability. But as the industry evolved toward smart factories, IoT-driven workflows and cloud-based systems, SMC faced a critical question: how do you modernize a legacy network without disrupting operations that run 24/7?

“Downtime costs thousands per hour,” said Monica Fyfe, IT Manager for Infrastructure and Development at SMC. “Our challenge was modernizing without disrupting production.”

Scaling a Legacy Model for the Cloud Era

SMC’s mission is clear: deliver scalable automation and operational efficiency. But their legacy MPLS circuits and fragmented voice systems weren’t built for the velocity of modern manufacturing. Every second of latency impacted production, logistics and customer delivery. And as cybersecurity threats intensified and data volumes surged, the stakes grew higher.

“We manage everything from fiber and wireless infrastructure to cloud and data center systems,” Fyfe explained. “Our job is to keep manufacturing, engineering and business operations running efficiently. That means uptime isn’t optional—it’s everything.”

With over one million square feet of production space and distributed branch locations, SMC needed a network that could support real-time data, scale bandwidth on demand and maintain continuity across every site. The goal wasn’t just modernization—it was transformation.

Building a Cloud-Ready Network with Lumen

SMC partnered with Lumen to accelerate its digital transformation using a unified network strategy designed for resilience, scalability and simplicity. “We chose to continue with Lumen because they already know our environment and have consistently supported our network operations,” Fyfe said. “Their ability to scale bandwidth, support hybrid cloud workloads and provide reliable connectivity made them the most practical choice.”

SMC moved to Lumen® Dedicated Internet Access to deliver stable, uncontended bandwidth across production sites, replacing costly MPLS circuits that struggled to keep pace with cloud adoption. Lumen® Network-as-a-Service brought flexibility, allowing SMC to scale bandwidth in near real time based on operational demand. Cloud peering optimized Zoom Phone performance, significantly reducing latency and improving voice quality for distributed teams. EBAS failover helped ensure uptime during circuit issues, while Lumen® Voice Complete simplified voice infrastructure, removing hardware dependencies and aligning with SMC’s shift toward cloud collaboration tools.

“Lumen’s ability to adapt quickly has been critical for us,” Fyfe noted. “Their flexibility reduced risk and allowed us to complete time-sensitive projects without impacting daily operations.”

Proven Results: Better Reliability, Speed and Operational Efficiency

The impact was immediate. SMC saw fewer circuit-related incidents, faster resolution times and more consistent performance during peak manufacturing hours. Voice quality improved dramatically thanks to cloud peering, and centralized support streamlined troubleshooting—freeing IT resources to focus on innovation instead of connectivity issues.

“Dedicated Internet Access has been a significant improvement for our operations,” Fyfe said. “It provides stable, high-capacity connectivity that supports both manufacturing and customer-facing teams.”

By consolidating connectivity and voice services under one provider, SMC gained more than a network—they gained a foundation for growth, resilience and customer experience. Every infrastructure decision now supports their ultimate goal: delivering automation solutions reliably, consistently and at the pace their customers expect.

Future-Ready for Smart Factories and Emerging Tech

Modernization isn’t just about solving today’s challenges—it’s about preparing for tomorrow. With a foundation in the Lumen Network, SMC is accelerating its roadmap for IoT, AI and robotics. Sensor-driven data collection will improve predictive maintenance and real-time quality checks while advanced analytics will optimize processes and strengthen supply chain forecasting. Plus, low-latency networks will power automated guided vehicles and adaptive manufacturing systems.

“By modernizing our infrastructure now, we’re preparing SMC for more intelligent, more efficient factory workflows,” Fyfe said. “This is about building an environment where emerging technologies can be deployed rapidly and reliably.”

With a $130 million investment in IT infrastructure and a clear vision for automation and sustainability, SMC is positioning itself as a forward-thinking leader in industrial automation. Together with Lumen, they’re creating a resilient, scalable foundation for global connectivity and long-term growth—one that empowers innovation without compromise.

To learn more about SMC Corporation’s transformation, read the full customer success story.

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