The Future of Industrial Reliability: Insights from SMRP 33 with Kevin Clark

Setting the Stage – Why SMRP Matters

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Meta Description: Discover why SMRP 33 is the must-attend event for reliability and maintenance professionals. Learn about the industry renaissance and why 2026 should be on your calendar.

The Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals (SMRP) conference has always been a cornerstone for industrial leaders, but this year’s 33rd edition in Fort Worth, Texas marked a turning point. Attendance surged, vendors jumped from 130 to 220, and the energy was palpable.

Kevin Clark of Nanoprecise summed it up perfectly: “This is a step change from last year. More vendors, more practitioners, and more people looking for real solutions.”

The Rise of RCM and Technology Integration

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Meta Description: Explore how Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) is evolving with AI and IoT, making it a powerful strategy for modern industrial operations.

Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) isn’t new—it dates back to the 1960s—but it’s experiencing a revival. Why? Because modern technology makes RCM smarter, faster, and more actionable.

Industry legends like Nancy Reagan are breathing new life into RCM, proving it’s not an outdated methodology but a dynamic framework that thrives when paired with automation and data analytics.

Data – The New Industrial Gold

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Meta Description: Learn why data is the new gold in industrial reliability and how edge computing and AI are transforming maintenance strategies.

Data has always been valuable, but in today’s industrial landscape, it’s platinum. Yet, there’s a catch: most legacy data was designed for humans, not machines. That creates clutter and inefficiency when feeding AI systems.

Edge computing is accelerating this shift by processing data closer to the source, reducing noise, and delivering contextual insights. The result? Less data, but better data.

AI, Trust, and Cultural Shifts

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Meta Description: Discover how AI is reshaping maintenance and reliability, and why trust and cultural change are critical for successful adoption.

Artificial Intelligence is transforming maintenance—but trust remains the biggest hurdle. False positives can flood CMMS systems with unnecessary work orders, damaging credibility overnight.

Kevin warned: “Cultural shift is sensitive. A few AI mistakes can undo years of progress.”

Looking Ahead – Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity

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Meta Description: Explore the future of industrial cybersecurity in the age of quantum computing and why proactive strategies are essential.

The conversation didn’t stop at AI. Kevin and Scott explored the looming impact of quantum computing on cybersecurity. While quantum tech isn’t mainstream yet, its arrival could upend encryption and expose vulnerabilities across industrial networks.