Vercel’s Next.js 14 brings with it a host of improvements in performance. Notably, it boasts a 53% reduction in local server startup times and a remarkable 94% increase in code update speed thanks to the implementation of Fast Refresh.

Over 5,000 “next dev” integration tests are successfully passing using Turbopack, the underlying Rust engine powering Next.js. This advancement promises developers a more efficient and dependable performance when employing “next dev –turbo.”

The feature Server Actions enables developers to define asynchronous server functions, offering a versatile set of capabilities, including data revalidation, route redirection, and cookie management, among other functions.

“Having great performance globally and personalization shouldn’t come at the cost of complexity”, Lee Robinson, VP of developer experience at Vercel, and Tim Neutkens, engineering manager for Next.js, noted in a blog post.

Vercel has separated blocking and non-blocking metadata, and they are currently phasing out a number of metadata options. This deprecation includes viewport, colorScheme, and themeColor, which will be replaced by a set of fresh metadata alternatives.

In addition to the Next.js 14 release, Vercel has unveiled an exciting addition to their educational offerings. This include Next.js Learn, which delves into a variety of topics. The course covers everything from the Next.js App Router and Tailwind CSS to techniques for optimizing fonts and images, as well as insights into creating layouts and pages, and much more.

Used by powerhouses like HOK and Gensler, AXYZ’s anima 5 software is one of the fastest ways to bring dynamic 3D/4D people into a visualization. Featuring over 2,500 scanned characters, anima helps designers add high-fidelity digital humans that walk, run, laugh and move to their scenes, giving projects a realistic quality that immerses viewers in a design. With onboard tools for tailoring loops and AI crowds, there’s no better way to bring believable movement into a visual project.

“AXYZ’s state-of-the-art assets give life to projects, so they actually connect with people. Anyone that’s been in architecture for a while knows how impactful digital humans are to the design and marketing process. 4D people is the next step in our journey”, said Christian Lang, Chaos CEO.

Increasing the breadth of digital people has been a top request from customers, particularly in architecture. With the acquisition of anima, Chaos can meet the needs of its customers while setting up new ways to make high-fidelity 3D/4D human character assets more accessible than they’ve ever been. Chaos is currently planning how to integrate the software with existing products like Chaos V-Ray and Chaos Corona, whose users already use anima on a daily basis.

“When it comes to visualization, the Chaos products are unmatched. By combining forces, we can move fast and create the type of products that make designers excited to go to work. The best is yet to come!”, says Diego Gadler, CEO and founder of AXYZ design.

As architects introduce new ways to explore sustainability, biophilic urbanism and more in their designs, giving stakeholders a sense of how different people might use these spaces will only become more important.

Key growth driver
The market is driven by the increasing demand for compact automation solutions. Most large industrial manufacturing companies that have access to huge capital have fully automated their production processes. However, switching to automated processes is a challenge for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) due to budget constraints. Consequently, most SMEs are looking for small form factors that can provide the same functionality and features of large devices while consuming less power. The availability of PLCs enables SMEs to use control-level automation at a low cost without compromising on performance.

Supplier Landscape
The global PLC market is dominated by established international suppliers such as Mitsubishi Electric, OMRON, Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric and Siemens. These players have a dominant share despite the numerous competitors present in the PLC market. Rockwell Automation specializes in the discrete industry while Emerson Electric specializes in the process industry. Vendors are focusing on new product development and customization of PLCs to meet end-user requirements. Some suppliers are also looking for new growth opportunities by offering PLCs for new applications. For example, ABB offers the AC500 PLC for high-precision control of photovoltaic (PV), concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. With the changing demands of end users, suppliers are also addressing cybersecurity issues by offering cybersecurity solutions. Technavio identifies the following key vendors in the market.