Building a Smart(er) Factory by implementing Process Analytics 4.0 solutions
As Industry 4.0 concepts continue to be implemented, ?Smart Factories? that rely heavily on data to be more efficient and adaptive are realized. Petabytes of data flood into the control rooms of Smart Factories. However, getting valuable data that can lead to actual process improvement can be challenging. Process Analytics 4.0 introduces new modernizations such as Process Analytical Technology (PAT) to provide high-quality data and guide critical business decisions.
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Industry 4.0 and Process Analytics 4.0
Industry 4.0 (the Fourth Industrial Revolution) is the current automation and data collection movement in the manufacturing sector. The heart of Industry 4.0 focuses on the concepts of connectivity, automation, system integration, and big data, to name just a few.
By implementing Industry 4.0 solutions, manufacturers can increase their efficiency, productivity, and profitability while remaining competitive and improving the customer experience. In a study completed by McKinsey & Company, it was noted that across industries, a 15–30% improvement in labor productivity and a 10–30% increase in throughput could be observed if Industry 4.0 solutions are successfully implemented [1].
Process Analytics 4.0 is a term analogous to Industry 4.0, centering on the evolution of process analytics. Dhanuka P. Wasalathanthri first coined the term in the journal Biotechnology Progress [2]. In the paper, Wasalathanthri defined Process Analytics 4.0 as including the ?utility of process analytical technology (PAT), assay automation, data management, visualization, augmented reality (AR) and IoT.?