INDUSTRY 4.0
Industry 4.0 can be defined as the integration of intelligent digital technologies into manufacturing and industrial processes. It encompasses a set of technologies that include industrial IoT networks, AI, Big Data, robotics, and automation. Industry 4.0 allows for?smart manufacturing?and the creation of intelligent factories. It aims to enhance productivity, efficiency, and flexibility while enabling more intelligent decision-making and customization in manufacturing and supply chain operations.?
?
And any definition of Industry 4.0 would also have to include its origin from the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Since the 1800s, we have experienced three industrial revolutions. They were called “revolutions” because the innovation that drove them didn’t just slightly improve productivity and efficiency – it completely revolutionized how goods were produced and work was done. We are now in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, aka Industry 4.0.?
?
First industrial revolution
By the early 1800s, the First Industrial Revolution was underway. The invention of the steam engine reduced industrial reliance on animal and human labor, ushering in a new age of manufacturing and precision engineering.
?
Second industrial revolution
A century later, the growing use of petroleum and electric power meant that machinery could be leaner and less cumbersome. The Second Industrial Revolution was driven by the assembly line and mass production processes, many of which are still used today.??
?
Third industrial revolution
Around the middle of the 20th?century, computers hit the scene. The Third Industrial Revolution saw the early development of factory automation and robotics. This era also saw the first use of computerized business systems that were built to manage and analyse data.
?
领英推荐
Fourth industrial revolution
Today, manufacturing is increasingly powered by information. Vast amounts of data come from across the business and around the world, in real time, around the clock. AI is at the heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, allowing manufacturers to not only gather all that data but use it – to analyse, predict, understand, and report. Industry 4.0 is not characterized by a single technology. It is defined by the seamless integration of a number of systems, tools, and innovations.
Industry 4.0 technologies
Industry 4.0 is built on nine technology pillars. These innovations bridge the physical and digital worlds and make smart and autonomous systems possible. Businesses and supply chains already use some of these advanced technologies, but the full potential of Industry 4.0 comes to life when they’re used together.
Industry 4.0 benefits summarized
Industry 4.0 represents more than simply a technology upgrade. By knocking down silos and connecting teams and operations across your manufacturing landscape, you begin to establish a more transparent and holistic way of doing business – that can eventually extend across all areas of your organisation.
?
Operational efficiency is enhanced with improved resource allocation, reduced downtime, and better productivity. This efficiency extends to sustainability initiatives where analytics and smart automations can help you further optimise and streamline energy use, reduce waste, and even design and innovate products that are more sustainable throughout their lifecycle.
?
The fact that industry 4.0 solutions and tools let you collect, analyse, and interpret vast amounts of data in real-time – means that you can get actionable insights really quickly, giving you the power to make decisions with confidence and accuracy. This applies to customers as well, because their demands and expectations are also changing at lightning speed. So, real-time data analytics can help you adapt quickly to personalise products, and provide tailored solutions on demand.
?
We live in competitive and volatile times. Industry 4.0 tools and strategies help improve not only efficiency and productivity, but the ability to see around corners and gain a meaningful competitive advantage.?