Introduction to the Terms of Using Tech in Manufacturing

This is just a basic overview of the emerging field of applying tech to enhance manufacturing operations. Many in the manufacturing and supply chain fields are becoming more knowledgeable about the possibilities of using technology to improve their processes, while others are just starting to become interested. I will briefly cover the terms used.

Smart Manufacturing – means using technology to monitor, track and report on your processes, material, and production automatically without your employees having to take their valuable time to do it. It is always a best practice in manufacturing to not distract the frontline workers from creating value and only creating value for the customers. Simple technology can now easily do this.

Industry 4.0 – refers to the 4th iteration of the Industrial Revolution. The 1st was mechanization powered by water and steam. The 2nd was mass production powered by electricity. The 3rd is the application of computers and some automation. And the 4th will be about achieving the total connectedness of many processes, people, devices, machines, and materials delivered to the point of use, just in time.

IoT – is the Internet of Things, having to do with many “things” connected to the internet. The idea is to increase synergies, enabled by technology, between all human and machine activities. Activities that talk to each other and eventually generate useful, actionable insights (machine learning / artificial intelligence) to optimize productivity and predictability for maximum stakeholder outcomes.

This all sounds like a big undertaking, and it will be, but it is easy to start simple and build upon it like Legos. Similar to when PC’s first started showing up in the workplace. Eventually, over the years, everyone had one. Now we can’t imagine life before.