What Is Industry 4.0 and What Does it Mean for You?

One of things we try to do in our blogs is to clarify industry jargon. We looked at “as a service” recently, and now we have a new term to consider. Industry 4.0 refers to the fourth industrial revolution. The first, the age of steam power, the second, came with emergence of new sources of energy—electricity, gas, and oil. The third which started around 1969 saw the rise of electronics, telecommunications, and computers. We now have the fourth industrial revolution, which has been gathering pace over the last 10-15 years.

What is Industry 4.0?

Industry 4.0, or 4IR, describes the integration of digital technologies and physical systems. Cyber-physical systems (CPS) are the backbone of Industry 4.0. These systems integrate physical machinery and equipment with digital technologies. The internet of things IOT), or industrial internet of things (IIOT) when we are looking at manufacturing environments, is where everything from a Fridge to a Factory has software and processing capabilities that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet. In industry Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning help to automate processes, predict maintenance needs, and optimise supply chains through autonomous decision making. These technologies enable machines to learn from data, adapt, and continuously improve their performance. This is also connected to Big Data Analytics where quantities of data, in volumes which are large and hard to manage by traditional means.

What does it mean for your IT?

Industry 4.0 gives us the opportunity for more efficient and sustainable practices in the workplace. Resource use, quality control and flexibility are all improved using the CPS systems we’ve outlined above. There are of course challenges associated with the sift to these systems. The increased connectivity and data exchange introduce cybersecurity risks. Protecting sensitive and personal data, intellectual property, and ensuring communication network security are important considerations in Industry 4.0 implementation. With multiple systems in use across the workplace, making certain they are integrated and communicating effectively is critical.

The benefit to industry of embracing the digital transformation that the move to smart factories promises is huge. There are challenges in handling the increased emphasis on Cyber Security, but they are manageable. Commstec’s unique people focused approach means we can work with your team, in all areas of the business and with your external suppliers to advise you on the most cost-effective way to embrace the opportunities of Industry 4.0 today and the future. Book your free no-obligation Business Technology review.