The manufacturing industry is an undoubted industry when adopting Digital Transformation initiatives, by constantly innovating and looking for ways to increase efficiency/productivity and reduce costs. Integrating technologies that are best aligned with organizational strategy is so important for the manufacturing industry which has rapidly developed over the past few years. When it comes to embracing new technologies, providing tools to interpret complex data and generate actionable insights should be at the front.
Industry 4.0 plays a significant role with the benefits of operational efficiency, reduced costs and data insights. According to Ireland’s Industry 4.0 Strategy 2020-2025 report: “Industry 4.0 offers the potential for significant economic growth, with the EC estimating that digitalization of manufacturing could add €110 billion per year to Europe’s industrial base.”
Increasing productivity is what drives every industrial revolution and at its core, Industry 4.0 integrates humans, machines, and data to provide a holistic approach to manufacturing. It allows for optimal control and transparency into every business aspect to boost productivity and drive growth in manufacturing.
According to the World Economic Forum, $100 trillion is going to be added to the world economy through digital transformation by 2025. Furthermore, by 2025, interactions driven by platforms are expected to enable roughly two-thirds of the $100 trillion value at stake from digitalization.
Digital Transformation Trends Driving Industry 4.0
We see revolutionary changes in factories and especially in the manufacturing industry. Technology including, Big Data Analytics, Machine Learning, the IoT, and Human-machine Interfaces are part of the mix. With Industry 4.0, manufacturers digitize using these technologies to remain in the future or risk obsolescence.
For companies to be successful in the digital transformation processes towards Industry 4.0, there are major trends they might need to pay close attention to.
Connected Customers and Customized Experiences
One of the biggest changes in mindset is between assets and customers. In fact, consumers are able to connect to the industry via social networks and data analytics. Any part of the process of production can be informed by the customer.
Consider the buyer's journey for a new automobile. Many automobile industries are able to create plenty of customizable options. Alongside exterior color options, equipped with new technology, built-in AI-powered, full autonomous drive, automatic park etc. These advancements in the industry show that manufacturers listen to customers' needs and embrace the building power of next-generation production.
Process Automation
With Industry 4.0, machine automation and process digitalization with new technology, new production models are implemented in the industry. Human-machine integration, the system in which a human and a machine work integrated, helps to improve work management and reduce the overall costs of the company while improving efficiency and productivity. That means that you have workers with better working conditions.
The innovation-oriented approaches to products and processes are essential because they reduce or eliminate old production management therefore, they achieve an optimal digitalization of production.
Data Management and Analysis
In an industry 4.0 company, it is critical to have tools that help to manage and analyze the data generated by the machine or operator. In this way, they can identify data that will help to manage and analyze, variables that will have benefits for the optimal use of machinery. Companies can also bring forth new and improved processes thanks to the analytics gathered from the technologies. Adopting digital transformation needs is the only way to make this happen and will increase productivity by allowing for overall improvement in production.
Conclusion
For manufacturing and other organizations, digital transformation is critical to success. The value addition enabled by digital transformation is immense, and companies can rise to a new paradigm with digital transformation and provide better end-to-end operations. Advances in technology have accelerated and unlocked numerous opportunities for manufacturers; smart, connected products and automated operations have the potential for improving productivity, quality, and efficiency while reducing cost.
You can trust our industry experts to guide you in your digital transformation journey and implementation of Industry 4.0 solutions in your production.
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