It is a huge mistake to believe that technology has evolved to the top of its game. Industry 4.0 marks a new milestone in industrial processes, and it represents the use of the most modern tools and technologies in industrial processes.
Here we will explore the 4.0 industry world and its impacts in our lives. Always keep in mind that technological advancements are inevitable and therefore should not be faced with negativity. We must understand how this will impact the industry, enjoy the positive effects it may have and do our best to minimize the negative.
This content is mostly targeted to managers and entrepreneurs, as most of the times they are responsible for implement it in organizations. Even so, every professional should be aware of the expected changes.
The concept of industry 4.0
We can describe industry 4.0 as a new production paradigm developed within companies. It is a result from the fourth industrial revolution, which represents an important evolution in man-machine interactions.
Although industry 4.0 is mostly focused in revolutionizing the communication and exchange of information between machines, digital advancements are what make it possible by improving the connectivity, intelligence, and capacity of industrial machines.
This process of constant industry evolution started with the first industrial revolution and has never stopped.
Ever since the first industrial revolution, manual work has slowly been replaced by machines. Even so, automation or the capacity of a self-working machine without human control, has been the focus of the industry in the latest years. Industry 4.0 comes to reenforce it.
When approaching the topic of automation, we tend to think of physical processes, such as fitting two car pieces together. But now the reality is more complex: machines can be many times compared to the human intellectual thinking. Smarter, faster, and more accurate.
The principles of industry 4.0
The principles of industry 4.0 were approached by a group of researchers that presented a recommendation report for the German government. In this report, authors planned the implementation and development of the so-called industry 4.0, characterized by these 6 principles.
Interoperability
In this process, machines and systems must communicate and work together to optimize the entire industrial process.
Virtualisation
Proposes that a virtual copy of the smart factories can help remotely tracking and monitoring of all processes through sensors spread around the building.
Decentralisation
Machines will involve from receivers to decision makers based on their self-adjusting skills, on real-time factory and cycles of work information.
Real-time capability
The capability of collecting and processing data instantly, allowing qualified real-time decision making.
Service orientation
Aliened with the trend of Cloud Computing, it is a concept that software must be oriented to providing solutions as services.
Modularity
This will allow factories to couple or uncouple production modules according to demand, offering more flexibility.
The must-have technologies to apply industry 4.0 in your business
As presented above, tools and systems are a fundamental part of industry 4.0. Their purpose is to allow more efficient machines and leaner processes, shortening the time and resources needed to produce with quality.
Aligned with the 6 principles presented, here are the top 4 technologies supporting the fourth industrial revolution.
IoT (internet of things)
This term has been receiving a lot of attention in the latest years and it consists in the connection between physical goods, vehicles and machines through electronic devices that allow data collection and exchange. In short terms, is the connection of physical devices to the network. This hyperconnectivity improves the user experience by using fewer physical objects and gathering more data.
Big Data
Big data are extensive and complex data structures that use new approaches for information capture, analysis, and management. This is a basic technology to Industry 4.0 as all decisions are based in data and they must be interpreted correctly by machines and systems to perform optimizations.
Artificial Intelligence
Big Data provides information, IoT transmits information to machines, but how do they make decisions based on this information without human interference? The answer is: Artificial Intelligence. With AI, machines will be able to read the information received, interpret them, and decide further actions, all instantly.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing allows industries to optimize the costs with IT infrastructure, communication, and data storage. Learn more about cloud computing here.
Have you already applied the principles of industry 4.0 in your business? If you are looking for a technology partner, know that Madiff has experts in all technologies mentioned above and much more. Modernize your business today.