The term Industry 4.0 was used for the first time in 2011, during the Hanover Fair, as a way to synthesize the changes promoted in industrial processes through computerization. Since then, the so-called fourth industrial revolution has already taken shape and developed its own consistent themes.
But what is industry 4.0 after all?
Imagine that your factory is not only automated, but all your machines are digitally interconnected within a single system. This “smart factory” allows you to monitor all physical processes in real time and make effective decentralized decisions.
Originally, Industry 4.0 was conceived in the context of manufacturing, but this has changed in recent years and moved away from production processes through technology and its related areas. With the rapid growth of IoT (Industrial Internet of Things), it becomes clear when looking at the expansion of Industry 4.0.
In essence, we can say that the fourth industrial revolution and digital technologies is the Internet of Things applied to manufacturing. Physical systems communicate and cooperate with each other and bring new possibilities, such as remote working, made possible by the internet.
How to prepare for industry 4.0?
As Industry 4.0 is related to technological innovations and is poised to break into all sectors of the global economy, companies must, in turn, start investigating trends and ways to integrate with it.
Clearly this movement is being recognized by everyone and the impacts of Industry 4.0 can already be noticed.
If you want to prepare your company for the future and move towards Industry 4.0, be sure to know these tips:
1. Assess your company's needs
Do you need to manufacture more products in less time? Is your company being slowed down by the need to communicate between each stage of your production cycle? As we enter the Industry 4.0 era, identifying areas for improvement is the first step in accessing the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution.
2. Identify how artificial intelligence can best meet your business needs
If you're part of a small business, you probably think Industry 4.0 doesn't meet your organization's needs. But before rejecting the future, consider the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution:
- Cloud computing and controlled processes updated online;
- Real-time information on all stages of product development provided by the Internet of Things;
- Optimization of business operation through Machine Learning.
3. Create a five-year plan to address these needs through new technologies
By 2020, many major industrialized countries will have adapted their processes in line with Industry 4.0. For example, the Chinese government is investing more than US $ 1.5 billion in sectors such as the Internet of Things as part of its “Made in China 2025” strategy.
Therefore, you should start approaching local tech companies and redesign your plans to be integrated with new solutions.
Also, insist on modular technology solutions to remain open to new developments during this period of innovation.
4. Start educating your workforce on the operation of this new technology
At all stages in the change process, make sure your organization's employees are educated in the operations of new technologies. This will ensure a smooth transition, reducing the anxiety that accompanies each new era in the industry.
As we look back and map the progress we've made through each of the industrial revolutions, it's clear that as we progress, we're depending more and more on technology.
In the late 1700s and early 1800s, we learned how to harness the energy of water and steam to enable mechanical production. Almost a century later, we developed assembly lines and started using electrical energy for mass production. More recently, we've developed IT systems to further automate production. And today, we're starting to use cyber physical systems to create factories, devices and products and connect people anywhere in the world.
Available - https://anpei.org.br/industria-4-0-o-que-e/
