The concept of “smart factories” has emerged as a game changer in the manufacturing industry, with the global market for smart manufacturing expected to reach $548.14 billion by the end of 2024.1 The technologies in smart factories—such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and data analytics—revolutionize the way products are designed, produced and delivered.
The term “Industry 4.0” is a popular discussion topic in manufacturing forums. But what does the concept mean to manufacturers in real life?
To start, finding an agreed-upon definition of this concept is surprisingly elusive. According to Wikipedia, Industry 4.0 is “The on-going automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern smart technology.” But most industry experts will add to this, explaining how automation will allow for a never-before-seen ability to capture data, which, in turn will, unveil previously hidden truths and success paths that would otherwise not be identified.
For manufacturers in virtually every vertical, the capabilities offered by the 4th Industrial Revolution, particularly the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), artificial intelligence, automation and connected machines, are enabling greater operational efficiency, higher product quality and improved maintenance processes – and are driving changes to long-established business models.
A manufacturing execution system (MES) offers different things to different manufacturers – and different things to manufacturers in different industries. To help reduce the confusion, and to provide insight into the value of MES solutions in the industrial equipment and industrial products verticals, we asked Ultra Industry Marketing Director Dave Lechleitner (DL), a longtime consultant to industrial products companies, to share his expertise
Industrial manufacturers face complex business challenges. It’s always been difficult to effectively manage parts, production, people and products. And, today it’s even harder.
One of the many things that made 2020 difficult was the near impossibility of spontaneous, “watercooler” conversations about our projects, ERP technologies, industries and the business environment.
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