Getting Started With 4.0 Technologies

Manufacturers embarking on a digital journey need to identify both the 4.0 technologies and the data that hold most potential for their businesses.  

With a limited supply of available workers and raw materials and complex supply chain issues to resolve, implementing new technology and digitally enabled processes can seem out of reach for many manufacturers. However, companies that invest in technology upgrades like automation and robotics are increasing efficiency, boosting collaboration between departments, and enabling predictive and prescriptive analytics. These manufacturing sector advancements allow operators, managers, and executives to fully use real-time data and intelligence to make better decisions while managing day-to-day responsibilities.

Laying the Foundation

There are many different flavors of technologies that fall under the 4.0 banner that can solve modern manufacturing challenges. Before getting started, leaders should therefore compare their activities against other industry leaders, both within and beyond their industry sector, to get a sense of what technologies others are considering for similar challenges and opportunities. They should also assess their current data landscape to understand gaps, accuracy, quality, and existing controls. Data management is at the heart of modern industrial transformation and is often the overlooked requirement to achieve success with Industry 4.0 initiatives.

Once those points are considered, manufacturers can then begin researching the technologies that possess the most potential in helping them achieve their objectives.

Common Starting Points

Among the multiple digital tools now available, leaders may wish to consider the following four key technologies as useful starting points.

Sensor Technology: By embedding sensor technologies in strategic locations, organizations can monitor, collect, and report on information being generated by assets across their surrounding environment and respond swiftly and effectively to remote insights and updates. This allows leaders to make business changes in real time based on both efficiency gains and mitigating circumstances. During the height of the pandemic for example, Unilever used this technology to predict the spread of COVID-19 and better prepare facilities in impacted locations.

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