What brings industry 4.0 to companies
"The industrial revolution 4.0", "the factory 4.0" or simply "the revolution 4.0", so many terms to name the one that will be at the origin of the factory of the future: industry 4.0. The 4th industrial revolution was introduced for 2 main purposes: to produce better and to produce more intelligently. According to some consulting firms, the potential value creation that could be generated by establishing a factory of the future in Western Europe could reach around 420 billion euros. To better understand how this potential can be generated, we will present to you several advantages of industry 4.0 for businesses.
Note that the concept of smart manufacturing is at the heart of this movement. Among other things, there are facilitating technologies like IIoT.
Predictive maintenance
The principle of predictive maintenance is simple: it involves analyzing performance and detecting declines in profitability and/or obsolescence of machines and equipment in advance. Specifically, software studies the cycle of machines and evaluates their life expectancy based on imposed rhythms, and if there is a concern, an alert message is sent to the maintenance personnel so they can take the necessary action. Having a heads-up in order to avoid loss of productivity, time, and money is the advantage of predictive maintenance in Industry 4.0!
Optimization of raw material and energy consumption
Producing smarter is one of the key challenges of the industrial revolution 4.0 and that is why the intelligent use of resources necessary for the business will play a predominant role. Some applications will provide a comprehensive view of the factory and its equipment in order to optimize consumption. This is the case of Internet of Things technology, which is already being used in home automation and habitat management to control electronic devices, with the goal of improving quality of life while saving energy! It is also the case for some suppliers of technology and services in the areas of water, hygiene, and energy. In order to help their clients reduce their water consumption, for example, they collect data at their industrial sites. Data collection generally occurs via a platform hosted in the cloud and connected to artificial intelligence applications. "Industry 4.0" definitely resonates with "ecology" and "economy".
Geolocation of parts for optimal traceability
When we talk about "Industry 4.0", we refer to the "modernization of equipment". Thanks to this, a company will have the ability to track all the parts it needs by equipping itself with RFID chips, an acronym for "radio-identification". An operator or a business leader will thus be able to identify on his smartphone or tablet the routes that are too long and too costly, the lost items, and thus limit financial losses and inventory errors that can prove extremely detrimental to his company's productivity. Here is one of the advantages of Industry 4.0 that will allow companies to save time, avoid losing money foolishly, and make the best decisions regarding inventory.
Automation of logistics management
The 4.0 enterprise is a smart company mainly due to the interconnection between all links of the production chain established through the internet. This is known as the Internet of Things technology. This technology allows for faster, more efficient production at a lower cost, in a more secure manner, and it also enables the modification of production modes autonomously. Machines will take a weight off the operators' shoulders by performing the most tedious tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks, for example.
Strengthening the bond with customers
Let’s conclude this list of advantages of Industry 4.0 for businesses with customer relations. Thanks to modern IT tools and communication networks, companies can engage in a more direct approach to managing applications with their customers. The live business is, for example, a model within which certain companies leverage product usage data to predict customer needs; to respond instantly to those needs with suitable products; as well as to share these insights with partners in order to offer new horizons and more value to the customer.
According to a study published by PwC (Price Waterhouse Coopers) in 2016, 76% of French industrial companies expect to reach an advanced level of digitization by 2020. The advantages of Industry 4.0 for businesses are various and varied, and combined, they will allow the 4.0 company to increase its potential for value creation while being more competitive, more modern, closer to the customer, and, last but not least, more environmentally friendly.
Integral System is part of this innovation strategy and supports its clients in their evolutions. That is why we offer a comprehensive solution around IIoT issues.