A case for the value of Industry 4.0

"Industrial Internet of Things, collaborative robots, digital twins and more aren’t just new ways of trying to get you to loosen your purse strings. They bring with them the promise of improved business outcomes." To build a case for Industry 4.0, it is sometimes a good idea to start with a pilot project. You can look at what parts of your business would benefit the most from automation and move forward from there.

Recommended ReadThe Value Proposition of IIoT, Industry 4.0Source: http://www.automationworld.com

There are some in industry who argue that there’s nothing really new about the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Plants have always gathered lots of data, with sensors streaming information back to supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. But there are several technological advances that make IIoT a game changer, including cheaper (and thus more prevalent) sensors, increased compute power, improved networking and more. Factor in the innovation technologies associate with Industry 4.0, and you have a burgeoning value proposition. Several experts gathered in Chicago at the recent Automation Conference & Expo—put on byAutomation Worldand its parent PMMI Media Group—to discuss the value of automation and how to get executive buy-in. Although much of the panel discussion centered on some of the newest technologies, particularly around IIoT and Industry 4.0, the endgame is still the same as it has always been: Keep production going and make money. As with any new technology on your plant floor, you need to ensure that you get the value out of that investment and that it serves the bottom line. Read More