At this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos the industry agenda focused on how Industry 4.0 will not only change manufacturing, but business as a whole.
Robert Williams, Cloudfy’s CEO, says that the themes emerging at Davos underscore how Cloud-based business to business (B2B) ecommerce will be a key driver in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He says: “We’re already helping our customers disrupt entire industries, simplifying the supply chain and bringing products direct to market faster than ever before.”
The Blueprint
Industry 4.0 was originally the brainchild of the German government. It describes the future of information technology and automation. Through the Internet of Things (IoT) customers and manufacturers will be seamlessly interconnected through machine learning algorithms in the Cloud.
Manufacturers will be able to create a ‘digital twin’ of their entire environment – from their laboratories and factories to their sales outlets and product servicing. They will be able to design, simulate, and test in a virtual world before making a prototype or planning production.
The Impact
Robert Williams says: “We have already seen how B2B businesses that embrace Cloud-based ecommerce can use ‘big data’ to learn from their customers’ behavior.“
“They have been able to develop new business models, improve efficiency and deliver better customer service. Systems integration and artificial intelligence are already providing unprecedented levels of personalization and improved forecasting.“
“Industry 4.0 will extend this learning culture throughout the whole supply chain to improve product development, production and distribution. Everything from the first customer touch-point to order fulfillment will become part of a single, very sophisticated learning cycle. One of the most important parts of the whole process will be the buyer interface.“
“When you include the growing importance of product servicing and parts to the manufacturer’s business portfolio it’s clear why the knowledge gained with every customer contact is going to be pivotal to future success.”
The Reality
“It might sound like science fiction, but it’s already happening. Semi-autonomous production, advanced robotics, augmented and virtual reality are already in use. Ecommerce and enterprise-wide information systems are already being integrated with manufacturing operations”, says Robert Williams.
Bosch Rexroth is testing ‘smart factory’ concepts in its own production lines and has already received awards for integrating humans, machines and development in customized manufacturing.
Rolls Royce is using the IoT to collect and collate data from across its customers’ aircraft fleets. They are using machine learning and analytics to optimize their products and improve fuel efficiency and maintenance planning.
Great Lakes Neuro Technologies has developed IoT-linked products that allow healthcare providers and researchers to monitor people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease. They are now collaborating to give clinicians a complete view of their patients’ experiences.
Last words…
In conclusion, Robert Williams says: “With end-to-end Cloud software, manufacturers can set up and maintain their whole Industry 4.0 infrastructure efficiently and keep up with this amazing period of rapid change.“
“Cloud-based ecommerce solutions like Cloudfy, that are designed with manufacturers in mind, will be essential. This will be the front-line where information is collected and shared and collaboration with partners and suppliers will be improved.”
Take a look at the future with a free demonstration of Cloudfy’s rich capabilities for manufacturing businesses.
