What is it? A set of ideas and principles to achieve results that weren’t otherwise possible 10 or 20 years ago, with much thanks to advances in technology.
Whilst we know that automation and new, digital technologies have the potential to transform the manufacturing industry – as we’ve seen with the first industrial revolution where Britain moved from farming to factory production in the 19th century and then again with the second and third revolutions – its fast development can also be a risk to businesses who are not prepared and do not have the processes in place to adapt to the changes.
Companies are still very much living with the consequences of the WannaCry virus that struck in 2017. Some managed to contain the attack, but globally, manufacturers were forced to halt production after discovery that the virus had penetrated through networks, costing companies tens-of-thousands to fix.
Whilst the spread of the WannaCry ransomware has slowed, new versions of the worm could strike at any time, which means businesses, no matter how big or small their output, must feel they are equipped with the knowledge and have the processes in place, to not only evolve but, but to prevent or deal with a strike.
So, what’s different about this revolution and why should it matter to you? The previous three revolutions were much slower to spread – there are still parts of the world that have yet to experience the first revolution. Industry 4.0, however, is not something you can avoid. Its growth is rapid and if we focus in on technologies like artificial intelligence and genomics, we can see that the impact of their rise goes way beyond just industry, they affect all aspects of society.
Maximise the Potential that Industry 4.0 Has To Offer
So, what do you need to do? Question whether your company has the processes in place to not only evolve with and maximise the potential that Industry 4.0 has to offer, but also to tackle its challenges.
It’s a time to be honest with yourself and your business – do you understand:
- If you are able to prepare for Industry 4.0 alone?
- What questions you need to be asking about how Industry 4.0 will affect you?
- How to evaluate your environment and deliver support?
- If your business is set up in the right way to support its own needs?
We understand that it can be challenging to keep one eye on the future with a firm grasp on the present, so we are hosting a two-day event and workshop in Brussels, on May 23rd and 24th, to give our partners an understanding of the core drivers of the fourth revolution and how this will directly impact the manufacturing industry.
Learn more about our Industry 4.0 offer here.
Has this sparked some thoughts? Your Stefanini account manager will be happy to answer any questions you may have and will be able to provide you with more detail on our Industry 4.0 event.
Don’t have a Stefanini account manager? Contact [email protected] for more information.
