How To Get Started With Industry 4.0

By James Wood, Director of Business Development

Preparing your business for the fourth industrial revolution can seem like a daunting task. But Industry 4.0 shouldn’t be seen as a destination, but as a journey toward incorporating the latest technology into manufacturing. Taking that first step, such as implementing a manufacturing execution system (MES), makes it easier to wade into the world of A.I. and automation.

There’s so much to be gained by engaging with the technologies enabling Industry 4.0. As well as driving efficiency on the factory floor, integrated and automated data processes dramatically improve regulatory compliance. For food & beverage businesses, this is a huge opportunity to increase customer trust.

You also have to avoid overwhelming those on the factory floor. The idea is to blend people and systems, creating a smarter workforce that achieves more. One of the challenges involved in this is making sure teams have the skills needed to work alongside the machines. Training is often overlooked, making the Industry 4.0 journey more difficult than it needs to be.

When starting your Industry 4.0 journey, keep the following points in mind.