Participate in the fourth industrial revolution
Internet of Things (IoT) is a growing tech trend that is finally hitting the industrial sector, heralding a fourth industrial revolution with smart factories. But what does it mean, and what does it take to build these factories? In this article, we look at five skills that are particularly important for participating in Industry 4.0.
The goal of Industry 4.0 is to use today’s advanced technology to rethink and enrich the manufacturing industry. With an approach that puts the company at the center, we can now create smart factories with higher adaptability, more efficient resource use, and better integration with the customer than ever before.
That is why we call it Industry 4.0.
It is impossible to talk about Industry 4.0 without also discussing cyber-physical-systems (CPS) and cloud computing. CPS is what we use to build smart factories, and cloud computing is what we use to store, analyze, and match the data they produce.
These new technologies demand greater innovation, security, and methodology than ever before, which means the following five skills are absolutely essential:
1. Diversity is a necessity
For suppliers to provide business-driving solutions within Industry 4.0, they must have real experience in app development, embedded and web platforms for related technologies and hardware.
Owners of manufacturing companies want to control their company’s key functions remotely with desktop and web applications. It should be easy to receive notifications and reports on mobile devices, and the company’s machines should be able to communicate with each other. To realize this, suppliers must have extensive knowledge of all these platforms and technologies and consider cross-platform integration from the start.
2. Understand the users
o enrich an industry, every interaction must be enriched. Factory workers need access to the cloud and all its functionalities. The user interface must be intuitive and tailored to the relevant contexts and users. Only then can the technology be used to streamline work and enhance safety.
The supplier must be familiar with interface design and replace buttons and black-and-white displays with intuitive and graphical user interfaces based on the user’s needs. Modern technology, such as the TouchGFX framework, can achieve precisely this.
3. Remember the architecture
The various connections and availabilities that a successful Industry 4.0 requires intersect at many points.
While it is important to understand each system’s technology, architecture, and structure, it is absolutely necessary to understand the smart factory as a whole. Suppliers must be able to integrate systems, companies, users, and processes. Only the right architecture can ensure a usable production with the highest security.
4. Rethink the use of data
To get the most out of smart factories and Industry 4.0, solutions must generate, share, and prioritize data. As suppliers, we must understand how to use newly acquired data in the most profitable way and in conjunction with existing data.
Innovative use of data optimizes workflow by allowing machines to act independently. To achieve this, we must have in-depth knowledge of both the company and the users – and actively use that knowledge through innovative data usage.
Data is our new primary resource, which not only stores the past but also contains the potential of the future. Therefore, data should be seen as the most important resource in the manufacturing industry and product development.
5. From hardware to people
Although cloud systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and innovative data usage can ensure automation, a smart factory still needs some manual operators.
Therefore, suppliers must be able to develop functional and secure control units for various factory stakeholders. To create simple, secure, and effective control units, there must be a complete understanding of hardware and technical applications.
When used correctly, touch functionality is a way to transform complex functionality into intuitive navigation and create a simple way to present critical data.
The long haul
At Mjølner, we have learned over the past 35 years that diversity in skills, technologies, and domains creates the most holistic, value-creating, and effective solutions.
We use this diversity to develop high-tech solutions with the user and business at the center. Together with our customers, we break down monoliths and create a network of connected satellites.
Do you need to enrich your product or process?
