{"id":50139,"date":"2022-05-25T09:45:02","date_gmt":"2022-05-25T01:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/?p=50139"},"modified":"2022-05-30T14:17:47","modified_gmt":"2022-05-30T06:17:47","slug":"industry-4-0-what-is-it-and-why-do-you-need-to-start-thinking-about-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/en\/2022\/05\/industry-4-0-what-is-it-and-why-do-you-need-to-start-thinking-about-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Industry 4.0 \u2013 What Is It, and Why do You Need to Start Thinking About It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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In recent years, the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies such as automation, 3D printers, robotics, and IoT is gaining a lot of momentum across manufacturers. These technologies that interface with the production lifecycle enable businesses to improve productivity and competitiveness through cost control and planning.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the competitive advantage achieved by the deployment of Industry 4.0 technologies comes with a risk of vulnerability to cyber threats to a company. <\/span><\/p>\n

Operations and information security executives must effectively anticipate and address cyber risks, as well as proactively integrate cybersecurity into operations in accordance with senior management business plans. <\/span><\/p>\n

Thus, cybersecurity becomes part of mission-critical tasks, as well as business continuity and recovery for operation and information security executives. <\/span><\/p>\n

This involves protecting IT assets in a coordinated manner. The key to the success of secure and resilient operations is awareness of intentional or unintentional internal and external vulnerabilities and threats.<\/span><\/p>\n

With this in mind, we provide a guide that covers the most relevant aspects of Industry 4.0 applied to the context of technology and cybersecurity. Start the text by understanding more about the origin of Industry 4.0.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

What Is Industry 4.0?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The term Industry 4.0 is used to mean the beginning of the fourth industrial revolution \u2013 the previous three being mechanical production, mass production, and then the digital revolution.<\/span><\/p>\n

As described in the book The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Professor Klaus Schwab, Industry 4.0 encompasses \u201cnew technologies that combine the physical, digital, and biological worlds, impacting all disciplines, economies, and industries. These technologies have great potential to continue connecting billions of people to the web and dramatically improve the efficiency of businesses and organizations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In its application and universal understanding of Industry 4.0, this term is more directly related to the world of manufacturing, and we can even call it Manufacturing 4.0. This industry is growing and transforming like never before. <\/span><\/p>\n

In its application to manufacturing, Industry 4.0 is considered \u201cthe growth of automation and Internet of Things (IoT)-powered data technologies, the cloud, advanced computers, robotics, and people.\u201d <\/span>The seamless integration of software, equipment, and people increases the speed, reliability, and flow of information between all systems of a manufacturer.<\/b><\/p>\n\n

What Are the Main Characteristics of Industry 4.0?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Industry 4.0 is often summarized into six main features, essentially serving as part of the vision of Industry 4.0 and making the guidelines clearer for companies wishing to understand, identify, and implement Industry 4.0 projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

What sets this latest industrial revolution apart is the fusion of technologies to save time, enable certain decisions, and reduce errors.<\/b> This allows digital manufacturing to grow rapidly and widely. <\/span><\/p>\n

The technologies we are talking about have similar characteristics, as we will see below.<\/span><\/p>\n

Interoperability<\/b><\/h3>\n

A simple example is that each web browser can work with all web pages because both use open standards to allow access for everyone. They work separately but depend on each other for success. <\/span>For manufacturers, physical, human, and computer systems can communicate with each other.<\/b><\/p>\n

Virtualization<\/b><\/h3>\n

Machines that use virtualization are more protected against malware and can be used to check for updates, run software tests, and test different configurations before presenting the final result. You can create a virtual copy of the smart factory for <\/span>training simulation and testing without affecting the shop floor.<\/b><\/p>\n

Decentralization<\/b><\/h3>\n

In Industry 4.0, decentralization means that machines do not rely on human interference to work.<\/b> Physical systems have sensors connected to a network, capable of making automated decisions based on performance data.<\/span><\/p>\n

Real-time Capacity<\/b><\/h3>\n

Technology has advanced so much that sensors feed data and algorithms instantly.<\/span> These real-time data and analytics provide immediate results<\/b> for faster problem responses and even predictive maintenance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Service Orientation<\/b><\/h3>\n

The real-time capability made possible by big data and the free flow of information to interoperable systems enable companies to better meet customer needs. <\/span>This allows companies to adapt to customers\u2019 ever-changing needs and expectations as they occur<\/b>, providing personalized service.<\/span><\/p>\n

Modularity<\/b><\/h3>\n

It allows any production line activity to be changed immediately. With the connection and disconnection of different modules, companies can produce unique products in sequence without reconfiguring the entire assembly line.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Did Industry 4.0 Emerge?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Before we delve into the technologies and challenges of Industry 4.0, we must understand how manufacturing and technology evolved, where they began, and how they began. <\/span><\/p>\n

There are four distinct periods when rapid technological developments lead to drastic demographic changes and ultimately helped shape our current world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Industry 1.0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Industry 1.0 is synonymous with Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution is commonly referred to as a turning point in human history. Once industrialization began to occur, humanity changed forever.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Industrial Revolution began somewhere between the middle of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. It began in Britain, spreading rapidly to Europe, the United States, and then the rest of the world. <\/span>The innovative technology that emerged during this period included the steam engine, cotton, and locomotive engine.<\/b><\/p>\n

Until then, most people worked in agriculture. They lived in small communities or farms. However, once the Industrial Revolution began, most of the work began to shift to factory work. Similarly, there was a massive increase in urbanization, as most jobs in the factories were in the cities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Industry 2.0<\/b><\/h3>\n

In the early 20th century, the world entered its second Industrial Revolution. <\/span>With the advent of electricity in the 1800s and the rise of steel production, manufacturing and technology accelerated to a level never seen before.<\/b><\/p>\n

Electricity allowed manufacturers to increase their efficiency and make their manufacturing machines more mobile. Mass production has become commonplace. Industrial tycoon Henry Ford popularized the assembly line to increase overall productivity and lower prices.<\/span><\/p>\n

Industry 3.0<\/b><\/h3>\n

After the destruction caused by World War II, a third technological revolution slowly began to emerge as nations began to recover. It was at this point in history that much of our modern technology began to take shape.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the third Industrial Revolution, manufacturers started producing electronics, such as semiconductors, which eventually led to the modern computer, smartphone, and others.<\/b> Likewise, mass telecommunications began to emerge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the years, manufacturers have focused less on mechanical machines and more on digital technology and automation. Not to mention that advances in telecommunications have enabled rapid and effective communication, which has enabled globalization.<\/span><\/p>\n

Industry 4.0<\/b><\/h3>\n

In the last decade, we have entered a new era of technology. Known as Industry 4.0, it adds to the transformation of digital technology that we experienced for the first time in Industry 3.0. However, this time, there is a greater focus on interconnectivity between IoT devices, introducing cyber-physical data and real-time data and analysis interpretation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Industry 4.0 provides a much more interconnected, comprehensive, and holistic procedure for manufacturing.<\/b> It can seamlessly connect digital and physical systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, advances in telecommunications enable better communication between company departments, third-party suppliers, and key stakeholders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Industry 4.0 empowers business owners, managers, and team members to make better, more informed decisions and have greater control in their respective departments or functions. These professionals can leverage these insights to improve business processes, increase productivity, and sustain long-term growth.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

What Are the Pillar Technologies of Industry 4.0?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Industry 4.0, as part of a broader concept called digital transformation, covers manufacturing from planning to delivery, with solutions for deep analysis, shop floor data sensors, smart warehouses, simulated changes, and product and asset tracking.<\/span><\/p>\n

For manufacturers, Industry 4.0 technologies help bridge the gap between what were once isolated processes for a more holistic and visible view across the organization, with many actionable insights.<\/span><\/p>\n

Below are the main digital transformation technologies brought by Industry 4.0.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cognitive Computing<\/b><\/h3>\n

Cognitive technologies were not possible before the big data era. Cognitive systems need data to analyze \u2013 lots and lots of data. For most manufacturers, having enough data is no longer a problem. <\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, most manufacturers have access to more data than they can analyze using older methods and probably more data than they actually need. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cognitive manufacturing fully utilizes data present in equipment, systems, and processes to gain actionable insights across the value chain through different processes, from design to manufacturing and support activities. <\/b><\/p>\n

Built on the foundations of IoT and employing analysis combined with cognitive technology, Industry 4.0 or cognitive manufacturing drives its key productivity improvements in manufacturing environment reliability, quality, and efficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cloud Computing<\/b><\/h3>\n

With the advent of IoT and Industry 4.0, the reality is that data is being generated at an impressive speed and in large volumes, making manual handling impossible. This creates the need for an infrastructure that can store and manage this data more efficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cloud computing provides a platform for users to store and process large amounts of data on remote servers.<\/b> It allows organizations to use computer resources without having to develop an on-premises computing infrastructure.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ability of cloud computing to provide scalable computing resources and storage space enables companies to capture and apply business intelligence through the use of big data analytics, helping them consolidate and optimize manufacturing and business operations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mobile Technologies<\/b><\/h3>\n

Back office and manufacturing operation managers need complete visibility into every aspect of the manufacturing process, from supply chain logistics to enterprise asset management (EAM) and customer order fulfillment. <\/span><\/p>\n

Transparency leads to simpler operations and dramatic productivity growth as problems are perceived and solved more quickly.<\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

Mobile technologies help factory managers achieve this level of visibility by allowing them to easily switch between mobile and desktop tasks. This is an achievable vision today if manufacturing operations leaders carefully observe their workflows and strategically invest in innovative mobile applications.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Cybersecurity<\/b><\/h3>\n

You cannot have multiple technologies involved at every level of your business without some kind of protection to keep cybercriminals and other malicious agents out of your systems. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cybersecurity technology is what protects your digital systems from internal and external attack vectors. <\/span>Modern cybersecurity involves technology such as blockchain or artificial intelligence and can protect new technologies such as industrial IoT devices.<\/b><\/p>\n

With digitized and intelligent systems, manufacturers without appropriate cybersecurity are exposed to the threat of intellectual property theft, cybercriminal-driven manufacturing equipment to create faulty products, ransomware, identity theft, and more. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, manufacturers can mitigate security threats by creating a plan if they experience a breach, as well as enabling cyber protection measures that protect their data and equipment, including their IoT systems.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

M2M \u2013 Machine to Machine<\/b><\/h3>\n

The machine-to-machine concept represents any technology that allows two devices to exchange information with each other, for example, to communicate and send data. The communication that occurs between the machines or devices is autonomous, and there is no need for human intervention for this data exchange to occur.<\/span><\/p>\n

M2M connectivity is related to the Internet of Things (IoT). Both are part of the same concept and complement each other.<\/b> Thanks to IoT, an interconnected machine or device system can be connected wirelessly and automatically exchange and analyze data in the cloud. In short, IoT is enabled by integrating many M2M devices and using cloud web platforms to process all this data.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

3D Printing<\/b><\/h3>\n

3D printers are a vital part of Industry 4.0. While 3D printers came to market in the 1980s, commercially viable 3D printing was only possible in the last decade, thanks to the pioneering efforts of companies such as <\/span>Stratasys<\/span><\/a> and others. <\/span><\/p>\n

3D printing technology today is at a stage where companies are beginning to realize significant and tangible new value for themselves and their customers who use it. <\/b><\/p>\n

Leading companies and consultants around the world are making significant investments in 3D printing knowledge and capabilities so they can advise and join their customers on the Industry 4.0 wave and revolutionize supply chains, product portfolios, and business models in the process. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Robotics<\/b><\/h3>\n

Although robotics has been used in manufacturing for decades, Industry 4.0 has given new life to this technology.<\/span><\/p>\n

With recent advances in technology, a new generation of robotics is emerging, capable of performing difficult and delicate tasks. Powered by cutting-edge software and sensors, they can recognize, analyze, and act on the information they receive from the environment and even collaborate and learn from humans.<\/span><\/p>\n

One area of robotics that gains significant strength is collaborative robots (\u201ccobots\u201d), <\/span>designed to work safely around people, freeing workers from repetitive and dangerous tasks.<\/b><\/p>\n

Big Data<\/b><\/h3>\n

Big Data refers to the large and complex datasets generated by IoT devices. This data comes from a wide variety of enterprise and cloud applications, websites, computers, sensors, cameras, and more, all in different formats and protocols.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the manufacturing industry, there are many types of data to consider, including data from production equipment equipped with sensors and databases of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), CRM (Customer Relationship Management), and MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

But how can manufacturers convert the collected data into actionable business insights and tangible benefits? With the analysis of this data. <\/span>When it comes to data, the use of data analytics is essential to convert data into information that can provide actionable insights.<\/b><\/p>\n

Ultimately, by collecting previously isolated data sets and analyzing them, companies can now find new ways to optimize processes that have the greatest effect on income.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Internet of Things<\/b><\/h3>\n

Simply put, IoT refers to a network of physical devices that are digitally interconnected, facilitating communication and data exchange over the Internet. These smart devices can be anything from smartphones and appliances to cars and even buildings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Industrial IoT is a subset of the Internet of Things, where multiple sensors, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, <\/span>software, and electronics are integrated into industrial machines and systems to collect real-time data about their condition and performance.<\/b><\/p>\n

IoT has many use cases, with asset management and tracking being one of the main applications of the technology today. For example, IoT can be used to prevent excess or lack in inventories.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are the Main Challenges Brought by Industry 4.0?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Although some organizations have consistent and holistic strategies toward Industry 4.0, most do not. <\/span>The lack of strategy proves to be one of the greatest challenges, as it happens in many business areas.<\/b><\/p>\n

There is a large gap between companies that have a long-term strategy and the others. The truth is that most organizations do not have an Industry 4.0 strategy and also suffer from the short strategic term. <\/span><\/p>\n

Organizations, in general, are focusing too much on the short term for changes in demands, as well as financial and competitive reasons. In any case, under Industry 4.0, it is clear that initiatives will not be sufficient unless they are part of a strategic journey. <\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, we identified other obstacles and challenges brought by Industry 4.0 to companies.<\/span><\/p>\n