Fed up with hearing about Industry 4.0?
In manufacturing circles, Industry 4.0 is at bit like Brexit: everyone is talking about it, but no-one seems to have a definitive answer about how best to proceed. If you’ve had enough of high-level technology discussion that doesn’t seem to relate to your factory floor, then read on.
It’s tempting to ignore what’s commonly known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution or ‘Industry 4.0’ which is its catchier title. The idea of automated ‘smart’ factories with shiny, spanking new state-of-the-art facilities can feel like a world away from the daily grind of producing products using machinery that has been painstakingly built up over time. And there’s the people element too. How on earth can new technology replace years of experience?
But the real elephant in the room is cost. It might be possible in theory to create a technologically advanced factory that to all intents and purposes runs itself – but is it actually affordable for normal businesses with normal budgets and profit margins to protect?
These are real concerns and are completely understandable, especially in the current UK business climate of uncertainty. But the fact is that the steady march of technology is not going to go away… Manufacturers that steadfastly continue to operate as they always have done, using the systems they have always used, will eventually get left behind. Over time, customers will opt for manufacturers that are more responsive, more modern and more efficient. They’d be foolish not to as their businesses and their budgets are guaranteed to benefit.
So how to proceed? For mid-tier manufacturers who don’t have the luxury of a money tree to call on, the answer is to set reasonable expectations and take smaller steps. It might not be practical or affordable to make sweeping changes: it is possible to make incremental improvements in crucial areas such as MRP, warehouse management and production planning. Replacing processes that are reliant on manual input, spreadsheets and pieces of paper – or are even wholly dependent on a particular person – eliminate vulnerabilities that can only get worse over time.
One of things about technology is that is constantly evolves, improves and ultimately becomes more affordable as providers fine-tune their products to better meet business needs and as uptake gains momentum. Which means now is the perfect time to look at the solutions available for manufacturing environments. You’ll discover that much of the hard graft has been done already and that there are affordable and proven options available that can make a significant difference from day one for your staff, your customers and your bottom line.
Maybe it’s time to investigate how the shift towards Industry 4.0 can make a real difference for your business?
