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RESEARCH, ANALYSIS & TRENDS

5. System integration: In Industry4.0 systems, con- environment and become a vital part of its long-
nectivity is the bedrock of integration. Currently, term success. Human talent also needs the sup-
many manufacturing information systems are not port of new tools and practices. Decision-makers
operating in an integrated manner. With improved will need help to recognize business opportunities
system integration, all aspects of a manufacturing as well as work more efficiently. Dashboards and
company—machines, devices, humans, and cyber other data and analytical tools can help specialists
-physical systems—can become interoperable, clean, organize, and present massive volumes of
within and beyond smart factory walls. Most im- available data.
portantly, the integration will create an agile manu-
facturing environment, enabling real-time process Smart Factory Benefits
corrections and more responsive processes.
After smart factory connectivity, sensors, and intelligent
6. Cloud computing: As manufacturers use more decision-making technologies are installed, configured,
information technology and share more infor- and tested, one question remains. Will manufacturing
mation in smart factories, hosted computing ser- processes improve? Will adding smart manufacturing
vices provide almost unlimited data storage and systems to fabrication and assembly fundamental
computing power. Cloud-based computing ser- methods make manufacturing more efficient and work-
vices also help manufacturers make computing ers more productive?
more scalable, data more accessible, and data
cleaner and safer to use. Improved capabilities

7. Autonomous robots: Although genuine autono- Advanced capabilities lie at the heart of process im-
my is still a goal, not reality, this class of advanced provements. These capabilities include:
robots performs tasks that require capabilities be-
tween automated robots and human workers. In • Streamlined data discovery and collection: Smart
some ways, automated production robots design technologies automate data collection and provide
to work like humans, but they have the added abil- advanced production data analytics. These capa-
ity to monitor and transmit data. bilities help managers make faster, more informed
decisions. In a smart factory, connecting opera-
8. Cybersecurity: As digital connectivity increases, tions technology and business systems enable
the risk of a potential cyberattack, and data loss manufacturers to measure their key performance
threat grow with it. Any security breach could dam- indicators against their high-level business goals.
age several factory operations areas, from the
supply chain to production to the company's loss • Predictive maintenance: With better monitoring of
of reputation. Companies must prepare and pro- data and devices, manufacturers can predict and
tect their information systems, sensitive data, and fix maintenance problems before causing down-
production lines from cyber threats. time or product quality issues. For example, sen-
sors connected to machines or devices can send
9. Big data analytics: There are massive amounts condition monitoring or repair data in real-time.
of untapped data in the manufacturing industry, This way, manufacturers can identify and fix prob-
and factory owners are just beginning to learn how lems much more quickly.
to use it. The common theme among all smart
technology pillars is data collection and analysis. • Less waste, more accurate forecasts: When opera-
High-volume, high-speed data collection and re- tions and enterprise systems are connected, manu-
search have been available for more than five facturers can identify waste and make more accu-
years. Big data analytics, cybersecurity-related rate forecasts. Managers get a better understand-
pattern recognition, and inventory control are just ing of demand levels and supply chain problems.
three of many ways that data analytics contribute With this information, factory operators can avoid
to more efficient factory operation. costs related to excessive inventory or unexpected
production volume.
10. Human talent: Industry 4.0 experts encourage
manufacturers to look beyond efficiency and new • A faster, more accurate view of supply and de-
business models. Their advice: invest in human mand: Smart, connected systems help manufactur-
talent as well as manufacturing infrastructure. ers understand their operations and data. In a
Manufacturers should welcome data specialists to smart factory, digital connectivity gives manufactur-
thrive in the approaching digital manufacturing ers a clear, complete, and accurate view of bottle-

April 2022: Marketing Automation: AI, Big Data & Deep Learning 19