The Original Industrial Revolution that occurred during the 1760s shifted societies from an agrarian economy to a manufacturing one, with products being made by machines rather than by hand. The main driver was the usage of steam and water. The second industrial revolution started around the 1870s and saw the extensive usage of electrical technology powered machines. This made machines much more user-friendly and cost-efficient. Mass production became a reality due to the creation of the assembly line. This allowed the invention and success of automobiles and planes. Third Industrial Revolution or the digital revolution unfolded from the 1950s and to the early 2000s and brought us computers, other kinds of electronics, the Internet, and more
The fourth industrial revolution or the Industry 4.0 takes the baton from the digital revolution and takes us to realms that could never be imagined during the Industry 3.0 using disruptive technologies like cloud, analytics, 3D printing, virtual reality, robotics etc. coupled with reskilling, upskilling and hiring new employees who are adept at these technologies
The production lines which during Industry 3.0 were devoid of any tracking and monitoring were gradually seen progressing to a state where they are directly or indirectly connected with various types of devices.
As an articled clerk and then a Chartered accountant and later an SAP consultant, I have spent several years on the shopfloor carrying out Information systems audits, SAP implementations and Application Managed Services of large manufacturing entities and have been fortunate to see this transition happen from Industry 3.0 to Industry 4.0 unfold in front of my own eyes
With Industry 4.0 solutions and technologies, you can bring data-driven processes and operational flexibility to the entire business by putting intelligence into products, factories and logistics, assets, and people. Typically, Supply chain management portfolio brings all the Industry 4.0 capabilities together across your ecosystem.
SAP also has an Industry 4.0 Solution which is built on nine technology pillars but the full potential of Industry 4.0 comes to life when they’re used together –
- Big Data and AI analytics
- Vertical and horizontal integration
- Cloud computing
- Augmented reality
- Industrial Internet of Things
- Additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing)
- Autonomous robots
- Simulation or digital twins
- Cybersecurity
