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Strategy Guide for Industry 4.0

06 April 20174 min reading

“Digital capabilities have critical significance to move forward with Industry 4.0. Developing digital skills requires time and stability. So a step-by-step approach is important. With our six steps compiled in this article, you can build your roadmap with a realistic approach in Industry 4.0.”

Burak Kesayak Industry 4.0 Platform industry4_0The fourth industrial revolution is encouraging ever-increasing globalization as companies and countries connect more firmly through supply chains and sensor networks around the world. While it may be difficult to trade products across some national borders, Industry 4.0 may overcome these obstacles by allowing companies to protect their own manufacturing networks and simply transferring ideas including software. For example; developments in 3D printing will ensure that parts, spare parts, and industrial equipment are transported, purchased and sold everywhere without having to send finished parts. Operations will become more global and more local at the same time.

OUR ROADMAP FOR THE INDUSTRY 4.0 With industry 4.0, digital capabilities are critical to advance. Developing digital skills requires time and stability. Therefore, a step-by-step approach is required. With these six steps we’ve compiled in this article, you can build your roadmap with a realistic approach to Industry 4.0.

Create your preliminary strategy for the Industry 4.0: Evaluate your digital knowledge by thinking about where you should be in Industry 4.0. Set clear targets to close the shortcomings. Categorize the measures that will give you the most value for your business and make sure whether they are in line with your overall strategy. Then create awareness of this preliminary strategy. Clearly explain the staff their tasks related to the preliminary map.

Start with your trial project: Use them to create proof of concept and show business value. Not every project can be successful, but it will help you learn the approach that applies to your company. Define a relatively narrow start scope for initial trial. Include the end-to-end concept of Industry 4.0 from material to customer supply (including after-sales services). Design pragmatically to compensate for standards or infrastructures that do not yet exist. Work with digital leaders outside your company. Work with beginners, universities or industry associations to accelerate your digital innovation.

Define the skills you need: Based on the lessons learned in your trial project, draw in detail the skills you need to achieve your goals and prepare a plan to build (or acquire) those skills. Incorporate technologically enabling elements such as agile and highly functional IT infrastructure with well-designed user interfaces that can take your business processes forward.

Master data analysis: The success in the Industry 4.0 depends on having access to data possibilities and using analytics with creative and effective methods. Establish cross-functional analytical capabilities that work within the company and outsourced expertise, aligned with the company’s strategic priorities. Develop ways to consolidate data from different parts of the business (for example, data in your quality, logistics and engineering functions). Apply these methods to the greatest number of situations, especially to differentiate your company or attract customers’ attention. Learn how to achieve data through intelligent system design, use real-time analytics to adapt products to customers, and continuously improve your processes.

Transform into a digital business: Catching up with the Industry 4.0 will likely require significant changes in your company’s practices and associated attitudes. Encourage a digital culture. All your employees should be willing to experiment, learn new ways of working and adapt their daily processes accordingly. Keep in mind that this change does not come to an end when you apply the Industry 4.0 application. It is important to remember that your company must keep up with all the phases of Industry 4.0 in order to survive in a competitive environment.

Adopt an ecosystem perspective: Develop complete product and service solutions for your customers. If you cannot do this within the company, you can progress by establishing partnerships. Learn the boundaries of your own company and look for ways to bridge with technical standards so you can make use of the platforms you cannot fully control. The biggest improvements in performance arise when you actively understand consumer behavior and organize a distinctive role for your company in a complex ecosystem such as business partners, suppliers and customers.

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