If you’re a business, plant, or IT leader within a manufacturing or utility company, you’ve probably heard of Industry 4.0. If not, check out our recent post about the basics of Industry 4.0!
You understand the potential power of these advanced technologies and how they can help you reduce downtime and costs, improve quality and processes, and optimize your resources and supply chain. So, what exactly is holding you back from fully embracing Industry 4.0?
The truth is, if you haven’t started digitizing your production value chain, you’re already behind. The fourth industrial revolution is not a hypothetical of the distant future—it’s happening right now, in front of our eyes. These technologies are revolutionizing the way we manufacture products, and it’s the companies that are putting strategies in place now that will ultimately reap the ultimate rewards of adoption.
The problem? According to a recent survey, 70% cite digital manufacturing as a top priority, but most are struggling to realize its full potential at scale. Many organizations are getting stuck in “pilot purgatory” where they’ve started adopting certain aspects of digital manufacturing but have yet to realize its impact.
According to McKinsey, the solution starts with “a holistic approach to digital manufacturing—one that considers the fundamentals of the organization and the business as much as it focuses on the technology-related factors.”
In other words, rather than getting overwhelmed by the enormity of Industry 4.0 and trying to take on everything at once, take a step back, get strategic, and only bite off what you can chew.
Start by identifying your most significant business pain point.
Are you struggling with downtime during critical production events? Are you failing to meet customer expectations with on-time delivery? Do you have zero visibility into when a machine in your production line will need maintenance? Are your inventory costs spiraling out of control? Is safety a concern within your plant environment? Are out-of-stock events the norm?
Once you have this clear in your mind, create an Industry 4.0 strategy focused around eliminating that one singular issue. Your roadmap should clearly outline the size and scope of the problem, the potential value associated with a solution, and the tech stack and partnerships that you’ll need to succeed.
Before you adopt any Industry 4.0 megatrends, start by focusing on your core business problem and explore solutions that will make the largest impact on your bottom line. By taking a step back and taking a more holistic approach to Industry 4.0, you can stay focused on the things that give your company a long-term competitive advantage.
As staffing experts and consultants in the technology and manufacturing spaces, 3Ci and MAU are uniquely positioned to help you solve your Industry 4.0 challenges. Get in touch with our team today.