BUILDING SMARTER MANUFACTURING

The intersection of IT, manufacturing operations technology, and sustainability in Industry 4.0 represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity

- ROSHNI NADAR MALHOTRA

THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY is poised for a profound transformation. As Industry 4.0 gains momentum, it promises smarter factories, robust and digitally-enabled supply chains, data-driven processes, AI-powered decision-making, and a commitment to sustainability. The global Industry 4.0 market is projected to surpass $300 billion by 2030, showcasing its growing influence on industry operations.

At its heart, Industry 4.0 is about leveraging advanced technologies along with traditional systems to create intelligent and sustainable ecosystems.

The role of IT and digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) in this transformation cannot be overstated. Digital is, in fact, at the heart of this revolution by connecting systems, enabling real-time insights, and optimising resource use.

Catalyst for Sustainable Manufacturing

Industry 4.0 marks a shift from conventional manufacturing practices to a more connected, automated, and intelligent approach. Imagine a factory where machines communicate seamlessly, processes adjust in real-time, and every decision is backed by data and typically led by AI. This shop-floor-to-top-floor cohesiveness is now backed by a solid, reliable data backbone, and the entire manufacturing supply chain is connected via a digital thread. This isn't a vision for the future; it's the reality many manufacturers are embracing today.

Essentially, Industry 4.0 is powered by IT-driven technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), AI, cloud and edge computing, and big data analytics, with the emerging interventions from Generative AI.