Industry 4.0: the vision of the solutions integrator

By Jorge Brito, head M2M, IoT, I4.0 and Innovation at T-Systems do Brasil

Industry 4.0, Advanced Manufacturing and Digital Manufacturing are terms widely used today to support the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution, which continues the old movements marked by the evolution of machines.

The First Industrial Revolution emerged in England in the middle of the 18th century, with the predominant factor being the mechanization of manufacturing processes. The Second, in turn, was characterized by the electrification of industries. Terceira brought electronics and IT to the factory floor.

Finally, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is associated with the development of sensors, processes, ITC and high availability solutions / applications, which ensures greater connectivity between machines in a factory and, as a consequence, greater assertiveness in decision making.

This most recent technological movement can also be called the Information Revolution, since there is an integration of data in the development of new products and solutions.

Thus, the Fourth Industrial Revolution presents us with the right data, from the right place, at the right time and in the right device. This scenario requires traceability in the process chain, given that the entrepreneur, the industrial director and the Plant Manager are concerned with obtaining the appropriate information in time to make decisions and enhance their business. This can be summed up in two words: visibility and, most importantly, predictability.
The following are some points of interest in the market and success factors for Advanced Manufacturing: