Industry 4.0 and IoT: Transforming the Manufacturing Industry

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – A massive change is coming in the way that manufacturing does business, ranging from the design and manufacturing of goods to how we service customers. Industry 4.0, otherwise known as the ‘4th Industrial Revolution’, along with IoT (Internet of Things) is central to digital transformation in the manufacturing industry. Creating a significant level of manufacturing agility is key to making it possible for customers’ needs, to be aligned with a business’s ability to deliver a product – virtually on demand.

Manufacturing originated from steam, then progressed to mechanised machines and evolved to the development of electricity, the assembly line and the introduction of mass production.  The 3^rd era of manufacturing introduced computers and the start of automation on assembly lines.  Now we enter a ‘Smart Future’ of Industry 4.0, whereby computers and automation come together in a new and innovative way to control robotics with very little human intervention, ultimately creating the ;smart factory’.

Industry 4.0 has already begun to transform products, how companies operate and how they manage production in this unique environment. It is a giant leap for manufacturing innovation, characterised by “smart devices” that can take control of machines on the shop floor, communicating autonomously “device-to-device” to manage manufacturing operations and distribution.  Through the monitoring of productivity and efficiency of employees, machinery and business processes, the company management is now able to access important information in real time. The  entire manufacturing value chain can be monitored, from concept to completion and beyond.

The fusion of Big Data, the Internet of Things, and advanced analytics is providing manufacturers with unprecedented insights—insights into manufacturing performance, customer behaviour, and new product development as never seen before.

Another critical benefit this new technology delivers is an consistent feedback flow between companies and their customers in which products could be improved – or highly influenced – by the end-user, transforming how products are designed and produced.

Industry 4.0 harnesses uncertainties and in its place, removes assumptions and risky forecasts, enabling a relevant level of actual knowledge and an new found level of insight. “The impact of these shifts is that there is a need for companies to manage the transition by up-skilling their workforce to utilise these technologies effectively and act upon that knowledge and insights. Importantly, these changes will create opportunities for the youth who are a lot more comfortable with technology and it will give them opportunities to enter the workplace’, says Saul Levin the Director of the Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), a not-for-profit economic research organisation.  

Manufacturers need to be prepared to translate that knowledge and awareness into concrete investments and real projects. For that to happen, manufacturers need to be convinced that Industry 4.0 will make a significant difference to their businesses, delivering a return on their investment.

Compared to the rest of the world, the current adoption and impact of industry 4.0 on the African continent remains low. However, it is a topic that is increasingly being acknowledged and discussed by industry leaders and policy makers, largely because of the impact smart technologies can make at a socio-economic level.

The biggest challenges in Africa/South Africa remain connectivity and accessibility, however, companies that have embraced IoT have already started to become more globally competitive as they streamline operations, increase productivity, and reduce costly wastage

Industry 4.0 will have a strong impact in the coming years on Africa/South Africa in general, especially the South African manufacturing industry. It remains a key topic in South Africa and the Manufacturing Indaba 2017 places a weighted value on the subject. Being an important focus, there will be a dedicated session focussing on the implementation of Industry 4.0 and its implications for South African manufacturers.