What is Industry 4.0?

Industry 4.0 is the fourth revolution that has occurred in manufacturing. The name is inspired by Germany's Industrie 4.0, a government initiative to promote connected manufacturing and a digital convergence between industry, businesses and other processes. Globally this is also known as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

From the first industrial revolution (mechanization through water and steam power) to mass production and assembly lines using electricity in the second, followed by the addition of computers in Industry 3.0, the fourth industrial revolution will add automation and enhance it with smart and autonomous systems fueled by data and machine learning.

In Industry 4.0 computers are connected and can communicate with one another to ultimately make decisions without human involvement. A combination of cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things and the Internet of Systems make Industry 4.0 possible. Industry 4.0 takes the emphasis on digital technology from recent decades to a whole new level with the help of interconnectivity through the Internet of Things (IoT), access to real-time data, and the introduction of cyber-physical systems. It offers a more comprehensive, interlinked, and holistic approach to manufacturing. 

Industry 4.0 connects physical with digital and allows for better collaboration and access across departments, partners, vendors, products, and people. It empowers business owners to better control and understand every aspect of their operation and allows them to leverage instant data to boost productivity, improve processes, and drive growth. Industry 4.0 offers the opportunity for manufacturers to optimize their operations quickly and efficiently by knowing what needs attention.