Throughout history, there have been three prior industrial revolutions.
From the invention of the steam engine in 1784 and the use of electricity in 1870 with the first assembly line to the first PLC in 1969, history does not repeat itself, but it rhymes.
We are currently facing the fourth industrial revolution, driven by pervasive connectivity. The Industry 4.0 term describes the journey industrial pioneers are taking towards a complete value chain transformation by digitizing essential functions within their vertical operation processes and with their horizontal partners in their value chains.
The Industry 4.0 concept is not new, but unlike before, we now have the knowledge and technology for it to become an affordable reality. All we have to do now is understand the past lessons to adapt, innovate, and transform our business practices.
We are now in a position to understand two different domains - OT and IT - play a role in today’s factory at different levels, from the shop floor to the control level. Industry 4.0 is not showing its full potential in factories because of the firewall between those domains.
To fully reap the benefits of Industry 4.0, we shall overcome the boundaries and bridge the gap between the OT and IT domains in the modern factory.
Join the upcoming webinar on “How to bridge the IT/OT divide in Industry 4.0” and tell us what you think!