The foundation of Industry 4.0 is automation and data exchange, and InfinityQS International, Inc. found in a recent survey of 260 manufacturers that 75% of respondents are still manually collecting data. Forty-seven percent of those rely on pencil and paper. The survey sought insight into the manufacturers' needs, processes and uses for data collection.
"To facilitate Industry 4.0, manufacturers must automate and standardize data collection processes and create a centralized repository that is accessible to all stakeholders within the organization," said a company spokesperson. When data is unified, from all sources, it is possible to visualize more than a single aspect of operations. The outcome is real-time visibility of the entire enterprise, from end to end - including suppliers, incoming inspection, raw materials, in-process checks from shop floor operators and the quality lab, process data, packaging and finished products. This visibility identifies potential opportunities to increase output, decrease costs and improve quality across manufacturing operations.
Michael Lyle, President and CEO, InfinityQS, said, "To reach the full potential of digital transformation, it is vital to find the right talent and resources to configure and deploy the technologies, as well as interpret the resulting data. However, what many manufacturers do not realize is that it is not an all or nothing proposal. There are small, less expensive steps that can be taken to adopt Industry 4.0 in a more iterative and agile manner."
To learn more about the first step to prepare a manufacturing organization for digital transformation, download the InfinityQS white paper from infinityqs.com
For more information contact:
InfinityQS International, Inc.
12601 Fair Lakes Circle Suite 250
Fairfax, VA 22033
800-772-7978
www.infinityqs.com