18 Jun
2019

Becoming a Digital Champion in Industry 4.0

Are you ready to implement 4.0 technologies in your factory? Explore what it implies to become a digital champion and turn into one in no time!

Industry 4.0
Technology
IIoT
Becoming a Digital Champion in Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 is here and its derived innovations are only multiplying. In full effervescence, we will continue to witness a rapid evolution of technology as it keeps expanding to cover more intricate tasks. Contrary to some belief, these 4.0 advancements are not only reserved to manufacturing giants. Canadian manufacturers are, in fact, in a prime position to take full advantage of this digital transformation as Canada is home to various industries.


Switching to 4.0 manufacturing is part of the plan some organizations, but only a few have taken the leap as it remains worrisome for many. Manufacturers see the benefits associated with Industry 4.0 but are unsure of how to begin and are concerned about the return on investment. PwC states the following: "Globally, only 10% of companies in key sectors like auto manufacturing, consumer goods, electronics and industrial equipment, have been able to master the cultural, strategic and operational changes needed to support Industry 4.0." These organizations are labelled as digital champions. By integrating 4.0 technologies across their organizations, such as end-to-end digital platforms like IoT sensors and cloud-based software programs, they are able to better manage their processes as well as collect immediate insights.

 

 

A look into 4.0 ecosystems

For the digitization to be successful, champions must opt for a holistic approach and view their operations as a set of ecosystems in interaction with one another.

  • Customer solutions ecosystem: Digital solutions for customers permit the collection of insights, such as patterns in consumer behaviour, and real-time information.
  • Operations ecosystem: This ecosystem is the most significant to manufacturers, allowing them to reach greater efficiencies through every step of the value chain. Production data and insights are obtained with smart sensors while trends are explored and inconsistencies are identified with dashboards. Having access to real-time data is essential for 4.0 organizations as it serves as a better basis for decision making.
  • Technology ecosystem: Under this ecosystem falls all technology within an organization, from CRM to cybersecurity solutions and entreprise applications. Technology is used to drive changes and choices, all while potentially enhancing daily activities. A company's business and digital strategy go hand in hand as technology powers strategy. Partners or strategic alliances often help leverage digital opportunities.
  • People ecosystem: Any transformation one tries to implement will not be successful if it is not embraced by employees. They are the ones at the heart of change, driving it across the company. To foster the right people ecosystem, it'll require training, ups killing, performance management, recruitment, and more. Again according to PwC, more than 90% highly digitized companies have a person responsible of the employee experience.

 

 

How to get started

Transitioning to 4.0 can seem tedious and frightening given the risk and costs involved but it does not have to be. If approached in a methodical way that goes alongside the digital strategy of the organization, your shift can be executed without too many hurdles. Get started with these five steps:

  1. Identify a digital strategy champion
  2. Upskill your team
  3. Create a plan that builds momentum
  4. Develop an integrated operations model
  5. Take advantage of the new value chain

 

To read more on PwC's approach to digital champions, click here.

Want to learn more?
Download the ebook
Related blog articles

Related articles

Back to the blog
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
17
Oct 2019

La gestion manufacturière: le maestro de l'usine de production alimentaire

French
19
Jun 2019

5 First Steps Towards Artificial Intelligence

English
22
Oct 2019

Comprendre les facteurs et les données du TRG

French

Related articles

Back to the blog
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
30
Jul 2024

Qu'est-ce que la cadence dans le secteur manufacturier

À l’aide d’exemples concrets et d’informations pratiques, découvrez pourquoi calculer et monitorer la cadence sont votre voie vers une production optimisée.

French
3
Jul 2024

L’industrie 4.0 : l'avenir de l'efficacité opérationnelle avec Worximity

French
3
Jul 2024

Comment analyser la cadence

La cadence est une mesure importante des performances de l’usine. Non seulement elle indique si l'usine peut répondre à la demande des clients, mais elle constitue également un indicateur de l'efficacité globale de l'usine.

French