How has Industry 4.0 influenced current business model?

The rapid implementation of the Industry 4.0 (smart manufacturing) concept has covered a wide range of industrial companies moving to fully automated digital production. Constant real-time interaction of intelligent systems with external environment brings the manufacturing process to a new level. Besides technological alteration itself, it is a business model of interaction between producers and consumers that is fundamentally changing at the same time. The most important consequence of the Industry 4.0 is ability to instantly reconfigure the production process in order to produce not “mass”, but tailor-made personalized products in accordance with specific customer needs. Thanks to robotized production, manufacturers are now able to overcome such drawbacks of customized production process as energy efficiency problems, excessive waste and unsustainable quality.

How do you think what is the greatest advantage of Industry 4.0 for small and medium-size companies?

The customization of manufactured goods and services opens up great opportunities, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Additive technologies, micro sensor devices, virtual reality, internet of things enable smaller companies to respond to customers’ demand in manufacturing of various goods very fast. Apparel, implants, machines’ subparts and components, museums and exhibition models, jewelry, souvenirs – you name it. INDEX Online learning course created within the framework of this project will provide a great opportunity to explore basics of Industry 4.0 concept and learn about cutting-edge technologies applicable in various spheres of customized goods and services production.