Covering Disruptive Technology Powering Business in The Digital Age

By: Jon Baker, SAP Practice Leader, ASEAN at DXC Technology

Countless manufacturing units are currently utilising at least some Industry 4.0 strategies and technologies, and you may be one of them. By using the advantages of the networked facility, Industry 4.0 enhances the effectiveness of pre-existing instruments like automation robots and Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software.

The importance of embracing the increased use of technology is that it enables an organisation to enjoy a slew of benefits – from increased productivity, lower costs, the ability to make smarter decisions, managing growth and gaining a competitive advantage. Hence, one overlooked fact is how modernising your systems, especially your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), can contribute greatly to preparing your organisation for the Industry 4.0 future.

Case in point, DXC Technology features a variety of SAP-based solutions to lessen the impact of digital transformation on clients throughout the world, allowing them to better adapt to shifting economic conditions. Today, we will examine how a modern, cloud-ready ERP system can facilitate four successful strategic initiatives for manufacturing organisations, thereby supporting the transition to Industry 4.0:

1. Intelligent Products
   Intelligent Products are connected, self-aware products that are capable of sharing various information, such as their health, location, usage level, storage conditions, and more. This valuable data can help businesses improve everything from product quality and customer service to logistics and R&D, as well as anticipate service needs, receive remote upgrades, and open the door to new, service-based business models. To achieve all this, manufacturers need to leverage advanced connectivity in order to monitor market trends and innovation to deliver on their customers’ unique needs. They need to design products and assets that have built-in sensors that are able to capture real-time data. Last but not least, they must digitise the whole product lifecycle – from design to decommission, to improve and automate innovation, design, production engineering, and assembly processes – and share information seamlessly throughout.
2. Intelligent Factories and Logistics
   From the dawn of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0), Intelligent Factories and Logistics have enabled businesses to see how their operations are performing end to end and adjust output accordingly. Modern manufacturing facilities are becoming increasingly autonomous and adaptable thanks to real-time data and AI utilisation. This enables businesses to swiftly adjust to changing market conditions and client demands while maintaining a tight rein on operational expenses, production levels, and product quality.An intelligent factory is designed to be agile, adaptable, and ready to support changing production scenarios, while intelligent logistics is tightly integrated with manufacturing for advanced receiving/shipping and production supply management.
3. Intelligent Assets
   When it comes to operational asset performance, intelligence is key in intelligent factories with high levels of automation and networked operations. Because information is stored and processed in isolated silos, many businesses are in the dark about the true state of their assets. It causes a lot of wasted time and effort that might have been avoided. The latter can only flourish in a world where all processes are connected to and automatically maintained by intelligent assets. Ultimately, the data that is collected and analysed from connected equipment and machinery gives manufacturers a greater ability to increase efficiency, eliminate unplanned downtime and reduce overheads as well as cost leakage by removing the need for unnecessary maintenance.
4. Empowered People
   Finally, industries will always require human involvement no matter how advanced technology becomes. The intellectual demands of human work increase as more nuanced knowledge and data-driven decision-making are called for. As a result, equipping workers with the resources and information they need at the point of work is essential and encourages them to do their work more instinctively and efficiently, especially in unplanned circumstances that call for quick, on-the-fly choices.

These four initiatives form the core of manufacturing operations and must not be transformed or function in isolation. In fact, they are the pillars of SAP’s Industry 4.0 initiative, where connecting the four pillars will help manufacturers move digitalisation from factory-focused initiatives to a company-wide, competitive business strategy that combines manufacturing automation with enterprise business information and execution.

Understanding how to leverage Industry 4.0 technologies and Next Practice thinking beyond the status quo is key in developing a roadmap and ongoing successful digital transformation program. DXC leverages best-of-breed technologies and solutions such as SAP to deliver successful outcomes for their customers. Learn more about how DXC can assist in your Industry 4.0 journey by clicking here.

If you wish to know how SAP can help tie up loose ends in your Industry 4.0 journey, check out the interactive image below:

Jon Baker, SAP Practice Leader, ASEAN at DXC Technology

Jon Baker, SAP Practice Leader for ASEAN, has over 17 years of experience in Business Information Technology, 11 of which were spent at SAP. He has expertise in customer requirements and outcomes, leveraging technology and delivery to ensure customer success. Jon brings experience in various roles and industries, including leading the SAP Indonesia 2020 Growth Plan and leading a team of Partner Business Managers as Channel Lead – South East Asia. He has also worked for GRC technology firm Satori and CRM/ITSM VAR Aaromba Technologies. Based in Singapore, Jon is keen to improve his Bahasa Indonesia language skills and in his spare time enjoys playing sports and listening to music.

Email: jon.baker@dxc.com

(0)(0)