A literature Review of Industry 4.0
Introduction to the literature review
The literature review is about the industrial revolution of the fourth revolution of industry (industry 4.0). In the literature, a brief summary of various aspects of the industry will be explored comprehensively. The literature review covers the major differences between industry 3.0 and industry 4.0. Major challenges, as well as the opportunities of industry 4.0, will be given. It will further give various information technology strategies of this era of the industrial revolution. A detailed analysis of the transformations that industry 4.0 has brought in the interconnected and competitive industry against industry 3.0 will also get evaluated. Industry 4.0 has come up as a result of technological advancements.
Differences between industry 4.0 and industry 3.0
According to Fritscher and Pigneur 2009, industry 3.0 entails already interconnected industry. It is, therefore, the current technological solutions in the world of automation being experienced by current industries. They are commonly called digital industries, whose revolution began in the 1970s with the advancement in technology. During this era, various changes and more robots were brought in the assembly line in order to accomplish most tasks that were done by individuals. For example, there was the use of programmable robots and logic controllers. The era is characterized by quality analysis, supply management, product design, and inventory tracking that were realized through load balancing, middleware, Microsoft, web servers, and databases (Fritscher and Pigneur, 2009, p. 44). Unlike industry 3.0, industry 4.0 has come up with internet of things and advanced means of enhancing production efficiency by companies in the industry. Furthermore, it has brought up high quality analysis of product designs by manufacturing companies, far much better than what industry 3.0 contributed in the industry.
The publication made by Johnson and Christen 2008, reveals that Industry 4.0, is the fourth era in the industrials revolutions of the cyber-physical system. The era entails storage systems, smart machines, and production equipment with the capacity of autonomously passing information controlling each other independently as well as triggering actions. It is clear that the era provides more advancement in the field of the industry through intensive researches being conducted with a view to shaping the future of such industries. The industrial evolutions targets at ensuring that effective operation aiming at improving the development of new businesses by creating huge economic influence as opposed to other industrial evolutions. In this era, industries will ensure that business organizations establish advanced storage systems, advanced production systems with the capacity to exchange information through digital means (Johnson and Christeen, 2008, p.51). Increased evolution in the production sector by most companies has been enhanced by industry 4.0 which has come up with technologies that enhance machine efficiency in terms of time, quantity of produces, as well as quality products as demanded by customers in the market.
Challenges of industry 4.0
The scholars such as Lee and Yang 2015 revealed that industry 4.0 is encountered by a number of challenges which barricade these industries from realizing the set goals of the industrial revolutions. The problem of insufficient qualification of employees is profound and hence a great Destructor. Additionally, the management of the fourth revolution organization needs good planners who are proactive and highly committed towards the achievement of the set objectives in order to move the industry to a higher….Continue Reading….