Step by step instead of Big Bang

Successful to Industry 4.0 despite investment hurdles and shortage of skilled workerAugsburg, 06.12.2017 Industry 4.0 is the future, networked production is a necessity to maintain competitiveness. But this future is barely tangible, especially for small and medium-sized companies, as they lack the money and personnel to implement I4.0 applications. But the first steps on the road to a smart factory do not require large investments, nor do you need to build up your own know-how, such as gbo datacomp, one of the leading Experts for comprehensive MES solutions, demonstrates.According to a representative survey by consulting firm Ernst & Young, 59 percent of the over 550 manufacturing companies surveyed in Germany regard the high investment costs as the biggest obstacle to the introduction of Industry 4.0 in their companies. At 57 percent, this is immediately followed by the shortage of skilled workers as a major obstacle. Companies with more than 500 employees also complain about the lack of standards (57 percent). Will the transition to data-driven production therefore take place without the much-vaunted hidden champions from Germany? “Not at all,” says Michael Möller, managing director of gbo datacomp GmbH. “SMEs in manufacturing must not succumb to the misconception that Industry 4.0 comes with a big bang strategy.” Möller argues for a step-by-step approach that focuses on the circumstances and requirements of the respective company. Instead of thinking about Industry 4.0 from the goal, gbo datacomp analyses the individual digitizationThe company's degree to identify where I4.0 applications can be used sensibly. “It doesn't have to be a completely individualized solution,” explains Möller. “Standardised modules, for example, reduce investment costs and do not require any in-depth IT know-how.” Such modules can be gradually added as part of digital transformation. Important here: The modules used must be flexible and scalable so that they can be expanded with other systems. Standards are essential for this. “That is why gbo is actively involved in the development of standards and interfaces in leading associations such as the VDMA or VDI,” adds Möller. gbo datacomp passes on this know-how to its customers, who use the step-by-step approach to overcome supposedly high obstacles such as investments and a shortage of skilled workers and successfully embark on their own path to Industry 4.0.