The smart factory

Industry 4.0 ushers in the concept of “smart factory,” which promotes machine-to-machine communications and integrated systems that can drive greater collaboration amongst producers, suppliers, and other stakeholders along
the manufacturing value chain.

The smart factory represents a leap forward from more traditional automation to a fully connected and flexible system—one that can use a constant stream of data from connected operations and production systems to learn and adapt to new demands

The strategic importance of smart factories is undeniable, as early adopters have reported operating more efficiently and driving more to the bottom line. In the United Stated alone, 86 percent of manufacturers believe that smart factories will be tha main driver of competition by 2025. Furthermore, 83 percent believe that smart factories will transform the way products are made