Use your data: Embrace Manufacturing 4.0
For over 30 years, manufacturers have generated vast amounts of data. Yet without enormous computing power, they could not unlock the insights held inside—leaving them data rich but information poor.
Turn data into insights you can act on
Today’s digital revolution reverses that trend. By making use of the big computing power of the cloud, the Internet of Things (IoT), and machine learning, manufacturers can now connect and transform millions of pieces of data into intelligence that’s conducive to action. These insights can help you make better decisions faster, improve product design, and ensure quality manufacturing processes. And, by gathering information about how customers use and interact with products in real time, you can create value-add services that will delight customers and provide new revenue streams.
Harness value in the Manufacturing 4.0 revolution
Digital transformation is a journey, and even incremental steps have the power to improve product quality, reduce costs, and help you glean valuable insights that can transform your business. Manufacturing 4.0 can be applied to nearly every area of your organization, from production to sales and customer service.
Consider the case of “corrections” on your manufacturing floor. Every correction in manufacturing occurs post-event—that is, after you’ve already expended significant material and labor costs producing an item, only to find that it doesn’t meet quality standards.
Now imagine that you knew exactly what qualities to look for and when to check the item earlier to confirm that it should move forward. Machine learning and predictive analytics deliver those insights. By combining historical data with real-time data and applying that knowledge in the field, you can learn when an item hits a step in the production process where you can schedule upfront quality checks before spending more resources on it. This ensures that production quality is high at every step of the line and that you deliver items that meet consumer expectations.
Machine learning is also useful in maintaining your manufacturing lines and avoiding costly, unexpected downtime due to mechanical failures. With predictive models that identify when parts will wear out, supervisors can schedule repairs and avoid unplanned work stoppages. By optimizing operations and taking corrective actions, you can pass along savings to shareholders or reinvest in the business.
Connected products, new opportunities
When you’re further along on your digital transformation journey, you can build a rich ecosystem around smart, connected products. By gathering data that shows how customers are using products, you can create value-add services that meet their needs, such as remote monitoring and predictive maintenance. These insights can develop opportunities and business models that never existed before.
Create a digital roadmap
At Microsoft, our digital advisory specialists have experience working closely with manufacturing teams at every stage of their digital transformation journey. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re already on your way, we will craft a digital roadmap to help you join the Manufacturing 4.0 revolution. And with datacenters around the world, we offer global manufacturers comprehensive data compliance and protective data sovereignty, to meet the local requirements of these engagements. Let’s get started!
See how you can embrace manufacturing 4.0 and find meaningful actions and insights from your data:
Learn how to transform manufacturing
with Microsoft Services
