Three years ago, and long before the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Made Smarter Review advised UK manufacturers that the application of Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs) could bring significant enhancements to performance and productivity. Industrial digitisation is the application of digital tools and technologies to the value chains of businesses who make things (eg aero, auto and defence, nuclear, food & drink).

Then the world 'paused' with Covid and many companies had to stop and/or re-evaluate their priorities - quickly establishing what new controls and investments may be needed to survive and thrive for the future. Ensuring their employees were safe and well became an overnight priority alongside developing team and factory survival strategies for an uncertain marketplace and future.

Companies have adapted - and productivity across many sectors - although greatly reduced - still continues. And Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs), far from being removed from revised strategies, have suddenly become a focus - not just for competitive advantage but also to facilitate connectivity and new ways of remote working from home.

The move towards new forms of data control, artificial intelligence, cyber security, digitalisation, etc are all pushing businesses towards Industry 4.0 -what is called the 'Fourth Industrial Revolution' - and maybe this has been accelerated due to Covid and remote working? According to the MadeSmarter review, the investment in Industrial Digitalisation Technologies can lead to improved productivity and controls, a much safer work environment and improved satisfaction through the advances in team connectivity and replacement of repetitive tasks. And Covid appears to have moved industry closer to creating value through the smart use of IDTs - and in the post-Covid future, which hopefully will not be too long away, employees may increasingly be hired for knowledge-based production roles, rather than manual work.

Industry 4.0 helps SMEs overcome the challenges mentioned above by:

• Adapting to new technologies or production strategies in the manufacturing industry can be difficult, but once done the whole process of manufacturing takes a shift. This shift results in increased production, greater operations management and improved preventive maintenance etc.

• With Industry 4.0’s software solutions, individualisation of customer requirements, (Customisation) flexibility and adaptability of manufacturing processes becomes more evident. When the customer’s needs are met and issues are solved in a shorter lead time, new lead generation and opportunities arise.

• When it comes to on-going cost reduction, sometimes insisted by customers, implementing a wide range of Industry 4.0 applications and software solutions will lead to increased productivity, reduction in cost, improve labour productivity, increase asset utilisation and reduce operating costs. All these help SMEs to maintain profitability and job security in these uncertain times.

• Financial instability is another challenge, however with cloud integrated solutions provided by Industry 4.0, it’s easy and cost effective to implement within organisations.

• Each bespoke software addresses the challenges faced in manufacturing processes. Our wide range of software solutions include Maximus ERP, Titan CMMS, Data Point Scorecard, Production T-Card, and much more, all of them enhancing the production and manufacturing process.

Maximus is an Industry 4.0 cloud ERP for small and medium businesses, binding all data driven processes into a single interface and facilitates workflow, production and error free transaction

Titan CMMS reduces downtime, maintenance costs, and accidents, designed with the purpose of organisations achieving Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) goals and Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE).

Data Point gives an overview of business strategies and KPI’s with key features on the ways to improve it. It integrates with the other management information and ERP systems in the organisation which help in achieving the future goals of the organisation.

Our production T-Card system is a web-based solution for production planning, employee scheduling and production execution. This web-based solution helps the manufacturer to transform the factory into an Industry4.0 environment. As SMEs are an asset to economic growth, incorporating lean and Industry 4.0 is inevitable and vital for future growth. By implementing Industry 4.0, SMEs can embrace the future realm of manufacturing.

Data Point is a computerised balanced scorecard software. It takes into consideration all aspects of an organisation and helps to identify how the strategy is being implemented. Data point enables organisations to monitor and manage performance metrics and strategy implementation to achieve future goals.

T-Card is a web-based solution for production planning, employee scheduling, and production execution that helps the manufacturer to transform the factory into an Industry 4.0 environment.

A balanced scorecard helps you assess and measure the progress of your business and its path toward the business’overall strategy...