Manufacturing can become faster and much more flexible with consistent, IT-assisted value chains. A newly published whitepaper from Rittal shows the key role IT plays in what is termed Industry 4.0 and explains how companies can establish the infrastructure that is required to bring the concept to fruition.

The new “IT infrastructure in the context of Industry 4.0” whitepaper from Rittal is now available to download. 

The document is aimed at decision-makers as well as anyone responsible for production and IT and details the opportunities that Industry 4.0 is creating through new and existing infrastructures. 

The whitepaper shows how IT and production can be effectively interlinked, and outlines the interdependence of “back office” and “factory” functions.  It also highlights the similarity of the challenges faced by production managers and system administrators as well as the differences that continue to exist between them. To function effectively and maximise the benefits afforded by Industry 4.0 the differences between these two parts of the business must narrow. 

The whitepaper identifies data quality as one of the key requirements to deliver success under Industry 4.0. There are also some suggested practical ways that businesses can start to apply Industry 4.0 methodologies and a demonstration of how Rittal components and solutions can help create an Industry 4.0 infrastructure.

Why Industry 4.0 is important

Manufacturing needs to rapidly and flexibly adapt to new customer requirements and market demands. 

The concept of Industry 4.0 is one where businesses can automate their production processes to a greater degree, and where machines can network with each other, making production processes more flexible.

The basis of Industry 4.0 is underpinned by IT systems that represent the entire value chain across design and manufacturing.  It is a network of intelligent machines that communicate with one another creating self-regulating manufacturing processes and providing highly efficient volume production (even with small batch sizes).

The “IT infrastructure in the context of Industry 4.0” whitepaper can be obtained free of charge from the Rittal website: www.rittal.com/whitepaper .