May 2019

| 12 | May 2019 www.smartmachinesandfactories.com | FEATURES | G lobal competition, shifting customer demands and a surge in digitalisation are just some of the trends changing the face of modern manufacturing. To keep up with this change of pace, many manufacturers are now starting out on their own Industry 4.0 journeys. But while there is no magic formula to this transformation, there are some common stumbling blocks, which can be avoided. By avoiding these common stumbling blocks, which often complicate the job of introducing IoT, manufacturers can take a strategic approach to digital transformation which perfectly complements their business. 1: Too much too soon With Industry 4.0 being the buzzword on the industry’s lips right now, it’s easy for manufacturers to fall into the trap of believing that digitalisation requires a complete overhaul. In With more than five years’ experience in the introduction of Industry 4.0 – gained both through its own operations and in supporting other companies – Bosch Rexroth shares some advice on adopting a digitalisation strategy by discussing the top five stumbling blocks in the introduction of Industry 4.0. Avoiding the traps of digitalisation