There have been a few people in history who were able to invent machines, technologies and new methods that changed our future.  
The biggest influences made on manufacturing and producing goods are called industrial revolutions.

The Industry: Then and Now

The first industrial revolution happened at end of the 18th century. At that time the industry has replaced the agriculture as a result of the mass extraction of coal and the invention of the steam engine.

Nearly a century later, Michael Faraday invented the electric motor in 1827. New inventions hasted the appearance of new energy sources like gas and oil.

In the second half of the 20th century, a third industrial revolution arose with the appearance of nuclear energy. Eventually, this changed the electronics industry by empowering the evolution of small components like microprocessors which are the key elements of computers.

What is Industry 4.0?

The fourth industrial revolution, known as Industry 4.0 is has been born thanks to the Internet of Things (more precisely, the Industrial Internet of Things).

Among others, it is employed through automated manufacturing processes, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data analyzing software products. Hereby Industry 4.0 is changing the way businesses operate.

Within nowadays' so-called smart factories, systems can monitor physical processes, communicate and cooperate with each other and with people.
It goes beyond the spectrum of manufacturing and production, these systems are able to focus on the entire ecosystem of employees, suppliers, and customers.

Organizations need to decide how and where to invest in these new technologies and identify which ones might best meet their needs. Without a complete understanding of the changes and opportunities Industry, 4.0 brings, the level of possible risks rises rapidly.

The new business model

To sum up, Industry 4.0 is not just an advanced technology: it is the way how machines and devices work together, and how manufacturers harness them to accelerate growth. Therefore companies should examine taking the next step in the "smart" direction.

Computer Controls provide you with various components and software products to simplify the process to employ Industry 4.0 technologies. Moreover, we can support your success with technical papers and engineering services.

Related blog post: How analog integration supports the Industrial IoT

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