Industry 4.0 refers to a phase in the Industrial Revolution that focuses heavily on interconnectivity, automation, machine learning, and real-time data. The term derives from the german “Industrie 4.0”, which picked up usage at the 2011 Hannover Fair.
Industry 4.0, which encompasses IIoT (the Industrial Internet of Things) and smart manufacturing, combines physical production and operations with smart digital technology, machine learning, and big data to create a more holistic and better-connected ecosystem for companies that focus on manufacturing and supply chain management.
While every company and organization operating today is different, they all face a common challenge—the need for connectedness and access to real-time insights across processes, partners, products and people.
Text sources:
https://gesrepair.com/industry-4-and-5/
https://www.epicor.com/en-us/resource-center/articles/what-is-industry-4-0/
https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrializare_4.0
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/dem/monitor/sites/default/files/DTM_Industrie%204.0.pdf
https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/dem/monitor/content/germany-industrie-40