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 .