Industry 4.0 and the transformation process: identification of the key phases of the implementation of Industry 4.0 and designer of impact assessment

Abstract

The Hannover Messe 2011 trade fair marked a new start in the evolution of the manufacturing industry. At this fair, the German government used the term Industry 4.0 to highlight its High-tech 2020 strategy and its vision for the new industrial revolution. Leading the effort towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Germany is committed to helping promote sustainable industrial development through innovation and the adoption of the fourth industrial technology globally. Locally, the German government has contributed €200 million to support research projects aimed at exploring the potential of Industry 4.0, developing a clear understanding of its associated technologies, and designing a framework for its implementation in the industrial environment. This talk around Industry 4.0 has not only opened new discussions about the future of manufacturing but has also spread to other countries. As a result, similar initiatives have emerged in many industrialized countries. Focusing on this concept of Industry 4.0, this article analyzes the different phases of a successful implementation of digital technologies. The article analyzes several activities included in the implementation of I4.0 at the KACST SOLAR plant in Saudi Arabia, including the description of the digital maturity level of the current manufacturing facility, the assessment of the readiness and technological transformation requirements. While two assessments were performed to determine the digital maturity level and index of the current factory, they generated the roadmap for the digitization process. While there are several challenges to implementing I4.0, the conclusion describes the benefits of adopting it while providing a template for the best software choice.