The effects of the much-discussed Fourth Industrial Revolution have not been as transformative as many expected. Therefore, it is time for a paradigm shift in how manufacturers and machine builders view industrial automation.
What happened to Industry 4.0 and all the revolutionary innovations we anticipated from this fourth industrial revolution? Some progress has certainly been made in various areas. However, the implicit promise of Industry 4.0—a new open world with endless possibilities—has not materialized.
One reason is that industrial automation still, to some extent, relies on older architectures and technologies. Another reason is that many automation solutions lack openness, often utilizing proprietary code that is locked to each manufacturer’s own hardware. This reduces flexibility, making it increasingly difficult to modernize existing production facilities and truly make them “digital.” It simply becomes too time-consuming and costly, which stifles innovation.
Convergence of IT and OT Creates Added Value
This is problematic because everywhere we look, digitalization is creating added value. Not least among end customers, who are demanding advanced digital tools such as analytics and artificial intelligence.
There is a clear need for convergence between IT and OT (Operational Technology). Customers need to integrate production facilities with business systems so that data flows freely between the shop floor and the boardroom.
Achieving all this is challenging—if not impossible—with the traditional view of industrial automation. What is needed is a fresh approach. A paradigm shift.
The Future of Industrial Automation – Open, Portable, and Flexible
At Schneider Electric, we believe that the automation industry will undergo a groundbreaking transformation in the coming years, driven by an unprecedented level of openness, portability, and flexibility.
At the heart of this development is the IEC 61499 standard, which builds on IEC 61131 and defines a generic model for distributed control systems. IEC 61499 is not new (it was actually published in 2005), but technological advancements now make it a potential game-changer in how we design the future of industrial automation.
If you need further guidance on industrial automation, feel free to reach out to Schneider Electric via our contact form or directly to Flemming Hansen at flemming.hansen@se.com.
Tags: EcoStruxure Automation Expert, Industrial Automation
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