SCM Insights · Technology Industry 4.0, M2M and the Internet of Things and Services: What are the challenges? Many studies have examined the opportunities afforded by Industry 4.0, M2M and the Internet of Things and Services. And all of them show that networking aspects of life that are completely independent at this time will yield opportunities that would have read like something from a science fiction novel just ten years ago.But, as I mentioned in my previous post, we need to bear in mind a few important parameters of crucial importance to the success of the technologies we are discussing here:Standardization of the information to be transferred (formats, content) and compatibility of the transmission channels.All the standard activities we are familiar with (and those mentioned above as well) largely use proprietary protocols for data exchange that inevitably involve a certain degree of competitiveness. These protocols are certainly appropriate over the short term and for pilot applications. But: This approach does not work for sustained, large-scale use. A cross-company and professionally operated solution is essential here. (more…)
SCM Insights Are you collaborating already, or do you just exchange data? In spite of the continuing spread of the Internet and the associated improvements to companies’ electronic networks, business processes are still largely based on the exchange of unstructured data by e-mail or even fax.This may well surprise us, particularly as the fourth industrial revolution, ‘Industry 4.0,’ was proclaimed some time ago, (more…)
