PECM Issue 43 2020 | Page 15

The benefits of digital transformation in the industrial sector include improving asset health and reducing unplanned downtime, and better asset performance and enhanced incident prediction capabilities that have the power to lower operational risk and protect worker safety. Other new digital innovations available for manufacturers include Context Driven Interfaces, which increase efficiency and enable informed decision making; Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning, which allow the automation of low skilled tasks; and IIOT devices that use sensor technology to deliver low cost sensing to drive efficiency without impacting control networks. One good example of a company which has embraced digitalisation is Procter & Gamble with its “decision cockpits.” Acting on the need to empower employees at all levels through data, it has created cockpits which take the form of real-time, one-stop screens displaying the current state of the business and any important trends. This data is accessible to all employees at any time, helping them stay informed and engaged, enabling faster and more accurate decision making and delivering cost savings and operational efficiencies. And Proctor & Gamble are not alone. BMW, Rolls Royce, Schneider Electric, Starbucks, Ikea and even Domino’s Pizza have all digitally transformed their business models to give themselves the competitive edge. A recent report found that the early adoption of advanced digital technologies by the UK manufacturing sector could grow the UK economy by £455bn, create 175,000 new jobs, increase productivity and cut CO2 emissions over the next 10 years, so it’s easy to see why digitalisation has become such a key part of organisations’ industrial strategies. It’s also easy to see how failure to act now will create a huge gulf between manufacturers in the next two to three years. Digitalisation cannot be delayed any longer; the potential of Industry 4.0 must be recognised now. It will play a key role in shaping and enabling the growth of the manufacturing industry in the years to come. Email: [email protected] Phone: 0161 495 4600 For further information, please visit www.solutionspt.com Issue 43 PECM 15