Embracing Industry 4.0? Don’t overlook Cloud ERP

With the connectivity among devices from front officers to factory floors continuing to grow, Industry 4.0 is here – the fourth revolution in manufacturing and promises a more connected era where advanced technologies will drive greater efficiencies, innovation, and growth. McKinsey and the World Economic Forum predict that the fourth industrial revolution may deliver an estimated USD $3.7 trillion in value for the global economy by 2025, through new products and services. Tech Expert senior vice president for applications at Oracle UK and Ireland Guy Armstrong shares an article on Computer Weekly covering Industry 4.0’s advantage and the importance of keeping Cloud ERP (enterprise resource planning) in mind. “When thinking about how to gain a competitive advantage in this era of smart manufacturing,” Armstrong notes,  “business leaders cannot overlook the importance of a cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) environment. In addition to finance capabilities, leading cloud ERP systems deliver a full suite of capabilities including HR, procurement, supply chain planning, logistics, and more.”

The fourth industrial revolution requires cloud software. “As the fourth industrial revolution gains steam, cloud ERP and SaaS applications will be critical to enabling more efficient workflows, particularly when compared to traditional on-premises systems. For example, leading SaaS applications allow manufacturing leaders to make quick decisions using machine-generated data and coordinate production processes with broader business goals.”

Enhanced connectivity requires robust data security. “In a smart factory, countless sensors collect data from machines, vehicles, and workers in the facility. The growing number of connected IoT devices, and the data flowing between them, can create a larger attack surface for cyber incidents. This poses significant risk as a single vulnerable point in production can end up exposing an entire plant or company to a potential cyberattack. SaaS like cloud ERP can help prevent these scenarios and support cyber resilience with automated updates to ensure organizations are running the latest software and providing insights into potential vulnerabilities.”

Cloud computing and scalability. “Many smart manufacturing projects get stuck in the pilot stage, primarily because their IT systems and key data are siloed across various factories and facilities. Cloud-based enterprise software offers a clear advantage. Well-designed cloud-based SaaS can address these issues by providing organizations with a single set of data that can be used in managing manufacturing processes, the supply chain, finance, and other functions.”

Real-time decision-making and workflow optimization. “By selecting a leading SaaS applications vendor that has integrated cloud ERP and supply chain management (SCM) software, manufacturers can use the insights produced by these systems to make more strategic decisions, allowing for increased visibility and improved workflow optimization.”

Embracing the future of manufacturing. “The first Industrial Revolution was powered by steam, and today the fourth is fueled by data. However, it’s cloud ERP that act as a lynchpin, connecting critical streams of data from connected devices, and turning them into real-time actionable insights for organizations. The adaptability, accessibility, and resilience of cloud-based business applications make them the natural foundation for any organization looking to reap the benefits of Industry 4.0.”

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