Most manufacturers are just now embarking on their exploration of Industry 4.0 and figuring out how to use automation, data exchange, cloud computing, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to create smart factories. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition of “explore” is “to travel in or through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about or familiarize oneself with it.” In my role as the marketing leader for our company’s industrial and high tech verticals, I frequently discuss the future of manufacturing with our customers. These are exciting times in terms of both technological advancements and clarity around the potential for a new world order in manufacturing.
I think there are interesting analogies between the era of the great explorers and the current state of the manufacturing landscape. When Christopher Columbus set out on his first voyage to the New World in 1492, his objective was to find a passage to the riches of the Far East. His aspirations were lofty, but his plans were flawed, and he had trouble showing investors a return on investment as he struggled to obtain the funding for his trip. He famously miscalculated the earth’s circumference, and of course, he was caught by surprise by the tremendous land mass of the American continents. The voyage was long. The setbacks were many. There were prolonged periods where he was unable to give feedback to his backers, and to be honest, there were many at home who doubted whether he would return at all. Ultimately, Columbus journeyed back to Spain with the treasures of an entirely new continent that—although not perfectly aligned with his original goals—provided his supporters with unprecedented returns.