Today’s world has never been more dynamic, and it’s constantly changing at an accelerated rate by adopting more advanced technologies. Industry 4.0 refers to these accelerated changes to the way we live, work, and communicate. Industry 4.0, in its essence, describes the trend towards automation and data manipulation—mostly in the manufacturing environment—which include cyber-physical systems, the internet of things and systems, information and communications technology, new materials, big data, cloud and cognitive computing, augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Quality 4.0, a subset of Industry 4.0, integrates the features from Industry 4.0 with traditional quality tools and methodologies to achieve better operational excellence, overall performance, and innovation. Quality 4.0 combines people, processes, and technologies to accomplish these goals along with complete digitalization of quality management systems. It doesn’t substitute for traditional quality tools and methodologies, but rather builds and improves upon them.
In the light of these changes and new technologies, companies will rely more on automated systems to collect required data to be able to verify product and process conformance. These automated systems will include sophisticated sensors, robots with artificial intelligence capabilities, machines able to constantly learn, and other technologically advanced equipment to collect data from the manufacturing processes and then, using analytics, monitor process performance and take proactive measures if the processes start to deviate from the target. This equipment is designed to support the manufacturing processes with accurate data collection, producing more effective measurement, analysis, and control.