Jon Wrennall says that many are familiar with the concept of Industry 4.0, but are led to believe that businesses are well on their way in digital transformation.
“The reality is that there is a growing gap between executive ambition and transformative action,” he explains. “In fact, according to a recent KPMG report, just 43% have a coherent Industry 4.0 strategy. This tells us there’s a job to be done in increasing confidence among late digital adopters.”
Advanced is using the Cloud to help manufacturers take Industry 4.0 forward. In July, the company acquired Hudman, developer of cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, as part of a new Cloud-first strategy. Three months on, it has unveiled Advanced Business Cloud Essentials, as the new name for the Hudman SaaS ERP solution and signed up several manufacturers during the process.
James Gourmet Coffee, J S Bailey and Aspire Furniture are examples of organisations that have invested in the solution, which covers the entire business process from accounts and payroll through to operations, stock, customers and the supply chain.
However, research from Advanced also shows there are still many organisations that are yet to make the jump to cloud technology. Just 33% admit to being experienced in the cloud and 37% have only recently launched cloud computing projects for the first time. Meanwhile, a massive 82% want to see Cloud providers do more to build confidence among those looking to adopt a digital transformation strategy.
Mark Dewell, managing director of commercial and third sector at Advanced, adds: “The latest customer wins are sure signs that Cloud adoption is accelerating within the manufacturing industry. It’s encouraging to see the Cloud is recognised as making a real difference to their business. We now want to build on this success and bring more organisations like J S Bailey to the Cloud, embracing ERP and enabling them to be part of the trend that is Industry 4.0. But, until we – as an industry – take action and build confidence among those manufacturers still to adopt the Cloud, we will not reach the tipping point in Industry 4.0.”
Cloud integral to Industry 4.0 reaching tipping point
1 min read
Business appetite for Industry 4.0 is growing, but we are yet to reach the tipping point where manufacturers have transformed into digital enterprises, according to the chief technology officer at British software and services company Advanced, who also believes the Cloud is integral to helping drive Industry 4.0 forward.
