Understanding the Key Industry 4.0 Technologies

You may have heard the term Industry 4.0, but do you know what it means? For the manufacturing industry, Industry 4.0 is all about making operations smarter and more automated using the latest technologies. This coming new industrial revolution promises to transform everything we do, from the living room to the assembly line. 

This article explores the definition of Industry 4.0 before breaking down the key industry 4.0 technologies.

Key Takeaways

• What is the definition of Industry 4.0?

• What happened to industries 1.0 through 3.0?

• What are the key Industry 4.0 technologies?

• How does Industry 4.0 affect Visual CPQ?

• The bottom line

What is the Industry 4.0 Definition?

Experts define Industry 4.0 as the continuing automation of the manufacturing industry using smart technologies. It builds on artificial intelligence, Big Data, the Internet of Things, and other technologies to more fully automate production and other operations. 

The result will be a new generation of smart factories that use embedded sensors and machine learning to collect and analyze data and enable automated real-time decision-making. The goal is to replace formerly manual activities with robots and automated processes, removing human beings from tedious, repetitive, and often dangerous tasks.

What Happened to Industries 1.0 through 3.0?

Industry 4.0 is a high-tech way of referring to what others call the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Over the past three centuries, there have been three major revolutions in the industrialized world; Industry 4.0 is the fourth such revolution. 

To know what happened to Industries 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0, let us look at the history of industrial revolution. 

Industry 1.0

The First Industrial Revolution took place in the late 18th century, starting in Britain. It lasted about 75 years and replaced manufacturing processes with mass production powered by water and steam power. Goods previously built by hand were now assembled by machines. This era saw the birth of factories, chemical manufacturing, and the textiles industry. 

Industry 2.0 

The Second Industrial Revolution, also known as the Technological Revolution, took place during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The adoption of electric power and the invention of the internal combustion engine drove this revolution. The Industry 2.0 era saw the introduction of factory assembly lines, the development of cross-country communications via telephone and radio, and rapid industrialization. 

Industry 3.0

The last half of the 20th century saw the Third Industrial Revolution, also known as the Digital Revolution. Industry 3.0 was all about the shift from mechanical processes and analog technology to digital technology. This era saw the rise of computers, digital communications, the Internet, and social media. 

Industry 4.0

Today we are on the cusp of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which might be the most important revolution to date. Industry 4.0 moves beyond the previous Digital Revolution to focus on smart technology driven by big data and artificial intelligence. It's all about increasing the use of automation into more everyday activities, mass customization, and improved efficiency. 

What Are the Key Industry 4.0 Technologies?

Several emerging technologies are essential to Industry 4.0. In a way, this new revolution utilizes both new and existing technologies to create a digital transformation industry 4.0.

1.  Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)

Additive manufacturing, or what some call 3D printing, is used to create three-dimensional objects by "printing" them out of plastic and similar materials. Virtually anything you imagine can be 3D printed in a relatively short period of time, which makes it useful for creating prototypes and small production run orders. 

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are complementary technologies that enable systems to "learn" by collecting data and applying algorithms and thus make autonomous decisions. With AI and ML, manufacturing systems can work with minimal human intervention to enable a faster, more efficient, and more accurate manufacturing process. 

3. Big Data and Analytics

One of the keys of Industry 4.0 is the extensive collection and use of data. Mining this data and applying advanced analytics provide the fuel that drives other Industry 4.0 technologies, including AI and ML. 

4. Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is essential to the continued development of Industry 4.0. Data and applications need to be housed in the cloud so that systems and users anywhere in the world can have easy access on demand. 

5. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) is all about smart devices that operate autonomously via the use of embedded sensors and intelligent systems. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) employs similar smart technologies in the manufacturing environment, enabling autonomous production operations.

6. Robots and Cobots

Robotics applies AI, machine vision, natural language processing, and other technologies to mechanized devices to automate physical activities. So-called cobots are robots that are capable of collaborating with human operators to perform even more complex tasks. 

7. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality (VR and AR)

Virtual reality (VR) creates virtual worlds that simulate real environments or create wholly new ones. Augmented reality (AR) places virtual objects in the physical world. Both technologies are useful in product design, training, and sales. 

How Does Digital Transformation Industry 4.0 Affect Visual CPQ?

Industry 4.0 promises to create smarter factories and more automated processes that could significantly impact the way your company does business. As the revolution continues, it should result in faster growth, lower costs, a more streamlined workforce, and the ability for smaller firms to compete with larger behemoths such as Amazon and Walmart.

Industry 4.0 technologies have a big impact on the CPQ process. The use of AR/VR-driven visual configurators, AI-driven chatbots, and the power of big data analytics enhances the whole process of Configure, Price, and Quote. Additive manufacturing even comes into play for the 3D printing of ultra-custom products, as does the use of IIoT and robotic technology in factory machinery. 

AI and ML technologies and big data are also useful in predicting customer needs. This provides CPQ and guided selling systems with the most popular product options and features, as well as helps develop product packages that have the most appeal to customers. These technologies are also useful in developing dynamic pricing policies.

Finally, lifelike AR and VR product simulations will likely replace today's CAD-driven product renderings. This will help customers gain a more immersive view of the products they design and customize and should result in higher and more confident sales. 

The Bottom Line

As you can see, Industry 4.0 is both clearly defined and important. The impact on CPQ platforms, such as that offered by

KBMax

, is just one important way that Industry 4.0 will change your business – and make your company more competitive and profitable in the future.

Leverage Your E-Commerce Configurator with These Handy Practices

E-commerce configurator as a tool has been around for quite a long time. Despite major industries making use of configurators, there has never been a proper line of action as to how can these configurators be used for making the maximum impact. 

At KBMax, with our professionalism over the years, using technology has made us industry leaders. This is why we have figured out a few practices that can help you leverage the right e-commerce configurator perfectly.

But first, a little overview about product configurators. 

What is a Product Configurator?

In simple terms, the answer to this question- what is a product configurator is a single line- 

It’s a tool used by manufacturers of complex products to assist customers in selecting the right product as per their requirements, and also make changes to get the final product. 

This is where we delve into the right configurator practices right away now- 

1- Educate Users in an Easy Manner

In terms of experience, customers can find configurators a tough nut to crack over how digital experiences have been doing rounds today. If the product catalogs are complex, then configurators become more tough to understand. 

The trick is to get users acquainted with your e-commerce configurator in its own sweet time. Give them something simple to start with their configuration- like making changes to sizes and colors, so that they get a gist of what is to follow ahead. Too much initial complexity can put customers off quickly before you can even imagine. 

2- More Focus on Mobile First Philosophy

With the ease of smartphone access all over the world, many UX designers prefer designing for systems first as they get a large amount of screen estate to work with. The mobile prototype arrives much later, but by then it’s too late. Stuffing loads of features in a small mobile screen then becomes too difficult. 

If you go ahead with the mobile version first, it’s easier to identify the core elements and functionality which can later be easily transferred to a desktop version. In short, instead of going big to small, it’s best to keep the design compact and then expand accordingly. 

3- Give Independence to Users for Skipping Some Steps

Rigidity is no more a USP for app-based products, and a product configurator tool is no different. It’s crucial to allow users with independence to choose and skip some steps in their ordering process. This leads to a more personalized experience for customers. 

4- Keep Clarity for Every Next Step

Irrespective of whether configuration process is ongoing or completed, the next step needs to be clearly defined. This step can be anything- from adding a product to the cart, to contacting customer support, the next step needs to be crystal clear. 

5- Editing Feature on the Final Page

Try to include the edit feature on the final checkout page, even after a configuration has been seemingly completed by a user. It’s not a pleasurable experience if a customer needs to go back to make a tiny change in the product of their choice. 

6- Keep Things Minimal on the Platform- Not too Minimal Though

A configurator solution should focus more on the product and not just on the interface. Due to this, it’s important to keep your app ecosystem minimalistic, so that the important elements do not get stacked up on each other. 

Conclusion

Visual configuration and pricing

is not as easy as the solution you have makes you feel. But if it does, then you have a great visual configuration and pricing solution at your disposal. Keeping a tab on these practices will help your customers in truly making ‘use’ of your configuration solution. If you are still searching for a configurator solution, then choosing KBMax can be a worthwhile investment, where all such practices have already been taken care of.

Don't Make a Mistake- Choose the Right Salesforce CPQ Tool

CPQ in Salesforce is a concept that’s been around for quite some time now. There are a lot of advantages available when a simple CPQ tool is integrated with Salesforce. Given the popularity of how it has been making things work for manufacturers all over the globe, Salesforce CPQ is, to put it politely, a revolution in the making.

However, despite everything, you might be tempted to make a decision that gives you a little short-term benefit but can prove to be costly in the future. Choosing the right tool for Salesforce CPQ is crucial for staying in the competition.

But before we go into the finer details, let’s understand a little about what is Salesforce CPQ in the first place.

What is Salesforce CPQ?

Like we have done so many times, we break down this term into two separate words- CPQ and Salesforce. While CPQ is the abbreviation of configure, price, and quote, Salesforce is the leading customer relationship management platform in its own right.

Salesforce CPQ is a cutting-edge tool that thrusts the sales process and leads to completion very quickly. Sales teams already have their schedules packed, but sadly, most of this time is not dedicated to selling but filling out those Excel sheets.

With CPQ, the time given to these Excel spreadsheets is dramatically reduced and gets to an automatic sales tool that can generate error-free quotes. As a consequence, sales reps get empowered to sell the right product combinations, automate approval processes, and take care of the discounting process too.

Standard and Custom Salesforce Quotes

This is a question that continues to confuse sales reps is the choice of quoting tools with Salesforce. Standard Salesforce solution and custom CPQ solution are the two options we are talking about.

Standard Salesforce Quote Solution

To explain simply, a quote is any formal document that displays the formal prices of a product or service offered to customers. When a product is added, Salesforce links a quote automatically with the product and then gets it mailed to the customer.

For a single sales opportunity, multiple quotes can be generated, but just a single one will be synced with the concerned opportunity as the quote to look after- a primary quote. The additional details with only this quote get added to the available opportunity.

How is Custom Salesforce Quotation a Better Option?

While the above-mentioned standard Salesforce quote is great for small business enterprises, looking for investment propositions that have more value. Add the easy setup costs to this whole scenario and the feasibility of it all increases.

On moving to more complex products, however, the pricing strategy to be formulated does not fit the bill with a standard Salesforce solution. This is where there’s a need to bring in a custom Salesforce tool that can handle the quote generation of highly complex products.

With a custom tool, large product catalogs, complicated pricing lists, approvals, and even a combination of all of them are very simple to manage and take care of. With Salesforce CPQ, you can connect the back-end with your workable front-end, enhance your quote accuracy and efficiency while keeping your discounting updated as well.

This is why a custom tool is much more potent.

What we Observe

CPQ promises that it takes off from where Salesforce CRM ends with its functionality. All the pricing rules and multiple other related aspects become automated, centralized, and highly optimized to save overall costs and bolster the efficiency of your existing sales process.

The right CPQ tools for Salesforce play a pivotal role in boosting the capabilities of your sales reps and associated partners, making them more effective in going forward with their work, which includes sending the right quote and getting the contract approved.

Thoughts at the Close

To put it in front of you in a very short format, Salesforce CPQ enhances the abilities of a CPQ tool at its core. Take a moment to process this- a great CRM platform, integrated with a super-slick CPQ platform like KBMax, and you will understand that it is all a winner combination should have for a manufacturer.