“Many companies have realized that not innovating means being left behind for many years, if not sometimes a risk to their very survival in the market. In the industrial sector, the potential of digitization is so high that not investing to digitize is a much greater risk than investing. Today, this enormous potential is represented by the simultaneous integration of artificial intelligence, cloud, 5G and edge computing. We call them superpowers, because when they are integrated together they strengthen each other and can take a smart factory to a higher level ”.
In the vision of industry 4.0 outlined in Repubblica by Nicola Procaccio, Intel country lead Italy, several elements characterizing the post-normality of industrial ecosystems are condensed. From the indispensability of digital transformation to the integration of technologies, it is no longer a question of understanding whether or not to take the path of digitalization or when to do it, but how to do it. The technological scenario, Procaccio observes, now offers increasingly accessible and democratic “superpowers”. And it is precisely the combination of these special powers that opens up unique opportunities for a manufacturing power like Italy. Not only for large industrial companies but also for SMEs.
From exports to orders, the Italian industrial system is showing strong signs of a restart after a complicated period. What role can and above all must digitization play in this phase of company relaunch?
“Digitization must be the basis of the strategy for the restart of every company and organization. Digital is already everywhere and many companies have understood that not innovating means being left behind for many years, if not sometimes a risk for their very survival in the market. . In the industrial field, the potential of digitization is so high that not investing to digitize is a much greater risk than investing “.
From the integrated management of operational processes to the digitalization of products: what are the business areas in which the industry 4.0 paradigm has yet to show its full potential?
“We are witnessing an acceleration of the adoption of industry 4.0 technologies in all business areas, from logistics to production and then to distribution and sales. The central aspect of digitalization and the industrial Internet of Things is data. Data is a resource from which to draw useful information to optimize business, business processes, improve services offered, improve employee and customer experience, and make strategic decisions. Yet, the amount of unanalysed data is impressive. estimates that only about 1% of the data available in the world is actually used. Let’s imagine what could be done if much of this available data could be used and translated into knowledge and information. “
What are the concrete benefits of this data marriage?
“Many of our customers are interested in understanding how 5G and artificial intelligence can raise the level of their digital transformation. Through these technologies it is possible to reduce maintenance and energy costs, and to improve workforce productivity. In the near future, a huge potential lies in the simultaneous integration of artificial intelligence, cloud, 5G and edge computing. We call them superpowers, because when integrated together they strengthen each other and can bring a smart factory to a upper level”.
What is the potential contribution of 5G to full capacity for a manufacturing power like Italy?
“5G will mark the transition to seamless connectivity within the factory and enormous computing capacity, enabling smart factories to have the reliability and latency values required by industrial automation. The contribution of 5G can be huge and bear fruit throughout the product life cycle: procurement and production within a smart factory, distribution and finally sale. In logistics, it enables asset tracking in real time, collection of data and being able to make informed decisions on supply chain management. In production it allows the flexibility to apply changes to the operational organization of the plant and process flows without excessive impact, enjoying cable-free machinery. In addition, it allows the reduction of maintenance costs up to 30%, switching to efficient predictive maintenance “.
How do the Made in Italy supply chains fit into this context of exponential interconnection?
“All this also creates benefits for Made in Italy factories. Traditional production methods can be improved and made more efficient, maintenance costs reduced, machinery integrated with cutting-edge technologies and connected to a network. With quality and safety first “.
SMEs still suffer a certain delay, dictated by the absence of a strategic approach to industry 4.0. How can the perimeter of involvement of the industrial revolution be enlarged?
“Small and medium-sized enterprises have a great opportunity to seize and there are already virtuous examples that can act as a driving force. Knowing the potential and having a technological partner are essential to be able to adopt the best solutions for their business. Each company is unique. and has a deep understanding of its sector, and a technology partner can understand its needs and help acquire, process and analyze data by implementing cutting-edge technologies “.
What is the specific and concrete contribution that a technology group like Intel can offer to the Italian industrial system?
“Intel offers all the key ingredients for secure and expandable industry 4.0 solutions on a large scale, capable of engaging intelligence into operational assets and extracting valuable insights from data. Open, standards-based technologies that provide the ability to reduce the cost of maintenance, opening new business opportunities and improving productivity. Intel collaborates with a vibrant ecosystem of technology partners from around the world, including Italians, to develop safe, interoperable and integrated solutions for Industry 4.0 “.
What is it that unites the theme of industry 4.0 with environmental, economic and social sustainability?
“A smart factory that has all the data on its plant is able to make the best decisions to reduce waste and its ecological footprint, minimize unforeseen events, optimize costs, enhance workers and bring greater safety to the environment of work”.
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