“ A vastly scaled back workforce has accelerated the use of manufacturers applying technology to improve the safety , productivity , experience and resilience of the industrial workforce ”
— Maddie Walker , Industry X Practice Lead at Accenture ( UK )
Whilst Industry X capabilities can be broken down into two key areas - digital manufacturing and operations , and intelligent products and platforms – Walker says that “ the best strategies almost always integrate both . This helps to iron out data silos and allows product and delivery processes to inform one another so that the resulting product meets desired objectives to the best effect .”
Walker does however emphasise that “ Industry X is not just a technology
ACCENTURE ’ S TOP THREE INDUSTRY X TRENDS
31
1 . Digital Plant – connecting all the lines and materials in a plant together . For example , using IoT and Edge Computing in industrial environments , as these technologies enable machines and networks to ‘ talk ’. It ’ s this connectivity that provides the data for artificial intelligence , as well as allowing these insights to be relayed back to the network autonomously .
2 . Connected Worker – using augmented realities and wearable capabilities . Combined , these technologies can be used to gain context and understanding of remote locations in real-time . Experts can then relay over the shoulder coaching and problem solving remotely – either for machines or for human workers – ensuring maximum productivity and safety .
3 . Artificial Intelligence & Machine Modelling – how we use and shape the data are a fundamental Industry X trend as they provide the crucial insights that underpin every step of the product development , manufacturing , or supply chain process . Whether it ’ s shaping a strategic vision , modelling product conception , or improving manufacturing operations , AI is what ensures Industry X processes are entirely future-proofed .
manufacturingglobal . com