INTELLIGENT FACTORIES REPORT
INTRODUCTION
Intelligent Factories
Intelligent Factories are meeting the demands of today and defining the future of manufacturing through SAP ’ s Industry 4.0 initiative
The manufacturing sector has pioneered global shifts in commerce and trade since the first industrial revolution brought affordable consumer products to the masses . Automation , a commonplace feature in factories and production plants for generations , increased efficiency , delivered better value to stakeholders and customers alike , and placed safety at the forefront of the workplace . Today , assailed on all sides by the global disruption of a prevailing pandemic , regionalised geopolitical complexity including Brexit or trade wars , and customer demands that can shift with the wind , manufacturers stand on the digital transformation of Industry 4.0 , the next seismic shift .
Positioned at the centre of this industry shift is the Intelligent Factory , a self-optimising , data-driven strategy that will define the future of manufacturing and production . Agile enough to overcome unforeseen disruption and prescriptive enough to drive and shape the direction of consumer habits and expectations , Intelligent Factories promise to revolutionise the quality , customisation and speed of delivery in everything from specialist medical equipment to consumer running shoes .
The result is an industry that realises change is a necessity rather than a means to a competitive edge . “ All of our customers have initiatives that are looking at how they ' re going to change for the future ,” says Mike Lackey , Global Head of Solution Management for Digital Manufacturing at SAP .
Lackey is at the forefront of SAP ’ s Intelligent Factory initiative , driving agility , efficiency and resilience , to deliver on the customer demands of today .
Here he explores the benefits this model brings to efficiency , resilience , and agility , and outlines how SAP is guiding businesses through their digital transformation journey to future growth and innovation .
Geopolitical upheaval can fluctuate demand between
400 % capacity down to
50 % capacity