In an era characterized by digital revolution, industries everywhere are going through a significant change in how they function.
Every facet of organization is already being impacted by this shift, including people, culture, procedures, and business models.
Furthermore, industrial software—a catalyst for future enterprises that are robust, efficient, and sustainable—lies at the core of this change, according to Carlos Urbano, vice president of industrial automation for Schneider Electric Pacific zone.
Seizing the digital opportunity Today industries must contend with a confluence of issues, including the energy crisis, labor transformation, and supply chain disruptions. According to Urbano, embracing digital transformation is no
longer optional—it is imperative. As contemporary businessmen, we must take audacious action now. Carlos Urbano is the Pacific Zone vice president of industry for Schneider Electric. Why? Because maintaining antiquated company methods while merely optimizing the efficiency of current machinery and procedures will not lead to success.
According to Urbano, digital transformation encompasses more than just enhancing our current workflow with digital tools. It entails a profound shift in how companies run, affecting every aspect of an organization. Companies that implement a comprehensive digital transformation are better positioned to thrive in emerging industries. Digital transformation leaders have achieved remarkable outcomes. According to LNS research, these executives had a 72% higher chance of seeing revenue increase of more than 10% and a 57% higher chance of seeing a COGS (cost of goods sold) reduction of more than 10%.
Information is the new currency
Industry 4.0, according to Schneider Electric, is the point of convergence where automation, data analytics, digital technology, and the real world of industrial operations come together to spur innovation and change in the manufacturing sector and beyond. It stands for the fourth industrial revolution, which is defined by the use of digital technologies into many industrial processes, ranging from manufacturing and supply chain management to customer service and product delivery. Data has become the international business community currency in the era of Industry 4.0, according to Urbano.
Industries are producing enormous volumes of data thanks to the industrial internet of things (IIoT), but this unprocessed data only has value when it is contextualized and supplemented with human insights. Nowadays, information—which is derived from data—drives innovation and business decision-making. Data is not inherently helpful in its raw state. Data only becomes useful information when it is presented in both structural and historical contexts, according to Urbano. And it can ignite genuine insight to enhance how industries function when processed into actionable insights and put in the hands of decision makers. According to him, the digital transformation of sectors like manufacturing, utilities, and logistics is already well underway, propelled by software
applications that harness artificial intelligence (AI). Software makes the invisible visible, enabling companies to quickly adjust.
Data as a key enabler for sustainability
One of the most important tools for decarbonization is data as well. A sustainability perspective is relevant as, according to Schneider
Sustainability Index respondents, 78% of them, digital technology is essential to reaching sustainability objectives. However, a lot of businesses continue to collect energy data using antiquated techniques, which limits management and innovation, according to Urbano. According to Urbano, "digitization automates data collection through software, offering insights into process performance, cost drivers, and risk factors.
As data-driven digitisation gains traction, sustainability and decarbonisation initiatives become more efficient and less expensive. A
sustainable world is digital by nature, with software improving sustainability, lowering operational costs, and enhancing safety.
Choosing the right software partner
Particularly in the industrial sector where deep domain expertise is essential, not all software is made equal. Businesses should search for dependable domain expertise, scalable solutions, smooth data flow, federated data, integrated user experience, AI capabilities, digital twins, extended reality, smart analytics, and a cooperative ecosystem when choosing a software partner, according to
Urbano. Companies can increase operational efficiency by making faster, more informed decisions with the right software partner.
Leading the way in assisting companies to embark on this revolutionary path is Schneider Electric, working with top industrial software solutions vendor AVEVA.
Together, Schneider Electric software portfolio and AVEVA expertise are combined in EcoStruxure, an IoT-enabled open architecture platform that provides a comprehensive solution for software-centric automation. AVEVA vice president for the Pacific, Alexey Lebedev, claims that digital solutions are the spark that ignites transformation and sustainability goals. According to Lebedev, the needs of the industrial world are becoming ever more complex. Digital solutions will be the catalyst for accelerating transformation and sustainability ambitions as businesses continue to respond.
Evolving in a new era
According to Schneider Urbano, companies shouldnt limit their attention to improving the efficiency of their current procedures. Rather, businesses ought to think about a comprehensive digital transformation that places them at the forefront of the upcoming sectors. The foundation of contemporary industries is data. According to Urbano, new avenues for growth in the manufacturing and industrial sectors have been created by data-led operations. The development of digital twins and artificial intelligence has made data-
driven insights crucial for operational effectiveness. In order to ensure that they are optimally positioned for a sustainable
future by utilizing data and resources across their whole ecosystem, astute organizations will integrate their digitalization plans into the very fabric of their operations.
According to Urbano, one of the most interesting technologies is the digital twin, which not only increases operational effectiveness but also speeds up the transition to net-zero emissions. According to Urbano, users can see the information needed to optimize
plant operation and maintenance—easily and safely—thanks to advanced technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, or mixed realities.
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