A key error in any Industry 4.0 transformation is approaching it from a purely technological angle. But, despite our insistence on the importance of people and business strategy, technology does play a major role at some point – and the sooner you get the three aligned, the better. For a recent project at Umicore PMR, we teamed up with ABB Robotics to translate spotted opportunities on the work floor into concrete technological solutions – right from the start.

Numerous businesses have embraced advanced robotics, AI, IoT, digital twins and other enabling technologies, but many are somewhat underwhelmed by the results. Why is the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on productivity and value so slow to materialize? And what can forward-thinking manufacturers do to truly reap the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution? Alexander Naessens, Industry 4.0 researcher at delaware, takes a closer look at the so-called “Industry 4.0 impasse” and proposes a way forward for manufacturers.

While strolling through Vlerick and Hudson’s HR Barometer 2022, two conclusions caught our attention. On the bright side, priorities for 2023 include engagement and wellbeing, next to recruitment & selection. A positive trend, as an increased focus on engagement and wellbeing is one of the keys to realize a shift towards sustainable productivity. Over the past years, people have grown tired of hustle culture and fast-paced work environments. By investing more in engagement and wellbeing programs, organizations will be better equipped to have their employees work at their best without taking everything out of them. Win-win.

In recent years, many companies have turned to automation to guarantee business continuity and optimize employee productivity. Today, other macro-economic challenges force them to double down on their automation efforts. Does that mean you should hire a Chief Automation Officer (CAO) immediately? No, but it’ll probably happen sooner or later.