The path to Industry 4.0 for SMEs

Fraunhofer study

Davina Spohn, 28.07.2016, 15:24

The path to Industry 4.0 for SMEs

Intelligently networking production and thus increasing profitability - small and medium-sized enterprises often do not know how to approach this goal. The Fraunhofer IPA study 'Industry 4.0: Fields of development for SMEs' aims to provide a remedy.

With the current study, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) aims to eliminate a shortcoming: A state-of-the-art analysis revealed that most studies on the topic of Industry 4.0 are too abstract. Felix Müller, Project Manager at Fraunhofer IPA, comments: "The works primarily deal with opportunities and risks, data security or business models. However, they do not provide any technical recommendations for action for SMEs". According to Müller, this is where the need for action lies: "40% of those surveyed stated that they had heard of Industry 4.0, but had not yet implemented any measures. This high proportion suggests that they need support."

Fraunhofer used a two-stage survey method: The researchers evaluated over 200 online questionnaires that had previously been distributed to around 5,000 industry experts. "We then discussed our interpretations and possible causes with 30 experienced experts from industry and research," says Müller. According to Müller, this allowed us to identify the most important needs of SMEs in terms of Industry 4.0 and generate development areas that build on each other.

The study 'Industry 4.0: Development fields for SMEs' aims to show SMEs a systematic development path to intelligent, networked production. Computer&AUTOMATION presents some of the results of the study in a series of images.

The study is also available for download in the whitepaper section.

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