Innovation is at the centre of Australia’s Defence Industry renaissance. And for our advanced manufacturers innovation is today synonymous with ‘Industry 4.0’ (or i4.0). It's an enticing term, but what does it really mean? More importantly, where does the hype for i4.0 end and the realities (and limitations) of this new revolution begin?
Industry 4.0 refers to the fourth industrial revolution – an incoming era of cyber-physical systems powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous machines, and big data. It is the next evolutionary step up from our current digital revolution into a new age of connected technologies and data-driven insights.
Certainly, i4.0 promises big things for manufacturers across all industries. That includes Australia’s defence sector where advanced manufacturers in the commercial and military space are being propelled forward by the 2016 Defence Industry Policy to produce autonomous systems, robotics and augmented reality solutions for land, sea, air, and space environments.
As a result, business is beginning to see the promised cost-saving benefits and performance improvements that come with removing the man from the production machine. As more manufacturers invest in smart, connected, and self-maintaining equipment, we can expect the cost of ownership to shrink and the barriers to market entry begin to erode.
These technologies go hand-in-hand with advancements in data analytics, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. With these pillars of i4.0, manufacturers will have the means to more accurately predict and respond to Australian Defence Force (ADF) supply needs, achieve smarter resource management, and use chips and sensors to better track and manage inventory and other assets. Ultimately, investments in the digital supply chain elements of i4.0 will improve speed to market, lower production costs, and facilitate more collaborative innovation. And considering that a significant share of aerospace and defence products are supplier developed, it is investments like these that will prove to be critical enablers for industry and military leaders alike.
It’s also fair to say i4.0 will change the way manufacturers approach their business. Already, innovations in tech and data analytics are giving way to creative platform businesses such as Amazon and Uber – eventually the Australian Defence Sector will be disrupted too.
We are seeing increased investment, as IoT, data, and customer-facing systems become more common in the i4.0 space, expect more. No doubt, fostering greater connectivity between the production of kit for the ADF and their end users, and measuring the data from those connections, will open the doors for more service-driven business models locally.
Imagine connecting ADF Capability Managers direct with their product and service providers? Imagine disrupting monolithic, multi-year procurements from the Department of Defence's Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) and Chief Information Officer Group (CIOG) with simple, agile platform-based systems?
Having seen it occur in our civilian lives, perhaps a military/defence version is not so unthinkable.
The future is indeed bright. So the question is, how do we actually get there?
Rough estimates say the i4.0 market could exceed US$ trillions in just a few years’ time. However, this will require manufacturers to make bold investments in the equipment, integrated systems, training, and organisational capabilities needed to truly embrace the i4.0 revolution, and be ahead of their peers.
Here are seven steps to consider:
These steps can better prepare your business for the inevitable changes we see coming. While there's always the option of letting i4.0 pass you by, in the defence industry, which is dependent on cutting-edge technology and efficient supply chains, this means running the risk of losing ground to the competition and missing the mark on customer expectations.
Ready or not, i4.0 is here. Will you lead the revolution, or get lost in the movement?
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