In early 2019, the UK’s first smart factory was created, using the newly launched 5G communications network to facilitate quick data transfer speeds.

Industry 4.0. The Industrial Internet of Things. Digitalisation. Smart manufacturing. The fourth industrial revolution (4IR). There are dozens of different names for the uptake in connected technologies and the convergence of IT and OT systems taking place in industry at the moment. One thing most people do agree on, however, is that it’s tech-driven. But should this really be the case?

It’s no secret that data collection is important for generating valuable insight that helps plant managers improve efficiency in industrial systems. However, what seems unknown to many in the industry is the importance of understanding the context of the data being analysed.

Plans to integrate digitalisation across the globe have led many governments to set-out initiatives to accelerate the rate of adoption over the next 10 to 20 years. Here, George Walker, managing director of industrial IT and automation provider Novotek explains why businesses should be looking to digitalise their systems sooner rather than later.

As more companies move to a predictive model of equipment maintenance, they are looking for ways to use connected devices to improve field service.