| | December 20139CIOReviewThe combination of this information enables both increased efficiency and effectiveness.We can see this synergy when looking at something as basic as a vending machine. Previously, a maintenance worker would have a number of machines under his management. This entailed driving to each machine, checking inventory, performing quality controls, and checking for any needed repairs. Oftentimes, this visit could only take place weekly, depending on the volume of machines under the worker's care. Should a machine break down the day after his visit, or run out of a popular item, it would result in a loss of sales, not to mention some unsatisfied customers.Now, equipped with the technology outlined above, these problems all but vanish. Thanks to sensors embedded in the machine, a problem like low or sold-out inventory is reflected in a software system at the warehouse and available to the maintenance worker on his device. Inventory availability is validated, the worker's truck is loaded with the item, and once delivered, the machine registers its "normal" status once again. The New TechnologyBut remote service management applications are just the tip of the iceberg of applications that can be built to change the value proposition of Industry 4.0. Taking it a step further to the supply chain, manufacturers can track machines that are in transit, sending signals from the road indicating problems that can lead to breakdown. The truck can then be rerouted to get the machine fixed before a breakdown occurs. This scenario is incredibly valuable when you imagine it applied to a refrigerator keeping cool milk or medicine. In the case of a windmill farm, it is understanding the maintenance and performance of all of the windmills, and knowing as the electricity is being generated how productivity can be optimized across a network of windmills. And that brings us to technology as an incredible enabler in generating insights, exchanging information, and making processes simpler. First, information exchange across a value chain has become far easier than we could have ever imagined with Cloud technology. This exchange can publish information once to many business partners or automated data about a machine's performance. Second, insights can now be generated by leveraging in-memory technology, aggregating huge volumes of valuable data to gain business insights, in addition to massive data analysis combining information from the operational and enterprise worlds. Let's take machine performance as an example. We can now easily supplement information about a machine's maintenance from an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system with operational data about its temperature, energy consumption, pressure, etc as well as third-party data, like weather. This combined data can then be mined with predictive analytics to prevent breakdowns. This moves companies from preventative maintenance, to predictive maintenance. Third, we also now have 3D technology that can be delivered on a mobile device, so repairs on the machine can be performed on time with step by step visual instructions.The combined power in this scenario is that repairs are done when needed, not when scheduled. The likelihood of first truck roll (or boat roll, for offshore windmills!) success increases. The need for apprenticeship of new employees declines. The cost of maintaining equipment decreases, and the confidence in offering outcome-based services grows.So how do we operate in this new industrial revolution? What does it take to succeed? It is an evolution that will make successful those who adopt now. What we see is that the technology is out there that will enable companies to meet this emerging demand ­ manufacturers just need to connect with it. They need to deploy a technology foundation that enables them flexibly grow their business in the face of quickly changing demands. These examples show that we are indeed living in a brave new world, and the companies that will succeed are those that are taking steps now to implement a flexible and agile new platform that enables the implementation of this technology. It's the choice of a new generation ­ and it's here to stay.Information exchange across a value chain has become far easier than we could have ever imagined with Cloud technology
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