EDITORIAL Actively shape the future Our editorial team is confronted daily with the concept of Industry 4.0. Key topics such as digitalisation, networking, “big data”, production batches 1, automation, 3D printing or Internet of Things are part of the fourth industrial revolution. It is very clear today: The future of intralogistics sector is digital and we are right in the middle of it. In the process, digitalisation as fundamental requirement for Industry 4.0 not only creates solution, but it also presents new challenges: the systems that are getting increasingly complex are producing huge amount of information thanks to sensor systems and data quantity. Controlling this huge quantity of data needs immediate analysis and processing by modern software, which converts vast “big data” into efficient “smart data” just-in-time. The entire supply chain profits from the massive data reduction, because only the information relevant for the downstream processes are communicated. The digitalisation is just the first step, because at the end it is the networking of entire supply chain, which makes Industry 4.0 possible as functional concept. From page 12 you can experience how new technologies can change supply chain in future. We have technologies such as 3D printing, which will result in major changes to the inventory keeping and robots that are increasingly integrated into the process. Likewise, usage of drones can revolutionise supply chain on the last mile. Another example for the increasing networking of process is the small parts container, which is in a position to react intelligently thanks to electronics and sensors (from page 40). We can thus see that key technologies behind Industry 4.0 are already known and available today. But the challenge is to use these technologies in a meaningful way and change the corresponding processes within the supply chain. Digitalisation and networking are key technologies of the fourth industrial revolution Holger Seybold (Editor-in-chief) Global Excellence for Intralogistics 27-30 October 2015 We‘ll exhibit. Hall W2, German Pavilion TRANSNORM’S range of conveyor modules and solutions guarantee the logistical competitiveness of global players such as airport equipment suppliers, parcel services, mail order companies and distribution service providers. Use this experience to speed up your logistics processes! www.transnorm.com
