L'Industry 4.0i.e. the integration of new technologies into companies' production processes, such as cloud computing, IoT e artificial intelligencesis radically transforming the global economy.

In fact, Industry 4.0 does not only deal with a technological improvement at the machine level, but enables improvements in the quality, efficiency, productivity and safety of systems, providing real-time support to the workforce. This makes it possible to new business models that exploit the possibility of creating more flexible and sustainable production chains.

We therefore speak of Globalisation 4.0referring to the digital transformation underway, a much broader phenomenon than mere digitisation (use of digital technologies for innovative business management). Digital transformation is changing not only our economicsbut also our company and our institutionsusing digitisation as an enabling phenomenon.

Industry 4.0 has had a decisive impact on the supply chainthe process that takes a product from supplier to end customer. New technologies have changed the way of relating inside and outside the company. The installation of sensors and the connection of all machinery to an information network makes it possible to collect huge amounts of data that, once analysed, are able to provide accurate forecasts, information on the status of goods and stock on hand.

There is no longer a need for human intermediation for objects to exchange information, but everything is conveyed by the IoT. In order to better manage these information flows and organise distribution logistics functions in Industry 4.0, it is necessary for companies to rely on professionals.

The ITS Industry 4.0 Course is designed to train experts in the field by providing them with the necessary management skills in either manufacturing or trading companies through lectures and internships in companies. The objective is to understand the functions of distribution logistics so as to be able to enhance the supply chain process.

Impact of Industry 4.0 on business and society

The fourth industrial revolution confronts companies with a new fundamental question: the man-machine relationship. One of the lines of development is in fact the touch interfaces and the augmented reality. Human-machine interaction is important to derive maximum benefits and advantages from the machine learningthe machine learning process. Data collection and analysis is linked to the optimisation of production processes.

The impact of Industry 4.0 can also be seen in the new jobs the sector has created and is continuing to create. The demand for new professional figures increases because companies and the way of working change. According to the research "The Future of the Jobs"presented at the World Economic Forum 2023technological and demographic factors will have a profound influence on labour market developments. Economic, health and geopolitical trends have created divergent outcomes for global labour markets in 2023. Some highlights of the report:

  • L'adoption of technology will remain a key factor for business transformation over the next five years;
  • The major effects of job creation and destruction arise from environmental, technological and economic trends;
  • In the context of technology adoption, big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence play a leading role in the likelihood of adoption;
  • The impact of most technologies on jobs is expected to be positive in the next five years;
  • Employers provide a structural change in the labour market equal to 23% of jobs over the next five years;
  • The human-machine frontier has shifted and companies have introduced automation into their operations at a slower pace than previously anticipated.

Industry 4.0 is continuously changing and growing, affecting society, business and the global economy on a large scale.

Author of the article

ITS MOVE - Editor