Process automation is not necessarily new, but it is gaining more and more resources as a result of technological updates. If machines were previously automated by mechanical arms, today it is possible to automate countless activities using technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Robotic Process Automation or RPA.
But this universe, which seems completely new to most people, is already transforming and entering a new era: automation 4.0. Continue reading and find out how to implement it in your company!
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What is automation 4.0?
Automation 4.0 is a set of technologies that aims to optimize the manufacturing, distribution and sale of products and services. To do so, it uses resources such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, internet of things, among others.
This increase in technological resources means that automation 4.0 enhances the productive capacity of companies and boosts results.
However, in order to develop all this potential, the implementation of automation 4.0 must be thought out and planned according to your company’s needs.
What technologies are driving automation 4.0?
The search for efficiency and effectiveness in production makes companies from the most varied sectors look for technological innovations that provide greater speed in processes and less waste of resources.
In this sense, automation 4.0 brings countless possibilities. Check out:
Artificial intelligence
It is practically impossible to talk about automation 4.0 without implementing technologies based on artificial intelligence. And here, practically the entire company wins.
From business management software to personalized customer service, it can be used across virtually any company. Financial, accounting, marketing, sales and logistics processes can be optimized using AI.
Internet of Things (IoT)
Just like artificial intelligence, the Internet of things is also already present in most organizations. It has been widely used in logistics to improve the flow of goods in warehouses, monitor cargo distribution and even automate inventory control.
Autonomous vehicles can also be controlled with this technology, facilitating the separation of goods in stock, for example. Additionally, IoT can provide real-time data on product movement within or outside the factory.
Cloud computing
Cloud computing is present in most offices, improving data accessibility, collaboration between sectors and the conduct of processes.
It is also cloud computing that provides the basis for other technologies to operate, such as AI and IoT. Furthermore, cloud computing is largely responsible for the possibility of integration between process software, such as ERP, CRM and marketing automation.
Autonomous robots
Autonomous robots have also taken over many factories and today perform a series of tasks that were previously the responsibility of humans.
They can replenish stocks, collect products, distribute them and even digitize documents, freeing up your team for more strategic activities.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
As its name suggests, robotic process automation makes use of robots to automate workflows in your organization.
They can, for example, migrate data from one system to another or perform small functions, such as product categorization, filling in registration fields or carrying out data updates on a scheduled basis.
In this way, RPA helps to reduce your team’s manual effort, reduces failures and even speeds up processes. These are just a few examples of technologies that are driving automation 4.0. Obviously, there are many others that can contribute to your niche market.
But the initial question remains: how to start implementing automation 4.0 in your company?
6 steps to implement automation 4.0
Before thinking about implementing automation 4.0, it is essential to understand what stage of maturity your company is at and what its future steps are towards achieving its strategic objectives.
This way, you will be able to align your automation 4.0 strategy with business objectives and ensure a greater return on the investment made.
1. Take inventory of current technology infrastructure
The first step to implementing automation 4.0 in your company is to carry out an internal diagnosis. This involves a survey of all technologies used, such as software, hardware, data collection and analysis systems, and cybersecurity systems, among others.
2. Identify opportunities and threats
After knowing all the technologies involved in running your business, it’s time to evaluate whether it makes sense to continue with the same solutions.
Talk to your team to understand whether the available resources meet what is needed, identify problematic points, carry out an assessment with your customers and consolidate this information for a detailed analysis.
3. Set your goals with automation 4.0
Now, it’s time to think about what you want to transform the company and why. So, set strategic, intelligent objectives connected to performance indicators that you can easily monitor.
4. Create your action plan
Based on all the data collected previously, you can start to draw up your action plan. That is, a roadmap of how you will implement automation 4.0 in the company.
A good practice is to identify technologies that need to be replaced immediately and those that can wait to be implemented.
Then, carry out a feasibility analysis of each initiative to understand the costs involved. Here, it is worth considering each implementation as a sub-project, so that you can measure not only the financial costs but also implementation time, people involved and more assertive indicators.
5. Create a digital transformation timeline
With everything planned, the next step is to create your digital transformation schedule. That is, foresee each stage of automation 4.0 implementation with their respective deadlines and tasks.
Remember to communicate with everyone involved about the action plan and schedule, so that everyone can act synergistically.
6. Monitor indicators and make adaptations
Finally, as you carry out your planning, remember to monitor performance indicators. They will be able to guide you whenever you need it, in addition to indicating whether you are on the right path or whether you need to make adaptations to your action plan.