Digitalisation for productivity and growth
Europe is at the beginning of a new industrial revolution. The ubiquitous use of sensors, the expansion of wireless communication and networks, the deployment of increasingly intelligent robots and machines – as well as huge computing power at lower cost and the development of big data analytics, the Internet of Things and Blockchain Technology – are changing the way goods are manufacture. This new, digital industrial revolution - considered to be the fourth great leap forward in production technology and hence labelled Industry 4.0 - holds the promise of increased flexibility in manufacturing, mass customisation, increased speed, better quality and improved productivity. But at the same time we are faced with many challenges, among them, large investments are needed if enterprises are to make the move to Industry 4.0, changing business models, data issues, legal questions of liability and intellectual property, standards, and skills mismatches. Some critics even say that manufacturing systems introduced by this new industrial revolution are too expensive, too unreliable and oversized, and that the Industry 4.0 approach is being driven largely by equipment producers rather than customer demand. If we want to gain benefits from new manufacturing and industrial technologies these obstacles have to be overcome.
The conference will address the issues impacting the transition to new manufacturing systems and new business models and explore the challenges stemming from digitalisation as well as business opportunities in a Industry 4.0 economy. It will also include presentations and panel discussions featuring renowned researchers and leading Polish businesses presenting relevant projects and views on why and how the Industry 4.0 revolution is introduced in their factories. The conference will bring together industry leaders, policy makers, technology providers, business consultants, researchers and inventors, who will share their perspectives and views on new, smart manufacturing, Industry 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution and its implications for European and Polish industrial policies.
Key topic areas for discussion will include:
- What form the new manufacturing model will take in Europe and how it can contribute to economic development
- What policies are needed to develop and anchor new, smart manufacturing activities driven by a wave of technological changes in relatively high-cost economies in the EU.
- New business models – servitisation and mass customisation
- Industry 4.0 - standards and implications of standardization