Understanding Smart Machines: How they will shape the future

Two trends that are creating a lot of buzz today are about to unleash a profound change throughout global industry: Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) with a focus on connected devices and analytics. There are some obvious similarities and differences between IIoT and smart manufacturing (Industry 4.0), as well as areas of convergence. Smart manufacturing or Industry 4.0 initiatives are focused on manufacturing flexibility, increasing automation levels, and digitization. This is not so much the next industrial revolution but an evolution. In the long run this will reshape complete factories and the way they operate.