SMC Pneumatics, Beckhoff Automation, Nord Drivesystems, Balluff, and ZI-Argus have launched an open-source knowledge group to educate customers on Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
The Open IIoT group aims to simplify the complex topics of Industry 4.0 and IIoT for clients. “The amount of communication on this topic can become overwhelming, and yet there is still a lack of knowledge on some crucial topics such as real business value, security, data ownership and the IT integration,” the group said.
“It is a topic discussed in our manufacturing world on the factory floor with very little input from the IT departments who will play a crucial role in the implementation.”
Open IIoT plans to work with the government and industry, including relevant associations like APPMA, to help Australian manufacturers catch up to their counterparts from around the world, offering a “how to implement” guide with a focus on the practice, rather than the theory.
“In Australian manufacturing, Industry 4.0 is a relatively new topic, but one which our economy needs to get on top of as a matter of urgency. We cannot afford to be left behind as the rest of the world gets up to speed on what is seen as a steep learning curve,” the group said.
The Open IIoT group will be exhibiting at AUSPACK 2019.
