Industry 4.0 has been presented as the latest industrial revolution. It has a major role in transforming theWorld’s industrial processes within organisations and across the supply chains.
This can be achieved using large-scale Machine to Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) deployments to increase efficiency and productivity in supply chains across sectors. Factories will become increasingly autonomous with closer integration between machines and workforce, providing a seamless process with minimal waste. Industry 4.0 will use the IoT and cyber-physical systems such as sensors to collect data. Such advances enable big data analytics and the creation of intelligent supply chains.
In the recent Build 2018 Conference, Microsoft has set their vision and priority in the role of future technology, their advancements, new tools and Cloud services to help developers create a better, safer, more just World. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the heart of these advances, which brings together societal need, Intelligent Cloud and Intelligent Edge. In the next 10 years, billions of everyday devices will be connected — smart devices that can see, listen, reason, predict and more.
By eliminating inefficiencies across the supply chain, supply chain productivity will be improved. To achieve this, intelligent data management will play a critical role. New digital technologies are enabling new levels of increased connectivity and the more effective use of data. Advances in technology are enabling more data to be collected more quickly and this data can be easily accessed from multiple sites, safely shared between different partners in a supply chain, and more effectively analysed. These technologies allow manufacturers to respond to increasing consumer demands for faster delivery and more personalised products and services. A transition in the way that supply chains operate from the current linear supply chains (with limited use of data and new technologies) to a digitally connected supply chain network supported by these technologies.
Such an environment requires integrated intelligent supply chain and future network and system capable of seamless transactions and management of flow of assets, goods and services (tangible and intangible). SCEnAT 4.0 for Industry 4.0 which embrace Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) solution will transform future supply chain to a digitally connected system and network. SCEnAT 4.0 Design Thinking workshop in the autumn working with industry leaders and key partners considered Blockchain, AI and ML integration into SCEnAT 4.0 Azure Cloud Platform. Microsoft Research and AREC are working in partnership on this. Interoperability with blockchain has also been considered. SCEnAT 4.0 embeds Microsoft AI and ML, advances and augments the digital intelligence analytic capabilities with cutting edge technologies, and scales up the eco-system.
Scenat is a revolutionary system in many ways, not least in the technology that powers it.
The Supply Chain Environmental Analysis Tool has been in use for over 12 months by a small selection of companies working in partnership with the University of Sheffield. Today we are pleased to announce that the tool is now generally available!