Enterprise Architecture 4.0
Take advantage of new opportunities in the industry
Contrary to some preconceived ideas, Industry 4.0 does not mean more automation or robotization, but better integration of information flows between machines, people, products and end users, taking advantage of an upgrade more abundant data than in the past.
Exploiting these data sources, numerous technologies have emerged, and are frequently associated with the notion of Industry 4.0, including augmented reality, additive manufacturing, Big Data, Internet of Tools (IoT), etc. . At the same time, already existing tools such as PLM, ERP, MES or CRM can also benefit from these data sources and many companies wish to renew them in a more integrated and more global approach.
How to take advantage of the new possibilities of Industry 4.0…
while avoiding the main pitfalls of digital transformations?
The first risk is simply losing sight of the meaning of these digital transformations by launching costly projects for new technological solutions without studying the real needs: what will these technologies be used for? What needs does the implemented digital transformation meet? What are the business objectives?
Indeed, Industry 4.0 brings its share of technical possibilities that it can be tempting to push within a company. However, these technological approaches will remain useless (and costly) if they do not meet the company’s business objectives.
Furthermore, carrying out a digital transformation without obtaining employee buy-in on the expected gains can compromise understanding of the general interest, particularly for those who will be impacted by said transformation.
Finally, a very high risk appears by neglecting the collaborative dimension of the different stakeholders of such a transformation and by not having an integrated business/IT vision of the overall project to be considered and its roadmap. Most transformation failures come from transformations that are either too business (business) oriented or too information system oriented. Too business (business) oriented, when the transformation project is mainly driven by the wishes of management, and does not integrate the technical constraints linked to the information system, thus leading to relying on a simplistic IT solution, unconsolidated and risk-free. Too information system oriented, when the project wishes to implement a technical solution without having collected and understood the business needs of employees, taking the risk of an off-the-shelf digital transformation and not meeting the company’s expectations.
An enterprise architecture approach makes it possible to adapt the opportunities offered by Industry 4.0 to the specific needs of each company and to avoid pitfalls.
Increase the operational and overall efficiency of the company
Take advantage of data and new associated technologies
Support co-design
The main principles of enterprise architecture 4.0
01.
Consider the company as a whole, regardless of the scope studied. This involves studying the company (or any “part of the company”) as a system in its own right to be studied/optimized/transformed, striving to master its complexity in a global manner. Seen as a whole, the company is part of an evolving environment that must be well characterized, in order to guarantee that any transformation will make it possible to find a new balance that meets the needs and constraints of all stakeholders.
02.
Permanently integrate business visions and information systems, in an intrinsically collaborative approach, and thus avoid “silo” approaches driven by IT departments or business management. The link with product architecture is also essential in enterprise architecture 4.0. CESAMES’ expertise in system architecture, design, manufacturing and business activities is a strength that makes it possible to maintain consistency between the architecture of the product and that of the company.
03.
Rely on a clear, pragmatic and proven enterprise architecture framework, making it possible to control the complexity of a company, according to its different perspectives (external vision, business vision, information system vision). The architecture framework used is both consistent with the framework used in System Architecture, as well as other enterprise architecture frameworks such as TOGAF.