Industry 4.0

Abstract

The German Government and the European Commission have launched the strategic initiative named Industrie 4.0 for a re-industrialization of Germany and Europe and for achieving more competitiveness and sustainable growth. The strategy promotes and supports R&D and the implementation of digital technologies at SMEs of the traditional manufacturing industries. Digital technologies include Cyber Physical Systems, Cloud Computing, Robotics, 3D-printer-technology, Smart Factories, Additive-Manufacturing, and Artificial Intelligence. The impact of digitization on the economy, on employment, and on business results of SMEs is not yet clear due to insufficient availability of business data. The methodological framework of a SWOT-Analysis might be most convenient to discuss the strength, weakness, challenges, and opportunities of the strategy and the threats on its implementation. The contribution is addressed to politicians, academics, media, startups, and managers of SMEs that are less familiar with the Industrie 4.0 strategy. The concept might be useful to overcome the impact of the corona virus lockdown.