Initially developed for use in the 1970s, additive manufacturing has evolved much since its inception to allow for personal and industrial precision use in nearly every field imaginable. Examples vary in complexity from a hot glue gun to a precision-cutting electron beam.

Key Takeaways

## What is Additive Manufacturing?

Additive manufacturing is best understood as the opposite of **subtractive manufacturing**. Subtractive manufacturing is something like whittling or stonemasonry, where the worker skillfully takes mass away from the material with a sharp tool, eventually shaping a usable item.

So, to further the analogy, additive manufacturing is adding more mass onto another material in order to create a usable object of greater dimension. 

Additive manufacturing works by laying down (“printing”) a very thin layer of material one cross-section at a time, each on top of the last, to create a 3D object. Although this process gives the illusion of making something from thin air, the high-precision printing machinery is impeccably fine-tuned to heat and cool different parts of the structure at the molecular level so that the layers fuse and are set in place.


## The Beneficial Applications of Additive Manufacturing

Have you ever had a favorite appliance or piece of equipment or furniture suddenly break? To buy a substitute just won’t do – the entire product is either too expensive, or too precious to the user to be replaced; the favorite item also may be discontinued, and replaceable parts are no longer available!

*This is where 3D printing comes to save the day.*

With additive manufacturing, almost any replaceable part that wears down or fails can be custom-made for a reasonable price. This has ushered in a new love for recycling, replacing, and widely supplying specific mechanical needs in both personal and industrial settings.

Here are a few highlights of the infinite possibilities for additive manufacturing applications:

- Customized pieces for specific projects that otherwise would not provide a high-enough ROI for a company to undertake
- Up to 90% less material waste compared to subtractive manufacturing
- Uses environmentally friendly, biodegradable plastic materials
- Precise geometric design and physics
- Encourages visual design in problem-solving for engineers
- Increased accessibility for individuals to create and repair items
- Allows for creative learning and instruction
- Extends longevity of machinery, even machines that have been commercially discontinued
- 3D-printed meat can help solve the food industry's strained demand for animal proteins
- Lifesaving healthcare wearables are cheaper and more plentiful for the average person
- Ability to easily create highly complex, perfectly measured geometric shapes
- Rapid prototyping allows for more effective and cost-efficient R&D

The benefits and applications are almost too many to count. One of the more pressing solutions provided by additive manufacturing of late was a response to the PPE shortage at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. When supply chains failed to deliver PPE on short notice, <a href="https://www.nihlibrary.nih.gov/services/3d-printing-service/3d-printing-medical-equipment-response-covid-19-pandemic">individuals began 3D printing parts and new wearable solutions</a> for those at the medical front lines, which helped mitigate the international shortage.



## The Hazards of Additive Manufacturing

As with any new technology, innovative futures are tempered by the inherent risks. With additive manufacturing, the risks of increased use of this technology are somewhat unique:

First, there is a danger of eroding intellectual property standards. If a person has the same 3D printer as another, they can duplicate their products fairly easily. However, this has the opposite effect when it comes to price gouging of patented parts; knowledge and ease of product replication can help drive down excessive costs imposed by bureaucratic or corporate authorities.

Second, there is the risk of quality control when it comes to safety. Because of the increased accessibility of additive manufacturing along with decreased costs up front, some individuals flaunt personal responsibility and federal laws. 

For example, there is a growing concern that as 3D printing technology improves, so will the ability for individuals to supersede registration laws and <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2021/02/3d-printed-semi-automatic-rifle-fgc-9.html">print their own firearms and gun parts</a>. 

Not only is this dangerous in the obvious sense, but the lack of quality testing in this scenario would also mean a higher probability of product failure, which would lead to even more risks to health and safety. This same problem exists in the health industries: if certain medical device parts are 3D printed en masse to be more accessible and affordable, they also must have the utmost assurance of durability and high performance. 


## The 7 Types of Additive Manufacturing

There are seven types of additive manufacturing, even though as technology improves, the categorization and naming also shifts alongside innovation.

### 1. Binder Jetting

This type of 3D printing involves applying an adhesive binding solution to layers of powdered ceramic or metal in the cross-section using an inkjet-like process.



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### 2. Directed Energy Deposition (DED)

This type of additive manufacturing uses a laser beam to melt bits of metal (or metal powder) into a layer of material. This category also includes gas metal arc welding and freeform fabrication using an electron beam.

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### 3. Material Extrusion

The most commonly known form of accessible additive manufacturing is material extrusion, which applies plastic filament in thin layers to create a final product. It is done using a fused filament fabrication (FFF) machine. This type of AM machine has a low cost (around a few hundred dollars) and can be used for home applications, but it has major limitations as to the size, orientation, and lasting functionality of the objects it can create.



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### 4. Powder Bed Fusion

This technique uses laser sintering, laser melting, and electron beam melting to fuse metals and polymers together. This fusing is done within a granular bed for greater temporary support.


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### 5. Sheet Lamination

In this field of additive manufacturing, cheaper materials like paper, plastic, and metals are bonded together with adhesive in thin layers and pressed tightly until bonded. A tungsten blade can perform final detailed cuts to the final product.


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### 6. Stereolithography

Also known as “vat polymerization”, stereolithography is the process of curing liquid material – such as resins – into solid using ultraviolet (UV) light. The controlled light exposure causes polymerization; covalent bonds form between the layers of added material and strengthen the product.



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### 7. Material Jetting

This technique of additive manufacturing is very similar to binder jetting, but in this version, added material is added droplet by droplet in a wax-like layer directly on top of the object in production, without a granular bed of powder for support. This method is fairly inexpensive compared to others, but produces a weaker final object.

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## How to Choose the Right Additive Manufacturing Method

By nature, additive manufacturing is a wild card that can fill almost any role required of it. Because of this, it’s best to *work backwards logically*.

In other words, don’t ask yourself what you can do to promote more additive manufacturing, ask yourself what additive manufacturing can do for *you*.

Sure, you can upgrade all your industrial machinery with the latest versions of 3D printers, but the best perspective on additive manufacturing is to consider it like a swiss army knife, applicable in almost any scenario that needs a custom, individual solution.

Also, remember to think out of the box – er, 3D printing bed – when considering solutions, because you never know when a new 3D application will catalyze a new method of additive manufacturing completely, so experiment away!


Additive manufacturing is the application of 3D printing and rapid prototyping technologies in an industrial setting. From hot glue guns to electron beams, these AM tools add mass to materials to produce final objects.

## What is Agile Manufacturing?

Agile Manufacturing is a production methodology that enables companies to be agile in the face of change. As customer expectations shift and opportunities for innovations arise, Agile manufacturers are able to shift their strategies quickly and responsively. 

The consumer and industrial markets change quickly and very often. Regardless of the product or the operation, manufacturers that do not meet market demand will be left behind by competitors that can give consumers what they want, when they want it. 

Let’s explore Agile Manufacturing, what it does, how it accomplishes certain goals, and if it is the right practice for you.


## 4 Key Elements of Agile Manufacturing

Agile Manufacturing is all about turning speed and agility into a key competitive advantage.

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### 1. Customer Focus

The customer is paramount within Agile Manufacturing. While pursuing market flexibility and optimizing operational efficiency is good, if the customer is unwilling to pay for the product, then your agile methods have failed.

### 2. Modular Product Design

Instead of looking at one product as a whole, agile manufacturers will produce their products with a modular design. Each product is made up of various parts and processes which can be quickly changed or varied based on the needs of the market.

### 3. Information Technology

Knowledge is power. And the more your employees and systems have access to this knowledge, the faster and more agile your company will be to sudden shifts in the market. With greater transparency and visibility, companies are pursuing greater responsiveness to their customers. 

### 4. Inter & Intra-Company Involvement 

Within Agile Manufacturing, every department and every partner needs to be connected. From marketing, design, production, and distribution, the whole company needs to be tapped into a database that gives them access to information on materials, production capacity, delivery times, and potential issues. 

## Why Use Agile Manufacturing?

With the growth of e-commerce year over year, consumers are more demanding than ever. And their tastes and preferences are constantly evolving from month to month and even day to day. With all that Agile Methodology has to offer the industry, it is especially useful for companies with the 2 following characteristics.

1. Companies within countries where labor costs are above the global average.

For these types of companies, competing with offshore prices is not a viable option. But what they do have is greater control over their workforce, providing them with flexibility and resiliency to market shifts. 

2. Companies that are geographically close to their indented market.

If close to the intended market, companies have greater control over their production and distribution. This leads to a more agile operation that also experiences shorter lead times.

## Customer Benefits of Agile Manufacturing

Agile companies leverage their operation and methodology to provide a more responsive relationship with their customers and their needs. Progressively, consumers are getting used to 3 major factors while purchasing. 

- **Fast and Responsive Delivery**: Consumers love getting their packages as soon as possible. As we have seen with Amazon Prime, users are willing to pay monthly fees just to get their products quicker. If manufacturers are geographically close to their customers, then the business can deliver their product that much sooner, leading to greater customer satisfaction.
- **Product Personalization**: 100 years ago, when buying a blender, it came in only one size, one speed, and one color. Now, no matter what kitchen appliance, most major brands will have a variety of options to choose from. This enables customers to have a greater degree of personalization from their purchases. Agile practices enable companies to provide a varied line of products that customers can choose from without wasting time, money, or materials. 
- **Product Innovation**: Agile practices enable companies to be responsive to consumer demand and get innovations out on the market sooner. As soon as needs arise within the market, an agile company will be able to augment their product and their operation to meet those new needs. 

If a company is not sufficiently agile, they will struggle to keep up with the ever-changing demands and growing expectations of the market. 

## Agile Manufacturing vs. Lean Manufacturing

Lean and Agile can be understood as a person being lean and/or athletic. Often, companies will become Lean before they become athletic or Agile. They will first focus on cutting out waste and this enables them, in part, to pursue a more Agile methodology. Though, it should be stated that companies can be Agile and responsive to market demands while still producing a lot of waste. 

The main difference between the two is that Lean production methods focus on optimizing production whereas Agile Manufacturing focuses on optimizing customization, variety, and product evolution. This is an incredible methodology for mixed-model, <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/mts-mto-ato-how-you-can-use-these-strategies">MTO, MTS, or ATO</a> operations. As customers want newer and better products more quickly, an Agile company can fulfill these demands sooner. 

## What’s Your COC Time?

When looking at whether your company should adopt lean practices, agile practices, or both, companies need to take a look at their COC (customer order cycle). If your COC is fairly short and products are completed soon after the order has been made, then you have a lot of opportunities to change production based on the changing market.

Conversely, if your business is characterized by longer COC times, like aircraft manufacturers that gain specific contracts that last years, you may not be able to reap all the benefits that Agile Manufacturing has to offer. 

At the end of the day, within Lean and Agile methodologies, one is not greater than the other. It all depends on your production. 

## Is Agile Manufacturing Right for You?

As consumers’ expectations progressively move towards more choice, faster delivery, and frequent innovation, Agile Manufacturing is the right solution for companies looking to gain a competitive edge, especially over offshore companies. If your company is close to the intended market and has short COC times, then you will be able to optimally reap the benefits of Agile methodologies. 

But within any manufacturing style, every company can benefit from better communication and responsive actions to the market. Tools like our <a href="https://vksapp.com/work-instruction-software">work instruction software</a> help companies supercharge their capabilities and pursue both Agile and Lean success. 



Agile Manufacturing is a production methodology that enables companies to be agile in the face of change. As customer expectations shift and opportunities for innovations arise, Agile manufacturers are able to shift their strategies quickly and responsively. 

## What is Andon? 

In manufacturing, Andon is a system that enables workers to quickly notify team members and managerial staff of quality or process problems. Typically, Andon is performed by activating a light on a signboard that specifies which workstation has either noticed the quality issue or is experiencing problems.

Andon is a Japanese term roughly translated as “lantern”. And it's not hard to see why the process was given its name. Andon serves to illuminate problems on the production line as soon as workers see an issue. This enables companies to enact quick responses to problems and pursue continuous improvement frequently. 

## Brief History of Andon 

Like many Lean Manufacturing tools and practices, the Toyota Production System (TPS) is responsible for this innovation shortly after WWII. 

In early renditions of this practice, when operators noticed an error or had concerns about quality, they would pull the Andon cord. This would stop production and light up a signal board, indicating where the problem was and which workstation pulled the cord. Managers and supervisors would immediately go to the workstation and work to resolve the issue or improve the process. 

What’s interesting is that the whole production stopped every time the cord was pulled. It could be pulled by anyone on the line and it was pulled often. For Toyota, this was a key tool to enacting continuous improvement and changing the manufacturing culture to pursue quality and value at every turn. It didn’t matter that production was slowed down, it was worth it to make the product and the process better and better.

## Andon & Modern Lean Manufacturing

Though the days of the physical cord may be over, Andon has grown to take many forms and methods around the world. Now, operators can push a button, activate it through their <a href="https://vksapp.com/work-instruction-software">work instruction software</a>, or it can be autonomously activated by equipment and software when problems are perceived. 



This practice makes Andon a key Lean Manufacturing tool as it also changes a company’s perspective and culture on problem-solving. Lean is first and foremost a culture within a company. 

**The Andon light shouldn’t spark fear because of an identified problem, it sparks progress because it identifies areas for growth.**

Workers need to feel free to speak up when they see issues or mistakes. The company in turn needs to see every failure as an opportunity to increase value, reduce waste, and pursue improvement.

### Andon: 2 Ways

Andon is typically used to make 2 types of advancements.

1. Fix quality issues
2. Improve processes

For example, imagine a company fabricates and builds <a href="https://vksapp.com/industries/rail">locomotive engines</a>. These engines require several processes and people before the final product can be sent out. This includes welding, assembly, electrical wiring, and more. 

One of your assembly employees notices that a weld looks abnormal on one of the pipe fittings. Upon further inspection, she sees that the weld may not supply the adequate strength needed. She goes to VKS and activates Andon. The work instructions are paused and the supervisors are on their way. 

This quick response allows workers and managerial staff to quickly resolve the issue. They take a look at the weld in question and concur that the weld is defective. Now they have the opportunity to perform a root cause analysis and inquire with the welding department to resolve the quality issue. 

Because the error was caught early and the employee felt free and obligated to notice problems, the quality issue was fixed early in the process. 


Use <a href="https://vksapp.com/dictionary/smart-forms">VKS Smart Forms</a> to quickly inform the right people of quality issues or process improvements. 

## Benefits of Andon 

As we have seen, Andon supplies companies with a unique operations culture. By simply switching their perspective and illuminating errors, companies experience the following benefits: 

- **Operational transparency**: With Andon, nothing is hidden. Companies gain a live view of their operational defects and inefficiencies. 
- **Removal of bias**: When Andon is activated, leaders need to “go see” the issue for themselves. This removes pre-conceived notions and potential biases that anyone may have. 
- **Failure leading to success**: Workers are encouraged to share problems, failures, and possible improvements as they are noticed. This leads to greater opportunities for improvement. 
- **Decreased waste**: As a Lean Manufacturing Tool, Andon works to eliminate waste as soon as it occurs. 
- **Increased value**: If the product and process are actively improving according to the needs of the customer and the company, then the value is also always improving. 
- **Responsible and empowered operators**: Employees under the Andon and Lean Manufacturing culture take responsibility for the work they perform. They are empowered to be active instead of passively waiting for managers to enact improvements. 

Discover how Andon enables workers to quickly notify team members and managerial staff of quality or process problems. Typically, Andon is performed by activating a light on a signboard that specifies which workstation has either noticed the quality issue or is experiencing problems.

## What Is an API?

An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of code that enable two or more systems to connect and share data. As opposed to a user interface that serves to connect programs with people, APIs are used to connect programs with other programs. 

Why have APIs become such a large topic over the past few years and what can they do? 

APIs are extensively used all over the world to connect businesses, exchange data, and enhance programming capabilities. Companies like Facebook, Amazon, and Google all develop their own APIs to give other programs tailored data without handing over complete access to their ecosystem.


## The Restaurant Example

To get a firm grasp on what an API is, imagine you are hungry for some gourmet burgers, but you don’t have the capability to make them yourself. So you go to the new gourmet burger restaurant in town. You want to order some food and the kitchen is ready to make it for you. But how do you relay your order to the kitchen staff? 

This is of course done through the waiter. He is the critical link between you and the kitchen.
Without the waiter, you would not be able to interact with the kitchen and they would be unable to serve you the burger. But the waiter allows you to enhance your dining capabilities through a connection with the kitchen. 

In this example, the waiter is the API of the restaurant while you and the kitchen are two separate systems. With the API connecting these two systems, complex procedures can be performed by simply asking for them. In this way, an API serves to optimize and extend the functionality of the two systems by connecting them. 

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## Where are APIs Used?

APIs are used all over the world. They are the engine under the hood of global connectivity. Online recipes, music, maps, parking space availabilities, and more are all made possible and enhanced daily by APIs. In reality, it is very hard to find an internet application that does not use an API to some degree. 

### API Example 1

Take, for instance, buying ballet tickets online through a third-party ticket service. The service does not own the seats at the theater but simply has access to a database through the theater’s API. This capability enables them to sell tickets and automatically update the event’s database.

### API Example 2

The maker of your smartphone is not a weather company, yet it has up to the minute data on the weather all over the globe. This data is provided by companies like The Weather Channel. They have sensors around the globe and their API enables your phone to have access to their database in order to receive weather updates. 


Whether you are looking to connect VKS with your ERP,  MES, or any Business Intelligence Platform, we provide turnkey services to build the necessary connections and integrations between your various software suites.

## API Power: 4 Key Attributes

### 1. Critical Exchange of Data 

APIs open up the doorway to an enhanced data exchange between systems, giving you the best and most current data when you need it. 

Let’s continue the restaurant example. When you want to know more about your order, you simply need to ask your waiter. He can then provide you with needed information about the food, regular updates on how long you’ll be waiting, and much more. 

We can see this in a real-life example with the weather app built into any iPhone. Apple is not a weather company. They do not have weather sensors all around the globe. Rather they are pulling data from the API of forecasters like The Weather Channel. 

In the same way, APIs enable systems like <a href="https://vksapp.com/work-instruction-software">VKS work instruction software</a> to exchange information with other systems like ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and MES (Manufacturing Execution System). 

### 2. Simplify Program Complexity

APIs also serve to simplify functions that would otherwise be complex. As data is exchanged, the programs can facilitate each other by efficiently automating critical tasks.

Imagine you’re back at the restaurant and they are serving a lovely chocolate lava cake that sings to you while the molten ganache is flowing out. You don’t need to know how to make this fantastical dessert. Since you are with the waiter, you only need to order it. The kitchen will take care of the rest. 

Similarly, API-enabled programs don’t need to know how to connect to the internet or take a picture using the device camera. They simply need to ask the operating system to do it for them. It doesn’t matter what device or operating system the program is using, it only matters that there is a connector exchanging information between the two or more programs.

APIs enable programs to achieve new levels of integration and teamwork with other systems.

### 3. Extended Functionality

APIs enable systems to extend their functionality based on the programs they are connected to. We’ve all seen this happen on our phones. One program is asking for permission to access our camera or use our current location. This is the program using its API to connect with data sources and devices within our phone. 



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What’s incredible is that the possibilities are seemingly endless. Imagine the potential of integrating every system within your operation and supply chain. Now each program feeds off of the information and capabilities of other systems. 

Think of it as adding a new member to your team. As you add more people and expertise, the capabilities of your business grow. Likewise, programs interact with other systems and extend their functionality through powerful API technology. 

### 4. Layers of Security

APIs also serve to provide layers of security the same way a passport office does. 
Think of the process of applying for a passport. Normally, the process is controlled by the passport office and shielded from the general public. Much like our waiter example, the passport clerk is the intermediary between you and the process that happens behind the counter.

As we’ve discussed, this hides a certain level of complexity where you don’t have to do anything except applying. But just as importantly, it protects the internals of the system from unwanted tampering. Since users can only interact with the teller at the passport office (API), the process is protected. 

Similarly, APIs provide systems with a level of control over how others interact with their system. APIs give users safe and strong connections that protect valuable data and processes.


An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of code that enable two or more systems to connect and share data. As opposed to a user interface that serves to connect programs with people, APIs are used to connect programs with other programs. 

## What are Best Practices?

Best Practices are the established principle course of action within any situation. They can be used to make sure that the most efficient, cost-effective, and/or safe methods are being used. Typically, best practices are used within business applications as a way to establish the best working standards. These can come in the form of specific actions, guidelines, ethics, or ideas that enable businesses to produce optimal results. 

For best practices to work, they need to hit on two key elements:

1. They need to produce optimal results.
2. The standards need to be repeatable.

It is simple enough to say that best practices are the methods that produce the best results, but it is equally important for these practices to be easily repeatable. For example, if workers consistently lack time to do a job within the established best practice, then the practice is no longer the “best”. 

**Real best practices give companies control over their processes and the ability to produce consistent results.**

So what are best practices and how can you use big and small actions to find the best practices for your businesses?


## What Are Manufacturing Best Practices?

Within manufacturing, best practices can range from specific activities, like how to properly hold a hammer, to broad company-wide philosophies like transparency. Because of this, we can separate many manufacturing best practices into these two categories: 

- Specific Actions 
- Broad Methodologies

Specific Actions enable operators to know what action should be taken when faced with a specific task. 

Broad Methodologies help companies stay on track within more complex circumstances where an explicit best practice or action cannot be stated. 

Specific Actions Examples

- **Always lift with your legs**: When it comes to health and safety, this is probably the most frequently heard best practice. This is because it is valuable to remind employees that lifting with your legs and not your back is the required and safe methodology. 
- **Maintain the correct sequence of actions**: Imagine you run a <a href="https://vksapp.com/case-studies/smith-induspac-precision-is-key">packaging solutions company</a>: Every box and package needs to be assembled in a specific order. It may work to assemble the boxes in a different order but you and your team have determined that one specific order is the most efficient. 

Broad Methodologies Examples

- **Lean Manufacturing**: This business methodology/philosophy is essentially a set of guidelines. For example, <a href="https://vksapp.com/dictionary/lean-manufacturing">lean manufacturing</a> doesn’t tell you how to reduce waste specifically within your company, but it does help characterize opportunities for you to implement smart and efficient processes that meet the needs of your company.
- **DMAIC**: <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/DMAIC-Approach-Intelligent-SOPs">Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, & Control</a> is a great way to establish and improve well-performing processes. This specific data-driven sequence enables manufacturers to efficiently adapt to new technologies and methods in a well-defined and structured framework. Like lean manufacturing, this approach simply provides a framework for improvement. What methods and specific actions you use will be up to you. 

An effective way to ensure that specific actions and broad initiatives are being followed is through <a href="https://vksapp.com/work-instruction-software">work instruction software</a>. Set safety reminders and guide workers through the correct actions while opening new avenues for communication and improvement. 

## How to Establish Best Practices

When creating, developing, or improving your best practices, it is beneficial to follow a best practice. I know that may sound confusing but stick with me. To illustrate this point, let’s follow the above-mentioned DMAIC method to establish your best practices. This will enable you to find the optimal actions while setting the framework for improvement over time. 

### Define 

Here you’ll want to define the process in question. Perform a <a href="https://vksapp.com/dictionary/mes">Gemba Walk</a> to engage employees to see firsthand how the operation is done. This will give you an accurate representation of the capabilities of your workforce while including them in the decision-making process. Also, look at who is consistently producing excellent results and incorporate their actions into establishing the best practice for the procedure. 

Although going to the shop floor is a best practice in itself, having a system like an <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/how-to-do-a-gemba-walk">MES</a> that enables you to track the productivity of your employees is a powerful and consistent tool in defining processes, complications, and achievements. It will also enable workers to communicate their ideas and funnel in more valuable knowledge.

### Measure 

Once you have defined the best practice, determine what metrics you will use to measure its effectiveness. This will enable you to accurately track progress once the best practice is integrated into the operation. 

To see this in practice, let’s use the example of **always lifting with your legs**. Determine the key metric that will accurately gauge the effectiveness of the best practice. In this case, you’ll want to measure the number of back injuries before and after the implementation of this specific best practice. 

### Analyze 

Now that you’ve determined your key metrics, you can analyze the effectiveness of the best practice. Figure out root causes and plan for greater improvement over time. When needed, modify your best practice to fit the unique needs of your operation, workforce, and goals.

This is another great opportunity to talk to workers. People are often resistant to new methods so involving them in the process will go a long way in developing a strategy that everyone is comfortable doing. 

### Improve

Here’s where you use the information you’ve gathered from analysis to improve your best practice. One specific best practice is to focus on improvements that will have the greatest impact for the better. Once these have been taken care of, you’ll have a good framework for smaller and more incremental improvements as you control the process over time. 

### Control

Everyone should be aware of the implemented best practices and have a way to review them when needed. With work instruction software that guides workers through their complex manufacturing tasks, employees gain the confidence that they are doing the right actions for every task. 

Once you’ve gone through DMAIC, you’ll want to evaluate and refine the process. As your operation changes over time, improve and refine your best practices as necessary. 

## Should Best Practices Change?

It may seem counterintuitive but best practices are indeed fluid. As businesses evolve, gain new technologies, and improve their operations, the best practices that define the company needs to grow and change with it. 

Just in terms of safety, think of all the industry standards that have changed over the past decade, let alone all the changes that occurred under the pandemic. Best practices should always follow the optimal and safest results. 

That is why it is important to use methodologies and technologies that enable your company to quickly respond to industry shifts and master change. Software like <a href="https://vksapp.com/products/lite">digital work instructions</a> helps you do this. Any improvement within a methodology or process can be updated on a company-wide scale with simply a click of a button. This allows every employee to have the most current and accurate instructions and best practices at their disposal. Remove the guesswork from your operation and firmly establish the best practices your company has to offer. 



Best Practices are the established principle course of action within any situation. They can be used to make sure that the most efficient, cost-effective, and/or safe methods are being used. 

Cloud computing is the ability to offload storage and processing power to a central physical server while allowing users to virtually access those resources anywhere at any time as long as they have an internet connection.


## What is the Cloud?

A cloud service provider hosts a remote server system available for customers to tap into and virtually access the expansive resources offered by a centralized system.

Cloud computing is what allows you to access your email on your phone, your laptop, or any device you’ve never seen before, as long as you have internet access.

Clouds are maintained through massive data centres throughout the world that host different Internet servers for the distribution of data. Like Dropbox or Google Drive, the cloud is a theoretical storage system that can house parts of the internet for future access. 

If you’ve ever switched to a newer phone and found all of your contacts, information, and emails still in the same folders, you’ve accessed your information via cloud storage!


IoT devices hooked up to the cloud as a representation of cloud computing

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## 3 Types of Cloud Computing (+1 Bonus One!)

By now you can understand why the cloud is used as a metaphor for the Internet: both concepts are amorphous, with borders or limits that are not immediately distinguishable. Just like you may not notice the morning mist that rises to become fluffy clouds, you may not notice the constant buzzing of electrical signals that build to create a global net of instant communication.

Admittedly, this is still pretty difficult to visualize at times, so it is important to at least recognize the ways in which the cloud manifests. There are three “shapes” of cloud you will encounter:


### Public Cloud

Essentially, the public cloud is the Internet. It is very similar to the private cloud in terms of architecture and infrastructure, but it is accessible to multiple users at once regardless of physical location.

An example of public cloud use would be free public wifi in city parks, where individuals can access the internet without private login credentials.

Ever heard of the phrase, *“Once it’s on the internet, it’s there forever?”* This saying highlights an important risk of the public cloud: while being an incredible source of knowledge and innovation, it spreads so massively throughout the world that you can be exponentially vulnerable to bad actors. This is why you always should be careful to protect your personal identifying information while online.


### Private Cloud

An online network specifically controlled and operated by a single user, a private cloud is especially useful for companies that have to comply with privacy laws. A private cloud keeps confidential information on a server owned and maintained by a sole operator. 

For example, a small law firm may operate on a private cloud, where all company resources are exclusively accessed from a single location with a set number of approved computers and devices for extra privacy. In this instance, workers will have to go into the office to access their work files on an approved device using approved user credentials.



### Hybrid Cloud

This is a combination of public and private clouds that allow businesses easy accessibility across the board while ensuring the privacy of certain data stores.

A company might set up cloud infrastructure in this way because they want a dual access system where executive workers with approved user credentials can access high-level information that is not disclosed to lower-level employees. In this case, a hybrid cloud gives more flexibility than a private cloud and more privacy and safety than a public cloud.


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## Benefits of the Cloud for Consumers

There are so many benefits of using cloud computing that it’s hard to even keep count—the possibilities seem as endless as the cloud itself! A few key features are:

- Businesses can **save money and manpower** by offloading hosting and maintaining a private server with a full IT support team

- Multiple people can view and access the same information via **instant file sharing**

- If a device breaks or a network crashes, **data is safely backed up** by the cloud

- **Instant communication** and coordinated real-time data of all resources

- All web applications, including social media, allow for **greater social circles**

- Users are no longer limited by the potential power of a single hard drive, and can instead wield the **extended power of a bigger CPU**

- Businesses that need to operate on-the-go have **location independence** while using the cloud, so they can still access all their resources

- Easily **scalable testing** for newly-built customized applications

- Installations and **updates are instantly applied** by the SaaS provider via the cloud instead of having to physically meet to ensure proper hardware compatibility

- Accessible processing power to help businesses **participate in industrial trends** like big data, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence


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## Cloud Computing Benefits for Businesses

Because the cloud is so helpful for businesses as they fluctuate and scale with demand, there are several types of cloud-based solutions available:

### **Software** as a Service **(SaaS)**
- Application software that is sold or rented by a cloud service provider
 -  E.g. <a href="https://vksapp.com/products/enterprise">Enterprise Resource Planning Systems</a>, Salesforce, Dropbox

### **Platform** as a Service **(PaaS)**
- Infrastructure and development tools accessed through a virtual operating system (OS) called a *container* that is provided by a cloud service provider with a remote data center
 -  E.g. Microsoft Azure, AWS

### **Infrastructure** as a Service **(IaaS)**
- Infrastructure, physical and virtual servers, development tools, networking, and databases managed by a cloud service provider. This “backbone” of core computing tools is especially helpful for companies that need to adapt to spikes in scalability
 -  E.g. Applications created through infrastructural cloud-based tools

## Is Using the Cloud Risky or Dangerous?

Yes, and no. Like all technology with the potential for corruption, the cloud can be extremely vulnerable to targeted attacks. This is true of consumers as much as businesses. Consumers are at risk of their personal identifying information like credit cards and ID numbers being taken by hackers. Businesses, likewise, can be targets for competitors or hackers looking to sell high-clearance data. 

**All cloud data has the potential to be corrupted or stolen by malevolent actors.**

However, with proper attention to security measures, this is a risk **no different** than one introduced by other technological innovations. 

In other words, as long as you are prudent in setting up your cloud architecture, it is a better idea to employ cloud computing than not. 

There are downsides to the cloud, such as the necessity of an internet connection. In the same vein, if there are any outages or shutdowns at the level of the cloud service provider, you are out of luck until the cloud comes back online, so it helps to run a backup server for emergencies.


Cross-Training is an important management tool for both individual and team development. If you’ve ever worked at an understaffed business, you’re probably familiar with having to cover other coworkers’ responsibilities when they are absent or overloaded—*but there’s a better way!*

Cross-training as a business methodology has evolved far past the point where it was the equivalent of training all associates how to use the cash register when not restocking, for example. Developing employee skills in overlapping areas is best practice for ensuring interdepartmental flow.

Carefully planned cross-training scheduling standardizes flexibility within the workplace AND implements it in ways that help the overall bottom line and individual employee satisfaction. By using a few key tools and techniques, you can develop a highly adaptable, multiskilled workforce eager for any new challenge. 

This definition will take a look at the concept, including the benefits and disadvantages of cross-training as a principle, and then explore some practical tools from checklists to matrices.


## What is Cross-Training

### Business Methodologies That Use Cross-Training

Cross-training employees is a pretty universally-applied technique in the larger business world, but it is especially foundational to the following business and management methodologies:

- **Cellular Manufacturing** — a Lean Manufacturing subset that prioritizes quick production with as little waste as possible by grouping production cells or stations
- **Job Rotation** — the systematic movement of employees among departments to avoid burnout and redundancy from day to day
- **Agile Manufacturing** — a Lean methodology that focuses on fast customer response time within the production cycle
- **Just-in-Time Manufacturing** — a production model that employs pull cycles rather than push cycles in order to meet demand with little waste

Of course, while cross-training can be implemented alongside any other management system, these four methodologies have multiskilling at the foundational level, as they build upon a lean and efficient organizational approach around production cycle time.


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### Benefits of Cross-Training in the Workplace

There are so many benefits of cross-training employees that business leaders are continually finding new perks once developing employee capabilities and skills. Here are the most common benefits that come from cross-training in the workplace:

- **Lower costs** — by instilling your preferred skill sets into your current workforce and then promoting from within, you can save money otherwise spent on onboarding new hires

- **Adaptability** — a team with well-designed cross-training can adapt to changes in schedule or production more quickly because the required work falls under more than one person’s preview

- **Improve morale** — by recognizing the value in abstract problem-solving and uncommon solutions, you strengthen your team’s confidence in itself

- **Smoother workflow** — by focusing on the team’s success through individual attention, others will see the increase in communication and collaboration and do the same

- **Targeted opportunities** — identifying employees to promote for future managerial projects becomes easier because cross-training is a test run of their capabilities

- **Stronger collaboration** — your entire team’s interactions are strengthened because of a necessary increase in interdepartmental awareness as new skills are learned

- **Breeds motivation** — workers experience extended motivation between tasks because they can take breaks in-between activities

- **Better direct feedback** — a network of cross-skilled employees leads to more distributed, straightforward feedback about different types of tasks

- **Decreased absenteeism** — many businesses have reported that absenteeism decreases with cross-skilling plans, presumably since workers are more integrated with their work and driven to succeed

- **Scalable standardization** — with more than one person assigned to a skilled task, there is less chance of variability with a standardized SOP and it is likely a mistake will be quickly fixed

- **Flexibility** — if a team member is sick or suddenly absent, others can rearrange tasks and rotate responsibilities to seamlessly cover the gap

Training on the shop floor using digital work instructions

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### Disadvantages of Cross-Training in the Workplace

Overall, cross-training is a vastly successful and common practice. However, there are definitely some disadvantages to be aware of. Most of these disadvantages are swiftly resolved if the executives who are introducing the cross-training have done the necessary research and pre-planning.

- **Employee burnout** — be careful not to overload employees excited about cross-training with too much additional work aside from their other duties, as this could lead to stress and burnout, which is neither beneficial for the employee nor the employer who would have to hire a replacement.

- **Too many generalists** — this is akin to the problem of “too many cooks in the kitchen,” and this kitchen only has chefs—*no sous chefs or prep cooks!* In other words, you can’t train everyone to do everything, so when developing cross-functional skills, overlap responsibilities strategically. A team only works well when responsibilities are divided AND shared, instead of dropped for the first volunteer with an idea.

- **Mismatched compensation for added work** — at the very least, cross-training will add more work onto employees, so you must compensate your trainees appropriately. Whether that compensation is a pay raise or a title change or even a promotion in seniority, it will ensure that your employees don’t feel cheated for their extra efforts.

- **Confusion around responsibilities** — create a consistent system of passing off tasks as official responsibilities once trainees have completed their training, so that there is a clear division of workload and tasks don’t fall through the cracks.


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## How to Implement a Cross-Training Plan

Creating a cross-training regimen is straightforward, but it does involve a hefty amount of brainstorming. The principles behind a multiskilling management strategy are fairly easy to comprehend, but there are so many factors to keep in mind that without a proper visual planning checklist, you are bound to forget at least one or two. 

Fear not — the resources below will help you get organized.


### Pitfalls to Avoid When Cross-Training

At every major stage of the training process, return to this list of potential pitfalls to remind yourself of your goals and areas for improvement:

- **Know your team individually** — before implementing cross-training programs, you have to know your team members individually, including how they work best and which areas of niche knowledge they may hold. Some team members may excel at cumulative multitasking whereas others may learn best by powering through a couple training sessions

- **Uphold standardization** — ensure you’re not just passing around tribal knowledge, you’re standardizing it for future projects through SOPs

- **Decrease workloads strategically** — while training, workers will need a decrease in their routine tasks so they can concentrate on learning

- **Communicate growth** — clearly communicate that cross-training is NOT the first step of mass layoffs or downsizing

- **Recognize and reward value** — recognize the added investment of new skills in top-performing employees by giving promotions or higher compensation

- **Consider career trajectories** — consider development of your employees over a long-term time period. It wouldn’t make sense to cross-train a budding analyst in HR when they could be cross-trained in something more aligned with their career goals, like data architecture or structural coding

- **Be specific** — outline a specific learning schedule for all team members and keep track of progress to make sure no one feels lost

These bullet points are different from the checklist below because they aren’t ever really “checked off”, they are continuous improvement considerations as your cross-skilling plan develops over time. 



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### TOOLS IN PRACTICE: Cross-Training Planning Checklist

Okay, so now that you’ve finalized the goals of your cross-training plan, you need to keep an eye on all the details (and there are many to monitor!). Use this cross-training checklist to ensure you have done due diligence to the project’s guidelines, and check off each step as you complete it.



Cross-Training Checklist

A Training Needs Analysis (TNA) is a helpful tool for tracking the life cycle of a new training process in development. These analyses can vary greatly depending on the areas of focus, but tend to divide the work into four distinct steps.

1. **Identify business plan** — what you are trying to do and how
2. **Identify performance goals** — how you will measure success versus failure
3. **Identify skills gaps** — look at the skill sets you have to work with
4. **Establish new standardized solution** — implement cohesive process with checks & balances to ensure new controlled SOPs

These four steps can be further explored according to one’s unique business needs, so feel free to make it as detailed or sparse as you prefer, as long as the steps to success are broken down into the above four categories.



### TOOLS IN PRACTICE: Cross-Training Matrix Template

The best way to keep on top of your cross-training implementation is to track the results on a cross-training matrix. The template below is an example of one of these matrices.

You can create your own template using a grid like the one below, where the y axis column lists all of your employees, and the columns along the x axis refer to different skill sets needed in the workplace. As individuals grow in their skills and receive further training, their progress is marked in the chart for instant visual recognition of the intended goal.


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Let’s walk through this example cross-training matrix together:

- At first glance, it looks like Janet, having done excellent with her recent reports, is being trained to help lead a special project and to help with coding when it gets too overwhelming for Hank to do alone.
- Hank is deft at writing scripts and completing payroll, so he’s been given some direction about gathering info for reporting.
- Glen does payroll but he’s wanting to branch out, so he’s being trained for another special budgeting project in the accounting department.
- Finally, Mary has done lots of reporting, and in-between quarterly cycles, she has been helping out with back-end scripts and has just started to receive training for payroll.


Of course, templates are usually larger and more complex than this one, and you may need several different templates, some for tracking progress and others for scheduling meetings or training sessions, for example.

*Don’t forget to keep it simple.* The whole purpose of the matrix is a visual-at-a-glance. If you need to stuff more information into a matrix, then evaluate which constraints you need to measure and consider using several templates for respective tasks.

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Cross-training in the workplace is an effective management strategy that uses scheduling templates, matrices, and checklists to organize ongoing development.

## What is Cycle Time?

Cycle Time is defined as the time it takes to produce one item within the manufacturing environment. It includes any stalls or pauses that may occur intentionally or unintentionally during production. 

Knowing how long it takes to produce items enables companies to manage their resources in an intelligent and efficient way. Tracking a product’s Cycle Time gives manufacturers the ability to measure their productivity while efficiently allocating resources to optimize production flow. Whether using a <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/push-vs-pull-manufacturing">push or pull manufacturing system</a>, Cycle Time is a key metric for your production schedule and time management. 


## When Does Cycle Time Start and End?

There is no hard and fast rule on how to measure Cycle Time. It depends on the company, the process, and the product. Some companies measure their times based on when they have the raw material inventory whereas others will begin to measure at the point of worker engagement. 

Others begin the clock as soon as a customer’s order has been made regardless of other factors -- a method that is useful if also calculating <a href="https://vksapp.com/dictionary/lead-time">Lead Time</a>

That being said, the Cycle Time of a product typically begins at the initial commencement of work and ends at the final product release. The timer starts when materials, tools, and workers are in place and it continues until the product is complete and ready to leave the production area.

## Why Is Cycle Time Important?

A hands-on approach to time management has big implications on the resources used and the costs for the customer. Although time is not a physical good, it is useful for manufacturers to see time as a limited resource. 

**Wasted or unoptimized time is just as harmful as wasted materials.**

So it is beneficial to track how long a process takes and review the factors that affect it.

Tracking Cycle Time provides manufacturers with valuable insight and data into how their production is running. This data can be used to track productivity, fluctuations, improvements, and impediments to the production flow. Or it can be used to indicate if the production schedule is coinciding with demand (Takt Time).

In this way, Cycle Time is a valuable metric for both push and pull based manufacturing systems. Every manufacturing business is able to gain key insight into its operation. Offering a big perspective to help make wiser decisions.

## How to Calculate Cycle Time?

Calculating Cycle Time is fairly simple as all information is sourced from already completed work. You only need two pieces of data:

1. The total number of units produced (U)
2. The total available production time that was required to complete those units (TAPT)

Let’s put this into perspective: Imagine you produce high-quality wood baseball bats for kids. At the end of the first day of production, after your 5 workers have completed 30 combined hours of work (TPAT), 60 units of wood baseball bats (U) have been completed. Your Cycle Time (CT) would be calculated like this:

<p align="center"><strong>TAPT [30] / U [60] = CT [0.5]</strong></p>



Every half an hour (0.5 h), your employees produce 1 completed wooden bat. 

Simple enough, right? 

Depending on the product and the speed of production, some manufacturers measure Cycle Time by units per minute or even units per second. If you produce aluminum soft drink cans, you will most likely need to frame your cycle time differently than in our wood bat example as some aluminum processes can work at speeds close to 2000 cans per minute. 

## Takt Time vs. Cycle Time vs. Lead Time

For companies engaging in pull manufacturing, where the customer pulls the product onto the market, the usefulness of tacking your Cycle Time is paramount. This is especially true when comparing it to your Takt Time and Lead Time.

- <a href="https://vksapp.com/dictionary/takt-time">Takt Time</a>: The needed production time to keep up with demand.
- Cycle Time: The actual production time of one item. 
- <a href="https://vksapp.com/dictionary/lead-time">Lead Time</a>: The time from when the customer places the order to when they receive the order and payment is fulfilled.

As much as possible, your Cycle Time needs to match your Takt Time. If your Cycle Time is faster or slower than your Takt Time, then you are at risk of over or under-producing. As your demand fluctuates, your Cycle Time needs to be adjusted accordingly.

Although Lead Time does not need to match the other two metrics, it is an excellent way to track your customers’ experience. Once this is understood, you can find creative ways to get your Takt time, Cycle Time, and Lead Time working together. 


Cycle Time is defined as the time it takes to produce one item within the manufacturing environment. It includes any stalls or pauses that may occur intentionally or unintentionally during production. 

## What is Downtime?

Downtime is defined as any period where production has stopped. The production is still costing money but no revenue is being generated. Within manufacturing, there are numerous causes of downtime such as machine breakdowns, workforce shortages, worker injuries, resource shortages, poor scheduling, and even planned downtime. 

Some instances of downtime can be controlled while others are inherently uncontrollable. Either way, this results in employees waiting which incurs costs without any return on investment. 

## The Idling Engine Analogy 

For a keen understanding of this concept within manufacturing, we can compare downtime to an idling car engine. 

When a car engine is idling, it is still consuming gas and developing wear and tear. But the car is not moving forward or performing the objective it is made for. 

Downtime works the same way. There are still costs that are incurred. In these periods, factors such as machine depreciation costs, employee wages, and energy bills still need to be paid. On top of this, there are often costs associated with getting an operation back on schedule. The longer downtime is extended, the larger the resource costs and the greater amount of time revenue is not being generated. 

From this analogy, we can see that downtime is wasteful on two levels.

1. **Consumes Resources**: Costs associated with having a facility that is not working. 
2. **Consumes Time**: This is time that could have been used to produce value but is instead left inactive. 

## The 3 Types of Downtime

### Planned Downtime

Planned Downtime happens when shut down intentionally. Most often, downtime is planned when certain actions can only be accomplished if the operation or process is not running. 

Although we normally see downtime as a negative outcome in manufacturing, it can also be a necessary evil. There are times when productions need to be paused to conduct meetings with employees, implement process improvements, and/or perform valuable maintenance. 

One key feature to note is that planned downtime costs significantly less than unplanned downtime. 

#### Example of Planned Downtime

Imagine you run an aluminum extrusion operation where heated aluminum is pushed through a die to produce the desired shape. One of your machines is scheduled for a complete maintenance call. The use of this machine will need to be stopped entirely for maintenance crews to perform the required actions. 

In this case, you adjust your operation so that this planned downtime creates the least amount of impact on the whole operation. Using <a href="https://vksapp.com/products">work instruction software</a>, you inform workers of the maintenance schedule and assign other machines within their work orders. Maintenance crews Lockout-Tagout the specified machine during low-volume periods and the operation barely feels the loss of time with the equipment. 


In the case of small repairs and basic maintenance, track who is qualified to perform these actions with our <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/enhance-workforce-training">certification feature</a>. Strategically plan your workforce with the most accurate information. 

### Unplanned Downtime

Unplanned Downtime happens when an operation has been shut down outside of the control of the company's leaders. It is the result of machines, processes, or people being pushed beyond their capabilities to the point of producing accidents, breakdowns, and failures.

Other serious causal factors are also included within this category. Natural disasters, workforce strikes, and employee injuries all produce unplanned downtime in an operation. 

The cost of unplanned downtime is difficult to pin down due to the size and scope of every production. However, it is widely believed that unplanned downtime costs at least 10x more than planned downtime. 

#### Example of Unplanned Downtime

In a factory producing olive oil, numerous hydraulic machines cold-press the oil from the gathered olive seeds. But there's been a malfunction and now the press is leaking hydraulic oil all over the production floor. With the red slippery substance contaminating the production area, the operation is immediately shut down. 

Clean-up crews, maintenance workers, and quality inspectors will need to perform their key actions before production can begin again. Workers are either sent home or given other tasks in the meantime, resulting in workers waiting while not generating any revenue for the company.


Although a short period of time is devoted to starting and stopping equipment, many workplace accidents are concentrated to these times. With work instruction software, create detailed <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/machine-setup-quality-performance">machine set up and shut down procedures</a> so that operators are always protected by following the right steps. 

### Idle Time

As we saw in our Idling Engine analogy, Idle Time still incurs costs while slowing down production and revenue. If departments of your operation are slower or faster than the production schedule, other departments are likely to be sitting idle. 

#### Example of Idle Time

Take for instance an LED billboard manufacturer. If billboards are assembled at a rate of 5 a day while quality teams can only check 2-3 per day, then there is a clog in the operation. This requires the assembly line to slow down production to mitigate bottlenecks, resulting in the assembly team waiting for quality teams to catch up. 

Did you know that Watchfire Signs, a leading LED Billboard manufacturer in the U.S., uses our work instruction software across their operation? See how they <a href="https://vksapp.com/case-studies/watchfire-signs">achieved their Goals in 1 Year by using VKS</a>. 



Downtime is defined as any period where production has stopped. The production is still costing money but no revenue is being generated. Within manufacturing, there are numerous causes of downtime such as machine breakdowns, workforce shortages, worker injuries, resource shortages, poor scheduling, and even planned downtime. 

## What is a Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS)? 


A flexible manufacturing system is a methodology that enables companies to be flexible in the face of changes like market demand, manufacturing challenges, or opportunities for innovation. Whether these changes are predictable or not, FMS companies quickly shift their production to meet the needs of their business and the market. 

Typically, FMS involves organizing and connecting workstations with a central computer that manages and tracks the production process while feeding materials and data to the production line/machines. While the system enables manufacturers to fully automate their system while maintaining production flexibility, two of the main disadvantages are that it is extremely complex and expensive to set up. 

Although FMS is predominantly a systematic approach to manufacturing, it is also a philosophy that companies can apply to their own operations without spending a dime.


## What Does Flexible Mean Within FMS? 

Within the context of manufacturing, flexibility refers to the ability to change aspects of a production line based on market requirements and production environments. 

For example, mass production environments are naturally rigid since customers have come to expect little product variation from them. Although, even mass production environments benefit from flexible practices that affect volume and delivery. On the other hand, companies that are involved in mixed-model manufacturing or <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/mts-mto-ato-how-you-can-use-these-strategies">ATO/MTO environments</a> require greater levels of flexibility so that change can be quickly enacted based on external factors like:

- The market demand;
- Resource availability;
- Workforce ability. 

### 4 Types of Flexibility

1. **Volume Flexibility** is the ability to change and adjust production volumes. This enables companies to adjust resources and times without negatively impacting their ROI. 
 
2. **Mix Flexibility** is the ability to produce a wide range of products or <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/dynamic-work-instructions">variations of the same product</a>. This allows companies to respond quickly to respond to market demand. 

3. **Manufacturing Flexibility** is the ability to control production despite the normal uncertainties of manufacturing. Despite changes and unforeseen issues, the production recovers and adapts to the required resources and workforce requirements.

4. **Delivery Flexibility** is the ability for customers to set their desired delivery dates and <a href="https://vksapp.com/dictionary/lead-time">lead times</a>.

For each of these flexibility types to work, there is a certain measure of flexible practices that need to be integrated directly into the production system. This can be done with automated process lines, connected machines, and/or advanced <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/autonomous-smart-work-instructions">smart manufacturing systems</a> like VKS. 

## How Does FMS Work? 

For any system or operation to be flexible, it needs to be connected. There need to be strong lines of communication that facilitate collaboration between production segments. Otherwise, the system will break as the segments work independently. 

For FMS environments, 3 core elements bind the whole system together:

1. **Work Machines**: These are the machines that perform the physical work. Includes material presses, CNC machines, etc. 

2. **Material Handling System**: This system keeps a steady flow of materials for the work machines. This can be automated by machines and/or tracked and managed by material handler personnel  

3. **Central Control Computer**: This is the brain of the operation, managing material movements, machine flow, required pieces, and more. 

As machines perform the work, materials are constantly flowing to maintain a steady and theoretically unending flow. The central control computer is managing quantities while also tracking key production data and machine/process health information. 

### Example of Flexible Management System

Imagine you have just received a large contract to fabricate a wide variety of construction bolts and screws. You’ll need to fabricate drywall screws, steel screws, chrome-plated bolts, copper bolts, and more. 

There’s only one issue: You don't have the space nor the required amount of dedicated machines to create each bolt/screw variant. Plus, you don't have enough staff to run this operation 24/7, which is what you will need to meet your contract. 

Luckily, you have figured this out already and have some time to prepare a Flexible Manufacturing System. You set up your CNC machines to begin creating the steel construction screws. Steel is loaded into the machine automatically from your inventory by the material handling system. Once the CNC machine completes the required amount of steel screws, it will automatically send a message to the central control computer asking to begin producing a new product - in our case, copper bolts. The material handling system loads the CNC machine with copper and the operation is quickly producing the required copper bolts. 

Changeover between products is fast and simple. If you multiply this over several machines, production is virtually unstoppable. The only con is that setting up this type of system comes with some hefty upfront costs.

## How to Make Any Production Line Flexible

If you don’t have an automated production system and material handler machines, or if your production doesn’t fit a complex fully automated system, there are still ways for you to take the best parts of FMS and apply them to your operation. 

As we covered, FMS is a system and a philosophy that hinges its success on strong connections between production segments. If we apply this to a manual process (with some <a href="https://vksapp.com/products/enterprise">Industry 4.0 innovation</a>), we can achieve the same, if not better, results. 

Each production relies on people. Using tools like our <a href="https://vksapp.com/work-instruction-software">work instruction software</a> enables your workers to seamlessly communicate with their teams, machines, and systems. Despite shifts in market demand or production challenges, VKS opens the doorway for manufacturers of all types to apply smart, flexible, and fast-acting practices to their operations. 


A flexible manufacturing system is a methodology that enables companies to be flexible in the face of changes like market demand, manufacturing challenges, or opportunities for innovation. Whether these changes are predictable or not, FMS companies quickly shift their production to meet the needs of their business and the market. 

## What is a Guidebook?

The definition of a guidebook can be hard to pin down for multiple reasons. Is it a work instruction....yes. Is it a standardized process....yes. Is it a training document...yes. Is it preventative maintenance....yes. Is it an advanced system that engages workers while gathering data and connecting to other systems and tools… YES!

A simple definition might be: guidebooks are instructions that guide workers on the best way to perform a task in a step-by-step format. They guide workers through their tasks and responsibilities. 

But we’ll need more than this to get a complete picture of what a guidebook is and what it does for various industries

VKS guidebooks go beyond just a step-by-step process. They are the next evolutionary step to standardizing and managing your operation. With an intelligent digital interface that provides quick and easy information, connects with other systems/tools, and monitors valuable production data, guidebooks provide strong methods for empowering your workers and optimizing your operation. 

In situations where processes and procedures are at risk of damage if workers deviate from the established procedure, work instructions provide stability and security on the shop floor. 



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## Guidebooks Tackle the “How” of Any Process

Work teams within an operation understand the core elements of their job. 

They know what needs to be done.
They know who will perform the job.
And they know when it needs to be done.

What they’re explicitly missing is HOW their job needs to be performed.

And if an operation relies on mixed-model assembly or anything resembling MTO/ATO environments, then workers may not consistently be performing the same work, leading to confusion between processes. 

Guidebooks solve this problem by giving operators clear instructions that lead them through each task.

On top of this, guidebooks also gather data every time they are used. Either through autonomously gathering production data in the background or through direct employee engagement, guidebooks provide complete visibility into every process on a shop floor. 

## 2 Guidebook Examples

Guidebooks are used to instruct workers through any process, making them a versatile tool within any industry. From providing detailed instructions on how to create, fabricate, assemble, and clean, to training new employees and troubleshooting advanced issues, VKS guidebooks enable companies to take control of their processes, repeat success, and mitigate errors. 

We won’t be able to go through a complete list of <a href="https://vksapp.com/case-studies">use cases</a> but we can present some key characteristics using 2 examples. 

### Example 1: Dynamic Toy Assembly

Put yourself in the shoes of an operator for a custom toy car manufacturer. Every day you receive numerous work orders for different toy cars to be assembled. The cars use relatively the same components but there are some differences between each custom car based on the demands of the customers. 

Here lies the problem: You need to keep track of each order and build the right car according to specifications and demand. But as the procedure and components change for every car, it can be hard to keep track of which specifications to apply to each product. 

Luckily, you have a dynamic Guidebook that has been written for this process. 

As each specific work order is assigned to your station, the Guidebook displays the right instructions for each build. No matter if the customer wants a custom cherry red hood or a banana yellow chassis, the right work instructions are displayed every time. 

This means that with detailed instructions that change based on product demand, you and your team members always perform the right job at the right time.

Plus, while you are working, the guidebooks are capturing valuable production data autonomously in the background.


Dynamic processes enable businesses to boost productivity. More so, it enables them to efficiently cut down on inventory and pursue a <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/push-vs-pull-manufacturing">Pull Manufacturing System</a>.

### Example 2: Optimization and Quality Control

Aside from standardizing your manufacturing operation, guidebooks enable you to gain greater control of your entire operation through advanced knowledge channels. Let me explain. 

Let’s go back to our toy car example, but we’ll situate you as manager on the shop floor this time. Productivity is up, thanks in part to the dynamic standardization of guidebooks. But now you want to optimize your operation even further by boosting production times.

For this, you need to look at the data collected from your guidebooks. You've already connected VKS to your other manufacturing systems so valuable data is pouring in every time a Guidebook is used. 

Adding to this, your workers are also able to provide their unique feedback when they are working through the interactive Guidebook interface and <a href="https://vksapp.com/dictionary/smart-forms">smart forms</a>. 

Guidebooks are the foundation of the <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/best-mes-software">worker-centric MES</a>. They enable manufacturers to gain key information that can only be captured by people performing the process. At the same time, they are also driving visibility from your other systems. 

Coming back to our scenario, with the immense source of data coming from the guidebooks, you are able to see which factors aid your productivity and which ones don’t. This enables you to optimize and gain better control of your production processes. 


Any process can be standardized. And standardization is enhanced by digital technologies. Check out these <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/top-15-standard-work-instruction-examples">Top 15 Standard Work Instruction Examples</a>.

## Who Writes the Guidebooks?

You do! Well, maybe not you in particular, but people within your company do. Often engineers, experienced operators, and even sometimes managers will be responsible for creating standardized processes with digital guidebooks.

But there is one important thing to remember: Guidebooks and standardization are not always established by one person. You want the combined experience and knowledge of all your employees. 

This is a Guidebook's greatest asset. 

Every company has accumulated tribal knowledge within its workforce. The problem is that this <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/how-to-retain-employee-knowledge">knowledge is often walking out your door</a>. VKS guidebooks allow you to gather the best practices of your most experienced employees and distribute them to all of your employees. This creates an environment where every worker has access to years of experience and knowledge. 

VKS guidebooks enable manufacturers to digitally enhance by combining intelligent software and the knowledge of their employees. When companies effectively put these two resources together, the possibilities are limitless. 

<div className="quote">
<p align="center" style="font-size:150%"> If you’d like more information or want to take a deeper dive into how <strong>VKS guidebooks</strong> can benefit your unique operation, <a href="https://vksapp.com/book-demo">book a demo</a> today! Taking control of your operation is only a click away.</p>
</div>


Guidebooks are the next evolutionary step to standardizing and managing your operation. With an intelligent digital interface that provides quick and easy information, connects with other systems/tools, and monitors valuable production data, guidebooks provide strong methods for empowering your workers and optimizing your operation

## What are the ISO 9000 Standards?

The ISO 9000 standards are a group of voluntary Quality Management Systems (QMS) created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The standards are created and maintained by professionals from all over the world dedicated to creating efficient and continuously improving quality standards for manufacturing and other organizations. 

ISO 9000 helps companies document and administer an effective QMS that spans an organization’s entire operation. This QMS enables companies to oversee their operations and ensure through detailed documentation that their company is compliant with a baseline standard of excellence. 


### A Little History About the ISO

You may have seen that the acronym ISO does not match its English title “International Organization for Standardization”. This is because the acronym would change in different languages, such as OIN in French. 

To standardize their name across many languages and regions, they chose to name themselves ISO which is derived from the Greek word “isos”, meaning equal. So in every language, their name is standardized as ISO. 

## Breaking Down the 4 ISO 9000 Standards

<img src="https://strapi.vksapp.com/uploads/e_DHR_tracking_list_b1fbc73d3a.jpg" alt="ISO 9000" className="right">

ISO 9000 can get a little tricky to understand. We have the coveted ISO 9001 certification but the other documents and standards provide useful information and tools for companies looking to become certified. 

Perhaps a helpful way of looking at it is that ISO 9001 consists of the requirements and action items to gain certification. The other standards lay out key terminology and provide a foundation for continuous improvement and auditing procedures. 

ISO 9000 currently consists of 4 QMS standards.

### 1. ISO 9000 - Vocabulary and Concepts

This standard outlines the fundamentals of Quality Management Systems and provides a structure for the other QMS standards within the ISO 9000 standards. 

Users gain a foundational understanding of key concepts, principles, and vocabulary that enables them to effectively integrate a QMS within their operation. 

### 2. ISO 9001 - QMS Requirements

ISO 9001 is the actionable portion of the ISO 9000 standards. It outlines the requirements that companies will need to comply with if they desire to become certified. 

The two main requirements are: 

1. Consistently demonstrate the ability to deliver products and services that fulfill consumer requirements while also adhering to the laws and regulatory requirements of the state. 
2. Enhances and improves customer satisfaction through effective QMS implementation. This includes improvement of systems and verification of QMS compliance. 

These criteria are designed to be general so that businesses of any size and purpose may adopt a QMS that fulfills their individual needs while still complying with ISO 9001 guidelines.

### 3. ISO 9004 - Continuous Improvement

This standard provides guidelines for companies to achieve success over time.  Or in other words, this standard is concerned with the implementation of continuous improvement that enables companies to sustain continuous growth. 

It also provides a self-assessment tool that enables businesses to review their adoption of continuous improvement standards found in ISO 9004. 

### 4. ISO 19011 - Auditing

ISO 19011 stipulates the guidelines for auditing Quality Management Systems. This is useful for organizations that wish to do a self-assessment of their operations as well as those performing a third-party assessment for other companies. 

 The quality standard document details:

- The principles of auditing;
- How to manage and audit;
- And how to select competent people for the audit process. 

Companies pursue ISO 9001 certification to increase their quality output and to display their commitment to quality management and their stakeholders. Although, some companies will opt out of the certification due to its bureaucracy. Here are some <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/is-iso-9001-worth-it">pros and cons of pursuing ISO 9001</a>.

## Who Are The ISO 9000 Standards For?

At first, it was specifically geared toward manufacturers. ISO 9000 series of standards were created by ISO to help manufacturers implement standardized quality systems and maintain an efficient mode of operation.

But progressively over the years, the standards have expanded outside of the manufacturing sphere, such as transportation, construction, healthcare, hospitality, and technology. Adding to this, although the concepts, terminology, and requirements are highly regulated, the quality standards themselves are somewhat dependent on the company and industry. Different industries will have a distinct understanding of the quality standards most suited for their customers and other stakeholders. 

However, no matter the industry, all companies are encouraged to focus on the <a href="https://vksapp.com/blog/the-7-principles-of-total-quality-management">7 principles of Total Quality Management</a>. These principles are also mandated by the ISO. 

1. Customer Focus
2. Leadership
3. Engagement of People
4. Process Approach
5. Improvement
6. Evidence-Based Decision-Making
7. Relationship Management

## The Evolution and Revisions of ISO 9000 

ISO 9000 series of quality standards were first published in 1987 by the ISO as a minimum standard for quality output and operational performance. They first gained popularity in Europe and then a few years later, moved to North America. 

Now, the ISO draws from professionals from all over the world and is constantly evolving. Since 1987, the ISO 9000 series of quality standards has gone through a series of revisions. This is to account for modern practices and meet the evolving needs and understanding of quality across the industry. In this way, ISO 9000 is constantly keeping up to date with current practices and quality methods, essentially enacting continuous improvement on its own standards.

## How Do You Get ISO 9000 Certified?

Interestingly, the ISO does not directly evaluate if companies are complying with their Quality Management Systems. Rather, businesses seeking accreditation will need to reach out to third-party companies that have authorization to audit and award companies with the certification. 

Companies seeking to become certified need to first implement the recommendations within ISO 9000. Once this is done, the company would then need an audit to evaluate and confirm its compliance with the standards. This can be done internally or by an external company. However, only an authorized external company can issue the certification. 

Although the ISO does not perform the certification themselves, their website gives extensive information about <a href="https://www.iso.org/certification.html" target=”_blank”>selecting a certification body</a>. 



The ISO 9000 standards are a group of voluntary Quality Management Systems created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).  ISO 9000 helps companies document and administer effective methods that enable companies to oversee their operations and ensure through detailed documentation that their company is compliant with a baseline standard of excellence. 


Welcome to the wonderful world of the Industrial Internet of Things! Explore the difference between the IoT and the IIoT, how the IIoT actually works, the specific impact of the manufacturing sector, and then implementations, challenges, and forecasts for the Industrial Internet of Things at large.

## What is the Industrial Internet of Things?

When the technology for the Internet of Things first became accessible, people and businesses everywhere rushed to install internet-connected devices in small consumer spaces and for personal use. The Industrial Internet of Things is a larger application of IoT technology most commonly applied by the transportation, medical, retail, and manufacturing industries. It goes beyond consumer spaces, reaching into the supply and distribution chains of more industrial markets.

Just a few of the many benefits of the Industrial Internet of Things include higher levels of industrial automation, a broader operational efficiency, and a reduction in downtime, quality errors, and safety infractions. The IIoT also allows businesses to analyze their scalability through predictive analytics and identify new revenue streams. All in all, the IIoT has revolutionized manufacturing.



The Industrial Internet of Things is made of automated sensors and processing equipment, but it is also much more than that. The IIoT framework allows for the collection and analysis of key data from electronic equipment across the span of the whole production process. Ultimately, the Industrial Internet of Things connects the people, devices, and software applications into a fully integrated business ecosystem.

## How is the IIoT Different from the IoT?

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the idea that the Internet is composed of many interconnected devices that constantly send signals to each other. But what can these signals do when they communicate? 

Here’s where we turn to innovation, including the Industrial Internet of Things, or IIoT. At first glance, these terms seem pretty interchangeable, but understanding the difference between them will put you leagues ahead in your business as you capitalize on these new upgrades to the IoT. 

The biggest difference between IoT and IIoT is that the former is made up of devices you can touch. The latter is made up of devices that you can touch, but that you rarely need to, as they respond to their own internal algorithms and data collection. 

The Internet of Things focuses on connecting individual devices to networks to help automate certain processes.
- An example would be sensors turning on overhead lights or adjusting a room’s temperature throughout the day.

The goals of the Industrial Internet of Things on manufacturing systems are twofold:
1. Increase local collaboration between automated devices
2. Increase system optimization within global market trends

- An industrial example would be a temperature sensor in a piece of operational equipment that traces temperature changes and predicts system wear and maintenance throughout the production cycle.


The IoT and the IIoT are very similar, except that the Industrial Internet of Things has a much larger scope. This is because **full integration of IoT devices expands the opportunities for businesses to optimize their entire systems** by strengthening their technological architecture.

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"An IIoT system is not intended to replace the existing implementation of control and automation system in the control domains but seek to establish connectivity, to gather data and provide optimization feedback to them through advanced analytics often in a larger context than the individual control and automation system."



## How Does the Industrial Internet of Things Actually Work?

The Industrial Internet of Things is a combination of Information Technologies and Operational Technologies. This intersection allows for greater human implementation of equipment and technology.

The Industrial Internet of Things = Operational Technology + Informational Technology

**In short, IIoT = OT + IT**

Information Technologies are present in the use of computers, networks, and other systems and hardware that can store and process electronic data. It is a broad category because it encompasses all non-physical data systems and back-end architecture. 

**IT mostly refers to abstract systems**, like organized data warehouses or internet accessibility.

Operational Technologies are the systems of software and hardware that control and monitor the industrial equipment at work. **OT mostly refers to physical systems**, like industrial equipment and machine hardware. 


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The Industrial Internet of Things gets its data from automated sensors and processors, and then the data is synthesized further using techniques like M2M (machine-to-machine), AI (artificial intelligence), and big data. 

The combination of Informational and Operational Technologies, functional due to data processing such as AI and M2M, allows for more integrated, cohesive, enterprise systems that can help businesses better manage their own efficiency as well as keep up pace with supply chains.

## The Industrial Internet of Things in Manufacturing

The Industrial Internet of Things is also the integration of Cloud computing to a manufacturer’s Industrial Control System, or ICS. An Industrial Control System is simply all of the hardware (and some software) that is installed and operates on some level of the production line. An ICS is included in what we call Operational Technology. It includes some things you may have heard before like PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems.

So, we have another helpful definition of the Industrial Internet of Things:
**IIoT = ICS + Cloud computing**

Cloud computing is one of the easiest and most popular ways of breaking up and re-organizing old data silos. It includes a form of data architecture called edge computing, which works by grouping large datasets close to the “edges” of a network so that analysis can be more easily and quickly completed in segments. This is a huge cost-saver when it comes to implementing IIoT technology in a business with many moving parts.


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The above image shows a great example of how edge systems are created in order to group data to make analysis much easier.


## Analytic Purposes of IIoT

There are many specific analytic applications for the IIoT depending on what your business strategy is, so it can be helpful to categorize types of analysis into a few broad groups to conceptualize the big picture:

**Descriptive Analytics**: monitoring data for insight on reporting, trends, training, detection and diagnosis, etc.
- i.e. Optimizing equipment usage and reporting


**Predictive Analytics**: statistical and machine learning techniques, consumption and wear & tear predictions
- i.e. Optimizing system maintenance and performance


**Prescriptive Analytics**: identifying and optimizing best practices in new sectors or market gaps
- i.e. Optimizing business' market niche and scalability



Use this kind of abstract grouping to help identify the specific purposes or desired outcomes of your IIoT implementation!


## Industrial Internet of Things Challenges

The biggest concerns of the Industrial Internet of Things are privacy and security. Because data is being stored on the internet via Cloud computing, it is vulnerable to cyber attacks. Researchers in the field have identified access management, secure data encryption and gateways, sensor authentication, and software authorizations as potential weak spots for security breaches.

Especially with edge computing, building more electronic information pathways strengthens your data processing, but also opens up new areas for a potential breach.

With all of this concern about cybersecurity, it is prudent to use an <a href="https://vksapp.com/products/enterprise?utm_source=VKS&utm_medium=63435767171&utm_campaign=vks%20enterprise&gclid=CjwKCAiAxJSPBhAoEiwAeO_fP3vAbsGziSsrnyBF5rrmB7fUtkvXKe2C4Wo7dyw61C9mdyXlgihbnRoC8E8QAvD_BwE"> enterprise resource planning system </a>that can help configure each aspect of your business into the industrial sphere with a privacy-first, cyber-aware perspective.


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Another, growing concern of the IIoT is the *interoperability* of IoT devices. Interoperability refers to the ability of different devices to send data and communicate with each other automatically. Because a lot of IoT devices use different software and metrics, you need to build stable connections between devices so that the system can run by itself. Imagine a consumer IoT home, which has a Google Home, an Apple Smart TV, and some automated kitchen appliances. They might just have a *little* trouble setting up all those devices under the same command system, seeing as they have different manufacturers and patented tech. Now imagine that level of local collaboration between a hundred devices in a factory setting: without a standardizing command system, it would be chaos!

As more technology is discovered, more complicated IoT devices and also IIoT data processing will be available. For up-to-date businesses riding the wave of IIoT innovation, keeping up with the technology will be difficult but not impossible, as proper IIoT architecture keeps scalability and interoperability in mind.


## IIoT Technology of the Future

Most of the Industrial Internet of Things technology we can identify today is very new in the scheme of the things, and may rapidly change with developments in research. For example, while most commonly people use some version of the Cloud for data storage, the 5G cellular broadband network is starting to be implemented more into businesses’ IIoT architecture. 

The Industrial IoT Consortium (a group of global businesses invested in the development of the IIoT) created the <a href="https://www.iiconsortium.org/pdf/Industrial_Analytics-the_engine_driving_IIoT_revolution_20170321_FINAL.pdf">Industrial Internet Reference Architecture</a> standards in order to introduce SOPs for all businesses trying to implement IIoT systems.

The system they came up with to describe a fully integrated IIoT framework is thorough, but easy enough to understand at a glance:

1. **Control**: sensing, communication, execution, motion, and actuation;
2. **Operations**: provisioning, management, monitoring, diagnostics and optimization;
3. **Information**: data fusion, transforming, persisting, modeling and analyzing;
4. **Application**: logic, rules, integration, human interface; and
5. **Business**: enterprise and human resources, customer relationships, assets, service lifecycle, billing and payment, work planning and scheduling.


From the bottom up, every aspect of the business operations is connected to the IIoT system, from the most simple sensors on equipment all the way up to business strategy for new revenue streams identified by data analysis. This is what is called an “end-to-end” IIoT system, and it is the eventual goal of anyone adopting any form of IIoT technology.

There’s one thing we know for sure: the Internet of Things is constantly growing and being further industrialized for maximum efficiency and reach. So hop on to this business trend while you’re ahead, and starting Industrializing your Things!



Explore the difference between the IoT and the IIoT, how the IIoT actually works, the specific impact of the manufacturing sector, and then implementations, challenges, and forecasts.

“Industry 4.0” is a nickname for our current age of digital technology in industrial manufacturing. Characterized by a collaboration of human and autonomous labor, the fourth industrial revolution grew from beyond early computer capability, fully distinguishing itself as a new wave of manufacturing beginning around the early 2000s. It is built upon <a href="https://vksapp.com/dictionary/cloud-computing">cloud computing</a>, smart tools, and optimized automation. 


## So How Did We Get to the Fourth Industry Already?

“Industrial revolutions” are historical frameworks for understanding the technological improvements of modern tools over recent history. This framework takes historical evidence from several Western civilizations starting from about the mid-18th century, these countries mainly being Great Britain, Europe, and North America. The industrial tools and systems that we still use today in modern manufacturing can be traced back to the industrial complex that started developing in the 1760s.

The use of this framework of history, as well as the conclusion that the modern age is currently in the middle of the fourth industrial revolution, became officially referenced for the first time in 2016 by the German government. Here's a short timeline to get you up to speed:




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### First Industrial Revolution

The first Industrial Revolution, from **about 1760 to 1840**, was characterized by **mechanical power**, mainly water and steam, in large-scale, industrial operations. With the adoption of tireless, cheap, mechanical power, factories didn’t have to employ a person for every task; a machine had the ability to produce at an incredibly profitable scale, and perhaps needed only one or two workers to manage it. 

### Second Industrial Revolution

As factories decreased production times, they were able to produce more items and invest in expanding their market base, which inspired more demand. In this way, mass production is another key characteristic of the 2nd Industrial Revolution, which is generally accepted to be from **about 1871 to 1914**. Industry 2.0 benefited greatly from the integrated expansion of **telegraph and rail networks**.

Critical inventions like accessible **electricity** and the organized **assembly line** improved factories’ ability to incorporate the state-of-the-art mechanical parts into human workflow. 

### Third Industrial Revolution

The Third Industrial Revolution is characterized by the first introductions of computer and automation technology. It began in the **late 20th Century**, after industrial tech slowed in advancement after the first two world wars. The first motor-driven, mechanical computer, the **Z1 computer**, was invented. Scientists quickly explored the **digital age** with applications of binary and Boolean mathematics.

### Fourth Industrial Revolution

Industry 4.0 shares a lot in common with Industry 3.0 because it builds upon the applications of computer systems. Officially coined in 2016, Industry 4.0 began in the **early 21st century**, according to most historians. 

Overall, Industry 4.0 is differentiated by its focus on digitization and **data optimization**, particularly through <a href="https://vksapp.com/dictionary/cloud-computing">cloud computing</a> and the <a href="https://vksapp.com/dictionary/industrial-internet-of-things">Industrial Internet of Things</a>. All of these technologies have been applied to resemble what is known as a **digital Smart Factory**. More specifically, **cyber-physical systems (CPS)** are the engines of Industry 4.0 specs: they power other technologies relevant in this age, such as **artificial intelligence**, **big data**, **machine learning**, and **additive manufacturing**.



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Industry 4.0 is the modern age of industrial manufacturing, characterized by digitization, cloud computing, and the Smart Factory.

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