Methodological Framework Based on Digital Technologies for the Implementation of Industry 4.0 in SMEs

Abstract

The Industry 4.0 or also called the Fourth Industrial Revolution is the digitalization of the manufacturing world through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)in manufacturing processes, through the change of the traditional pyramid model of automation to a model of interconnected services through connecting systems and sharing data to gain efficiency and improve productivity, generating an ecosystem among clients, suppliers and producers. This change is described as disruptive and has already been implemented in large companies such as Siemens, Volkswagen, among others. In practice, SMEs are part of this new ecosystem and must also adopt Industry 4.0. Germany a leading country of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has support programs for SMEs, Spain has also allocated economic resources for this purpose, however, a formal methodology based on digital technologies for the implementation of Industry 4.0 in SMEs is not yet known.