Industry 4.0 is a hot topic today, but definitions often vary. What would be yours?

It’s true that it sometimes seems like every expert has their own definition. At SEGULA Technologies, we consider that this concept describes the phenomenon of digital and technological transformation within a company. Thanks to connected devices, network data management, and artificial intelligence, our traditional industries—sometime sover a century old—now have new levers to improve their operational performance, industrial processes, and thus their profitability.

Industry 4.0 therefore represents a technological response to the major challenges facing the industry and the economy in general. The automotive sector is currently one of its main areas of application, as are major aerospace companies, which are becoming pioneers in this field.

So it’s not just a passing trend?

I believe this criticism is no longer valid. Industry 4.0 is not just a trend, but a strategic transformation that has become indispensable in the industry. It is now a tangible reality. Certainly, relatively new processes emerging from artificial intelligence, industrial metaverses, or virtual twins still need to make their way into industries and prove their effectiveness. However, more mature solutions like connected devices and data tracking tools are now widely deployed in companies.

From a broader perspective, digital tools are increasingly of interest to members of our ecosystem. They have understoodthat by freeing up human time and eliminating the burdens of repetitive tasks, they can gain more time for creative orrelational missions.

Moreover, in my view, the real debate is not about substituting humans with artificial intelligence, but about achieving a rapid return on investment, and thus profitability. Despite significant investments, digital transformation sometimes still struggles to demonstrate its impact on economic performance. For this to happen, it must become an essential component integrated into the strategy of industrial companies.

How does SEGULA Technologies position itself on this topic?

To successfully navigate the strategic shift to Industry 4.0,manufacturers need reliable partners who can understandtheir current challenges and, more importantly, their futureones. Industry 4.0 is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it mustand should be customised for each company.

While Industry 4.0 technologies are available, fully exploitingthem remains a challenge. This observation guides oursupport. Well-versed in technological and operational issues,our teams assist our clients in implementing solutions tailoredto their current realities. This can involve a comprehensive approach over several months, with SEGULA Technologies resources integrated into their team, or more specific tasks addressing targeted needs.

For instance, I’m thinking about launching a predictive maintenance approach or designing a digital twin of an industrial site or production line (Building Information Modeling). In all cases, on the ground, Industry 4.0 should enable our clients to make anticipatory decisions, being better informed through data-driven insights. This is our commitment.

And what about tomorrow? Industry 4.0 is inevitably a discipline of endurance…

Indeed, digital transformation opens up new perspectives and opportunities for the industry, but it also requires long-term commitment and investments. Technological advances will continue to accelerate the pace of adoption of Industry 4.0 and transform industrial processes.

This phenomenon will concern more and more industrial sectors and more and more companies, including SMEs. Likewise, at SEGULA Technologies we foresee an intensification of partnerships between digital and industry players. A dialogue that will make it possible to more fully exploit Industry 4.0 technologies.

In other words: the benefits of digital transformation will materialise more as technologies evolve. And in particular artificial intelligence which will become increasingly important in industrial decision-making. These forecasts should encourage industrial leaders to get started without delay. Companies that invest in Industry 4.0 today will have a real competitive advantage tomorrow.