Incorporated into Electra Mining Africa 2020 Connect’s Automation Day theme on 8 September, the SAIMC hosted a well-attended webinar under the title, ‘Preparing South African business for the 4IR, getting the business and technical frameworks right to ensure success’.
Moderated by Dave Wibberley, MD Adroit Technologies, the session addressed the competitive opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), as well as the threats faced by those economies that fall behind in its adoption.
First to speak, Marc Van Pelt, MD of Pepperl+Fuchs in South Africa, highlighted the vision of 4IR in the context of the recent report of the Presidential Advisory Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, delivered to President Cyril Ramaphosa on 6 August. In particular, he stressed the need to invest in upskilling the youth of South Africa to equip them for employment in the new industrial era. Infrastructure was another point he emphasised, in particular, the importance of a 5G network to provide the critical ‘last mile’ of connection needed to complete the digital networks that underpin the 4IR.
Sasol’s Stefan Strydom (head of digital) and Oratile Sematle (digital lead) followed with a presentation on the importance of evaluating the business benefits of a 4IR project before any technology is actually deployed. In Sasol’s case, it was forced into digital transformation as there was just no other way to keep up with the demand for more accurate supply chain information from its customers. Sematle explained how modern customers are demanding a better experience in terms of order placement, product availability, lead times and order tracking, right through to delivery. Sasol risked losing its supplier status if it did not comply and was therefore forced to adopt 4IR technologies as nothing else was sophisticated enough to solve such complex, multi-dimensional business problems.
Analytics and insights specialist at Sasol, Annemarie van Coller, concluded the session with an overview of how the relevance and accuracy of data becomes the most important thing in the design of systems to solve problems similar to those faced by the previous speakers. She stressed the importance of understanding the data requirements within the context of the business problems that need to be solved and the need for multi-skilled professional teams to develop the required implementation models.
The message is clear. South Africa needs a workable 4IR implementation strategy or risk becoming an obsolete supplier in a globally evolving supply chain. Upskilling of people and a reliable 5G infrastructure are prerequisites
Read more...Schneider Electric announces 2023 Global Alliance Partner Programme award winners Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric has announced the winners of the 2023 Global Alliance Excellence Awards. Throughout 2023, Schneider Electric’s Alliance Partners supported customers in the digitalisation of industrial automation, delivering value with innovative initiatives, solutions and services.
Read more...Custom containerised lubrication dispensing system
News
Bosch Rexroth Africa recently supplied and installed a customised environmentally friendly and dust-proof lubrication dispensing system for a leading earth-moving equipment supplier.
Read more...Siemens to acquire industrial drive technology business of ebm-papst Siemens South Africa
News
Siemens has signed an agreement to acquire the industrial drive technology business of ebm-papst. The business includes intelligent, integrated mechatronic systems in the protective extra-low voltage range and innovative motion control systems.
Read more...Bearings International fosters a segment strategy Bearings International
News
Bearings International has a segment approach to the market, which places an intentional focus on key industries in South and sub-Saharan Africa in a bid to optimise operations, enhance uptime, and drive business sustainability and increased profitability outcomes for customers.
Read more...Local robotics team’s journey to the world stage
News
In the heart of Cape Town, a group of young visionaries aged 12 to 17 is making waves in the world of robotics. Known as Texpand, this team from Pinelands has not only dominated the First Tech Challenge (FTC) in South Africa, but has also earned international acclaim for its innovative approach to engineering and problem solving.
Read more...RS Group expands by 10 000 products RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa has announced its Better World Claims Based Framework, enabling customers to select verified sustainable product alternatives. This provides suppliers with a standardised framework to accelerate the development and manufacture of more sustainable and responsible products.
Read more...IRP 2023 could reset SA’s social and economic problems
News
ACTOM recently held a webinar on the ‘Draft IRP2023 Impact on the Manufacturing Sector’. South Africa’s Draft Integrated Resource Plan 2023 is a key document that outlines a comprehensive strategy for addressing the country’s energy security challenges, while also setting out its transition to a diversified energy mix, including renewables.
Read more...Young scientists to showcase innovative research
News
Innovative South African research which includes a cost-effective triage test for real-time detection of TB and a nature-based technology that brings about environmental remediation, will be showcased at this year’s International Festival of Engineering, Science and Technology in Tunisia.
Read more...Moog takes a leadership position in lunar exploration
News
NASA is planning for a sustained human presence on the Moon, and resources such as water could eventually be harnessed from the lunar surface instead of being transported from Earth, and it has turned to industry to find ways to excavate and transport that icy regolith.
printer friendly version