Read: "How to Thrive in a Smart World with Industry 4.0" White Paper

Industry 4.0 is here.

Understanding what it means to grow your business is essential. As the next phase of modern manufacturing, Industry 4.0 involves digital connectivity transforming traditional systems through robotic automation, optimization, 3-D printing, big data networking and other forward-thinking models. While these developments have existed within their own silos, it is only now that they are finding their way into industrial applications. Moving forward, traditional factories and shop floors will be just as “smart” as the phone in your pocket.

What does this mean for the glass and windows industry? Quite a lot. Manufacturers are discovering how adapting their systems to the Industry 4.0 model helps them grow faster and drive up innovation while improving product quality and customer satisfaction.

A+W has just released a white paper that promises to illustrate where we came from, where we are, and where we are going. How to Thrive in a Smart World with Industry 4.0 is a concise and informative overview of how automation and connectivity are already changing the face of manufacturing into the mainstream. In fact, according to a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), just 33 percent of U.S. manufacturers are at a level of digitization to qualify for Industry 4.0; by 2020, that total is expected to more than double to 72 percent.

Which means it is time to get on board. A+W’s white paper promises to show you:

• The challenges that Industry 4.0 applications present for the manufacturing sector.
• The benefits for the glass industry, including case studies involving companies that have already seen growth.
• How Industry 4.0 can disrupt all stages of production, from entry to shipping, from a new model that offers transparency for both the manufacturer and customer.
• How Industry 4.0 is perfect for making customized orders easy.

Other areas that are explored include improved safety for human workers, mobile access for real-time monitoring and communication, and the ability to make changes or avert breakdowns during the manufacturing process

Check out the white paper here. It is just another way A+W wants to make sure you make the best decisions for your company's future!