Industry 4.0 will transform B2B faster than you think
By the late 18th century, handmade production methods shifted to machines powered by steam and water. This began the Industrial Revolution, according to Wikipedia, which led to another revolution (Industry 2.0) when railroads, telegraph networks and electricity sped the transfer of people, ideas and created modern production lines.
In the late 20th century, the Digital Revolution transformed all industries with advancements in computers and communication technologies. But in case you haven’t already noticed, Industry 4.0 is underway now in factories and supply chains.
This latest revolution has come from automation technology and intelligent machines that increase the efficiency of workers and their ability to perform complex tasks.
The next digital frontier
COVID-19 has accelerated the spread of Industry 4.0, especially in e-commerce, by spurring new tools and resources to support direct-to-consumer and B2B segments. The pandemic forced suppliers and receivers to shutter physical plants and fast-track their digital conversions.
The B2B market is largely untapped for digitization and I.T. providers continue to bring forward advanced digital applications and tailor them for specific needs. These solutions run the gamut from Industrial Internet of Things to Artificial Intelligence, Predictive Analytics, Robotics, and Additive Manufacturing or 3D Printing.
This B2B digital revolution is ushering in a long-anticipated convergence of B2B and B2C solutions. Organizational silos that have separated the two experiences will dissolve, and the rate of transformation in B2B will be faster than anyone can comprehend.
Individuals and businesses will become consumers of one integrated channel. Suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers in the B2B ecosystem will demand the same speed, accuracy, flexibility and security that consumers routinely expect of companies like Amazon.com. After all, both supply chains ultimately exist to serve a common customer: the consumer.
Amid this sea of change, the way many industry sectors operate will likely not be recognizable two or three years from now.
Adapting to change
B2B organizations are quickly adapting and implementing automation and mobile solutions to meet those expectations.
A good example is an auto parts distributor that services dozens of businesses ranging from DIY retail outlets to independent mechanics. In the past, complex security protocols required that a delivery company be able to disarm the alarm or a receiving employee be available to accept deliveries of critical parts.
Goods often had to be delivered within specified daytime windows. Unfortunately, that was when consignees are at their busiest and when traffic is at its heaviest. Additionally, safety protocols in logistics and much of the supply chain increasingly require contactless delivery to reduce potential COVID-19 transmission to keep personnel, couriers, and customers safer.
With BoxLock, an auto parts retailer or local mechanic can now receive key parts during off-hours, even in the middle of the night, and know the goods and their facility will be safe and secure when they open up the next morning.
BoxLock is a smart, IoT lock that can be used to secure lockers, cages and storerooms. BoxLock ensures that items to be picked up or delivered are secure and can only be collected by the right person.
When someone puts something in the box, BoxLock knows and can inform the individual running collections, ensuring maximized efficiency and security. BoxLock also integrates with route management systems to dynamically update driver routes.
To learn more about how BoxLock’s software and hardware solutions are improving security and efficiency in current and emerging applications in B2C and B2B, visit: www.getboxlock.com