Technology in Business: Application of the Advances in Industry 4.0 to Small to Medium Sized Enterprises

This book describes and defines the elements of the fourth industrial revolution and how the opportunities offered by sensorization, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, robotics, and the use of big data can benefit small to medium-sized enterprises. It first defines the terms of the latest technological advances and then suggests the ways in which these can be applied. Business is about meeting customer needs by delivering products and services to expectations at the appropriate quality and price and on time. When the appropriate digital tools are applied within a lean thinking framework using statistical control of all processes, the benefits to the customer and the enterprise are significant. Advances in industries such as fuel cells, battery technology, robots and clean energy solutions are briefly described. It is hoped that the readers and my clients will benefit from my experience as they further innovate and create their successful business ventures.

John Blakemore is an accomplished pianist, sailor, consultant engineer, nuclear technologist, scientist widely recognized polymath and an adjunct professor at the University of Newcastle, Australia. He has consulted to some of the most important companies in the world, including Panasonic, BHP, CSIRO, Speedo, Pirelli, Alcatel, Carlo Erba, Honda and Toyota. He has invented and developed numerous business processes in a wide range of businesses, served on the boards of numerous companies, and has been an adviser to former prime ministers on innovation. Dr. Blakemore was the leader of the quality revolution in Australia with his book The Quality Solution and earlier led the first quality system in Australia in 1981. His books are critically acclaimed and widely regarded in universities in Australia and overseas. He is an accomplished pianist and sailor and resides in Sydney.