Market Overview: EHS & Industry 4.0

22 Jul, 2019

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Executive Summary

Over the last 30 years, advanced electrical devices and software have allowed for automation, tracking and management of industrial processes, leading to reduced costs, increased production and expansion of widespread supply chains. We now enter a new revolution, called Industry 4.0, which empowers how industries can operate in the new digital age. Industry 4.0 incorporates cutting edge-technologies, interconnected machinery and humans to evolve how manufacturing is viewed and managed. Innovation in EHS is subsequently being driven from the rise of new technologies and mega-trends. This report provides a strategic overview into the current trends and focus on EHS in relation to Industry 4.0. Furthermore, Verdantix analysis identifies the potential pitfalls of this new era of EHS technological advancement and details how firm’s can best position themselves to take advantage of Industry 4.0 technologies. Additionally, To better understand how EHS relates to Industry 4.0, Verdantix spoke to EHS services firms AECOM, Arcadis, and ERM.

Industry 4.0 Is A Multi-Decade Mega Trend
Industry 4.0 Definition
Four Trends Are Shaping The Industrial Business Landscape
Connecting Industry 4.0 To EHS Objectives

Industry 4.0 Technologies Poised To Transform The EHS Function
Industrial Wearable Devices Provide Granular Insight Into Worker Safety
Connected Worker Platforms Provide A Powerful Tool To Manage Numerous Sources Of IoT Data
Empowering And Protecting Workers Utilizing Digital Training Technologies 
Improve Worker Quality Of Life With Ergonomic-Focused Technologies
Use Connected Worker Data To Identify Potential Risks Before They Evolve With Advanced Analytics

Industry 4.0 Leaders Exemplify Best Practices To Overcome Digital Transformation Challenges
Pioneers Succeed With Industry 4.0 Projects Across Multiple Industries
Challenges Arise As Industry 4.0 Projects Gain Traction
Firms Strategizing And Preparing Themselves For Industry 4.0

Figure 1. Four Trends Of Industry 4.0
Figure 2. Industrial Wearable Monitoring Capabilities And Use Cases
Figure 3. Structure Of Data Siloed Versus Integrated Firms

About the Authors

Bill Pennington

Bill Pennington

VP Research

Bill is VP Research at Verdantix, where he leads analysis on the evolving and interconnected landscapes of EHS, quality, AI and enterprise risk management. His research helps ...

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Steve Bolton

Steve Bolton

Research Director

Steve leads the Verdantix EHS research practice, based out of our New York office. He has 25 years of experience advising on sustainability, EHS, circular economy, corporate s...

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