The Fourth Industrial Revolution, better known as Industry 4.0, defines the integration of advanced digital technologies into industrial processes to improve efficiency, productivity and flexibility. In this industry, machines, production systems and products are interconnected through what we call IoT, or the Internet of Things, enabling real-time data collection and sharing.
While we cannot claim that Industry 4.0 has come to an end, it is unrealistic to deny that we are in a period of constant transformation, where industry is evolving into a new era: Industry 5.0, where the tight integration between humans and technology is completely redefining the industrial landscape.
This new revolution, which is already a reality, differs from the previous step by reintegrating the human element at the core of production processes, advocating the inclusion of technology and people.
The concept of the user at the center is clear to us at MESbook, as it has been the focus since our origins. Will we be pioneers in industry 5.0? Possibly yes, but far from looking for meaningless medals, we ask ourselves the following question: is this really positive or negative for the human team? Today, in this new MESbook blog, we are going to unravel this, and we will explain why having tools like ours is a solution designed precisely to help people and not to replace them.
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How does Industry 5.0 affect the current landscape?
This new phase is characterized by the reintegration of people at the core of production processes, advocating the inclusion of technology and people, a concept that MESbook has focused on since its inception. In fact, our tool focuses on the people who manage a factory and not on the factory itself.
It is true that Industry 4.0, which has brought an enormous qualitative leap in terms of process execution and analytics, has generated both admiration and serious concerns, in technical, ethical and actual optimization aspects.
Automation has led to unprecedented efficiencies, but it has also raised fears about job losses and depersonalization of the workplace. This not only brings with it the consequent personal drama, but also the loss of opportunity analysis that only the employee himself is able to detect.
And that is where 5.0 comes from, which emphasizes the unparalleled value that people bring to the workplace, even in an era dominated by artificial intelligence.
In line with this evolution towards Industry 5.0, MESbook in its podcasts has already underlined the relevance of placing the user at the center of factory management, reaffirming our commitment to the integration of technology and human capital in the industrial environment.
The current state of Industry 5.0 in Spain
Closer to home, in Spain we are still adapting to this new era, most markedly in the industrial sector. Companies are beginning to recognize that, beyond technology, it is people who really drive innovation and growth.
A debate that has spread to other sectors, but in this one, however, the need for the human factor is already becoming evident despite the advances.
In this situation, tools such as MESbook are becoming essential. We are not talking about simple management software; we are talking about platforms that provide the basis for plant managers to analyze all the sensitive points of their processes and act on them.
If we have data, we can act. And in this sense, the merger of both aspects provides everything necessary to do so, because once we have the information, it will be up to each of the people in the different links of the labor chain to take action on the matter.
The importance of MES systems in Industry 5.0
These systems are set to become the cornerstones of industries, providing vital information that helps improve processes, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.
But their most significant value lies in their ability to humanize automation. In other words, they make technology work for the benefit of personnel, not the other way around.
Implementing an MES System in the Industry 5.0 environment means adopting a human-centered approach. It is about understanding that while machines can perform tasks with unmatched precision, it is people who provide the creativity, vision and critical judgment.
It must be taken into account that automations and artificial intelligence work with existing data, but the contribution of employees is essential for all these actions to make sense.
An opportunity to consolidate processes and revitalize teams
This prospect not only represents peace of mind for the workforces, but will also translate into even more significant progress than we have seen to date.
Therefore, the application of Industry 5.0 with the support of tools such as MESbook represents a unique opportunity to enhance the value of the human factor.
It is a clear example of the importance of balancing technological advancement with human contribution. By adopting this new paradigm, factories are not only prepared to face the challenges of the present and the future, but are also paving the way towards a more sustainable, resilient and socially empathetic industry.
If this is also your vision and you would like to try MESbook in your own company, contact us. We will give you all the information you need to make the leap into a new technological era in the sector.
Product Manager and Quality Systems Engineer
José Antonio Nigro
Responsible for the management and maintenance of the ISO 9001:2015 Standard and responsible for external and internal audits.
