The world progresses toward Industry 4.0 and manufacturers are challenged to successfully
navigate this unique digital journey. To some digitalization is a golden opportunity to
others it is a necessary evil. But to optimist and pessimist alike there is a widespread
puzzlement over the practical details of digitalization. To many manufacturers digital
transformation is a vague and confusing concept they nevertheless must grapple with in order to
survive the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The proliferation of digital manufacturing
technologies adds to the confusion leaving many manufacturers perplexed and unprepared with
little real insight into how emerging technologies can help them sustain a competitive edge in
their markets. This book effectively conveys Siemens's knowledge and experience through a
concept called Smart Digital Manufacturing a stepwise approach to realizing the promise of the
Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Smart Digital Manufacturing roadmap provides guidance and
enables low-risk high-reward adoption of new manufacturing software technologies through a
series of tipping-point investment decisions that result in optimized manufacturing
performance. The book provides readers with a clear understanding of what digital technology
has to offer them and how and when to invest in these essential components of tomorrow?s
factories. René Wolf is Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Operations Management Software
for Siemens Digital Industries Software a business unit of the Siemens Digital Factory
Division. Raffaello Lepratti is Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for
Siemens Digital Industries Software.
