Season 2: Episode 1: Jeff Winter on Industry 4.0: Driving ROI and Tomorrow’s Factories

WatchInterview

Mar 5

In this conversation, Jeff Winter, Vice President of Business Strategy at Critical Manufacturing, discusses the evolving landscape of manufacturing in the context of Industry 4.0 and digital transformation. He highlights key trends, misconceptions about digital transformation, and the importance of balancing visionary goals with practical steps. Jeff emphasizes the role of AI and IoT in modern manufacturing, the challenges companies face in implementing these technologies, and the significance of effective communication and collaboration across departments. He also shares insights on measuring ROI and the future potential of knowledge graphs in decision-making.

Questions Jeff answers in this episode:

Could you share the key Industry 4.0 trends you see making the most impact on manufacturing in the next 3-5 years?
In your experience, what are some of the biggest misconceptions about digital transformation in manufacturing, and how do you help manufacturers overcome these?
You talk about both the 'Art of the Possible' and the 'Art of the Practical.' How do you balance visionary goals with real-world constraints when advising companies on their IoT journeys?
What criteria or indicators do you typically consider when helping a manufacturer assess their readiness for digital transformation?
What are the most common roadblocks manufacturers face when adopting IoT and AI technologies, and how do you recommend they overcome these challenges?
In what ways do you see IoT and AI converging to drive innovation in manufacturing? Are there any specific use cases that exemplify this?
How do you help companies measure ROI on their IoT investments, particularly when benefits may be long-term or difficult to quantify?
You’ve watched the conversation around Industry 4.0 evolve over the years. What shifts have you noticed in how leaders talk about digital transformation now versus, say, five years ago?
From the C-suite to the production line, different groups need different things from a transformation story. What communication strategies have you seen work best to get everyone on board and engaged?
No transformation works in a silo. How do you bring together operations, IT, and other functions so they’re all pulling in the same direction?
When leadership truly backs a project, things tend to go better. In your experience, what helps executives not just approve an initiative, but really champion it?
As you look to the future, what are you personally excited about in manufacturing? Any emerging technologies or approaches that make you think, ‘This is going to be a game-changer’?