The term Smart Factory is at home in the fields of industry and Industry 4.0, automation and the Internet of Things. A Smart Factory, or „intelligent factory“ in German, refers to production facilities where machines, equipment, and systems are digitally networked with each other and operate largely automatically.
The use of modern sensors, software and data analysis in a smart factory allows production processes to be monitored and controlled almost in real-time. The goal: to produce faster, more flexibly and more efficiently – while making fewer mistakes or wasting resources.
A vivid example: In a classic factory, machines are mostly operated or adjusted manually. In a smart factory, machines communicate directly with each other. For instance, if a component is missing, the system independently orders a replacement or adjusts the production plan. This relieves the burden on employees, allowing them to concentrate on more demanding tasks.
The Smart Factory forms the core of modern industry and is an important step towards the future because it helps to save costs, increase quality, and respond more quickly to customer wishes. Companies that rely on this technology gain a decisive competitive advantage.
Deutsch 
English (UK)