What is Industry 4.0 and How Does It Affect You?

So, what exactly is Industry 4.0? 

“Industry 4.0 refers to a new phase in the Industrial Revolution that focuses heavily on interconnectivity, automation, machine learning, and real-time data.”1  

What does that mean? It means that automation and technology have become the standards in how most of the working world does their jobs. That includes everyone: teachers, manufacturers, managers, editors, videographers, etc. And it absolutely includes recruiters and staffing companies.

While manufacturers may use automated machines, they need skilled workers to ensure those machines operate correctly. Not only do these new technologies help business, but they can also help recruitment and staffing to find the most qualified candidates more efficiently.  

While the labor shortage is still a significant issue, we are all working together to ensure we provide our clients the skilled, dedicated workers they need. But just how do we do this efficiently and effectively? Through Emerging Technologies available to us due to Industry 4.0. 

Emerging Technology

Emerging technology is an umbrella term that refers to anything that can be used to improve upon a previously available technology. To be reductive – a new way of doing things that works better. 

The Industrial Internet of Things 

The phrase the “Industrial Internet of Things” is a phrase used to describe the interconnectivity of all things. One iPhone being near another iPhone can allow two or more people to airdrop photos, files, passwords, etc., to each other. This is a great example of emerging technology.  

How can this interconnectivity help the Staffing and Recruitment worlds? Recruiters can easily share documents via cloud-based systems with companies who are hiring and vice versa. You don’t have to send an email every time you need to send a document; the recruiter/hiring manager checks the cloud and has the information they need at their fingertips.  

How does it improve retention? By allowing recruiters and staffing companies to easily communicate to candidates and employees, we are able to minimize miscommunication and progress improvement and advancement routes for employees. 

Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality

Another way emerging technology is improving the recruitment and hiring is by using Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality. Artificial Intelligence can help a recruiter sort through unqualified applicants and/or incomplete applications, saving the recruiter countless hours of filing. Augmented Reality can ensure that, once the recruiter has found a suitable candidate, they can interview, hire, and on-board them. They can take the candidate through simulated exercises of what they will find in the workplace once they go to work, ensuring safety standards are upheld.

How Can It Benefit Your Company?

The integration of cloud-based computing and analytics (The Industrial Internet of Things), Virtual Staffing, Artificial Intelligence, and Augmented Reality can all decrease both the turnover rates and financial output of staffing in manufacturing. By using a Staffing Service that integrates the emerging technologies introduced by Industry 4.0, you are essentially cutting out the potential of risk, both financially and in terms of personnel. Bear Staffing will find what your company needs while mitigating risk, lowering turnover, and decreasing overall cost.  

Looking for an employee?

(1--Epicor)