Evaluation of the Level and Readiness of Internal Logistics for Industry 4.0 in Industrial Companies

Abstract

Industry 4.0 integrates modern technologies into independently functioning units and fundamentally changes established production and non-production processes. Industry 4.0 is also used in the field of logistics with the introduction of automation, robotics or modern warehouse systems with a key element of digitisation. Development based on these principles presents huge challenges for the logistics sector as well as opportunities for further growth. Because the field of logistics is very large, it is important to be more specific. Internal logistics is a very important part of production processes; areas such as storage and supply of production lines with input materials are some of the key processes in a company. The implementation of Industry 4.0 principles is specific and, for many companies, demanding technologically, organisationally and financially. Therefore, companies must know their current level of logistics processes and evaluate the readiness of these elements for automation and digitisation. The company’s management should create a strategy which evaluates internal logistics processes for Industry 4.0. Company readiness will be evaluated on the basis of the tools (methodology) presented in the article. An objective assessment with a multi-level system is needed, and therefore internal logistics is structured into sub-areas. The implementation of this innovative method of evaluation in the industrial environment and a description of the tool development process will also be presented. As these are extensive issues, the initial sections cover the theoretical background of the topics that justify the need and novelty of this tool.