Industry 4.0: Smart Factory Solution Seminar by Taiwan Excellence, Taiwan Expo 2019

During the Taiwan Expo 2019 that was held in Setia SPICE Convention Centre on 5th to 6th July 2019, I managed to attend one of the seminar organised by the Taiwan Excellence, the "Industry 4.0: SMart Factory Solution" seminar, which also in conjunction with the existing products on display.

The seminar objective is to share Taiwanese experience in this area with Malaysian counterparts.

Speakers include representatives from renowned Industry 4.0 manufacturers Advantech, Hiwin and Nexcom as they touched on topics of co- creation models, smart machinery and their Internet of Things. The seminar was well received by the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Penang Foundry & Engineering Industries Association (PENFEIA).

According to Mr Richard Teh, President of PENFEIA, the Malaysian government has envisions to embrace Industry 4.0 but they acknowledges that it is not an easy trust as many local Malaysian SMEs find the move a daunting task as they are unsure where to begin.

That is why many of Malaysian SME will ask:-
1. Why Internet of Things (IOT)?
2. Where we are now with IOT?
3. How do we start?
4. What do we want to achieve?
5. What is the cost and is it expensive?
6. What is the return on ROI?

This is where PENFEIA takes its role in Industry 4.0 by creating a link between Government Agency, Suppliers, Training Platform and understanding of Industry 4.0 to our members for them to embrace Industry 4.0.

Adress by Mr Raja Rizal Kamrul Abdullah, VP of Penang Malay Chamber of Commerce

Industrial evolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) is a convergence of three main technologies, which is operational technology (i.e machines), information technology (i.e communication, online database) and finance technology, according to Mr Raja Rizal Kamrul Abdullah. Before the IR4.0, these technologies work independently but under IR4.0 they should work together.

Stated that the SMI and SME will be affected, he also acknowledged that it would be challenging for them to upgrade the machineries. However, Mr Raja Rizal also want SMI and SME to remember, aa quoted, "IR 4.0 is a journey, not a destination."

Sharing on "The Challenges of SME/SMI in Implementing Industry 4.0 in Malaysia" by Mr Tony Lau from Ventnore Industry Sdn Bhd

Mr Tony Lau from Ventnor Industry Sdn Bhd shared with the audience on The Challenges of SME/SMI in Implementing Industry 4.0 in Malaysia. He mentioned in his presentation that most SME are interested to make money, to change or upgrade themselves but do not know what to do to sustain with most SMEs are still at the Industry 2.0 stage.

Sharing on "Co-creating the Future of the IoT World with Advantech" by Mr Ivan Kong from Advantech Malaysia.

Overall, Industry 4.0 is the future of manufacturing and leapfrog production capability through integration of the Internet of Things, industrial processes, logistic and sales. Taiwan’s advanced information and communication technologies and precision machinery expertise gave it a huge advantage in this revolution and many SMEs in Taiwan have already transformed themselves into smart factories way before government policies were put in place to encourage such a move. As a result of the pioneering move, Taiwanese manufacturers are leading the pack to this revolution in the global sphere.

I can say I gain a lot of new knowledge and information during the seminar. I know most manufacturing companies representatives would feel the same. Glad that I got to attend this seminar!