Digital manufacturing foundations programme 40008

General Manufacturing Sector Analysis: digital technologies across Scotland (trade studies and strategy.
Since 2007 the Scottish Government's central purpose has been to create a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. A digitally connected and skilled nation is a key component to achieving the mutually supportive goals set out in Scotland's Economic Strategy of boosting competitiveness and tackling inequality. Digital is a key driver of economic productivity and innovation, job creation and internationalisation and supports inclusive growth that is broad-based across individuals and cities, regions and rural areas.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) describes IoT applied to demanding industrial environments including modern digital manufacturing where in even the simplest case of retrofitting networked vibration and temperature sensors, it can result in less operational downtime and greater profitability.
The principles of IoT (Internet of Things) and IIoT are the same – sensing and measuring to generate business critical information. In digital manufacturing, IIoT applications might include:
• Integration of sensors in machines and equipment for predictive maintenance
• Remote management of factory units
• Monitoring production lines in real time, from the beginning of the process through to packaging and distribution
• Smart wearables to enhance employee health and safety, such as smart hardhats that detect risk
• Connecting the production line to the supply chain and the customer to deliver demand-led manufacturing.
IIoT is an important part of Industry 4.0, and one of the different layers of new ‘cyber-physical’ technologies that – in addition to connected networks of software and information and communications technology – is helping to deliver the ‘fourth industrial revolution’

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy declared that modernisation, in particular embracing digital transformation and low carbon production, will be key to the future. First and foremost, these changes will boost companies’ productivity and profitability, but they will also put the manufacturing sector at the heart of a global green recovery. The sector will help Scotland meet its target of generating net zero emissions by 2045 and increase its international competitiveness by making the country a more attractive place for trade and investment.