Industry is experiencing a new phase of the industrial revolution. After years of advances focused on automation, data and efficiency, manufacturing companies are now facing a paradigm shift: Industry 5.0. This new model does not replace Industry 4.0, but rather extends it, incorporating a more human, sustainable and resilient approach.
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In this context, the smart factory ceases to be just a highly automated environment and becomes an ecosystem where people, machines and digital systems collaborate intelligently. The key to making this transition possible lies in the digital transformation of production processes and, especially, in the role of MES systems, which act as the operational brain of the plant.
To understand what Industry 5.0 is, it is important to start from its predecessor. Industry 4.0 focused on intelligent automation, connectivity and the massive use of data to optimise production. Industry 5.0 goes a step further: it introduces human-machine collaboration as the backbone, combining the precision of technology with human creativity, expertise and decision-making capacity.
Industry 5.0 rests on three fundamental pillars:
The difference between Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 lies mainly in the approach. While 4.0 prioritises automation and efficiency, 5.0 adds value through customisation, labour welfare and business resilience. It is not about producing more, but about producing better.
Industrial artificial intelligence is one of the major drivers of Industry 5.0. Unlike purely automated models, collaborative AI assists operators in making decisions, anticipates problems and proposes improvements in real time.
Collaborative robots(cobots) work alongside people, adapting to their pace and reducing occupational risks. Combined with augmented reality technologies, they improve training, maintenance and process quality.
Industrial IoT (IIoT) connects machines, sensors and systems, generating key data to optimise production. This connectivity is essential to achieve a truly smart factory.
In this technology ecosystem, MES systems become the operational core. They are the layer that connects the physical world of the plant with digital systems, facilitating process digitisation and data-driven decision making.
MES systems play a strategic role in the adoption of Industry 5.0 software, as they make it possible to integrate people, data and machines in a single, coherent environment.
A modern MES integrates natively with ERP systems, SCADA platforms and IIoT solutions, eliminating information silos and ensuring a unified view of production.
Thanks to advanced analytics, the MES offers full traceability, real-time control and predictive capabilities that improve operational efficiency and reduce waste.
Overtel case: MES INEXION
INEXION, developed by Overtel, is an example of how an MES system can drive the transition to Industry 5.0. Designed for efficient and sustainable digitisation, INEXION connects processes, people and technology, facilitating a progressive transformation aligned with business objectives.
Industry 5.0 represents a unique opportunity to transform the smart factory into a more humane, sustainable and resilient environment. With INEXION, industrial companies can connect people, processes and data to make the final leap into the new industrial era. Get in touch with us.