Industry 4.0: The Real Revolution Lies in Business Models

“At Bosch, we’re not just making connected industry a reality, it already is – and its future is bright around the world.”

— Werner Struth, Bosch Board Member

These remarks came at this year’s CeBIT in Hannover, where Bosch showcased its dual role as both supplier and user of connected‑industry technology. As a global manufacturer of consumer and capital goods, Bosch brings a rare combination of operational expertise and technological know‑how to the emerging Industry 4.0 landscape.

Key Facts

• Bosch is running roughly 50 connected‑industry pilot projects worldwide.
• We have embedded connected‑industry capabilities in our own plants, including standardized data exchange across suppliers.
• Our 260+ facilities span everything from mass production of automotive components to bespoke packaging machinery.
• We provide both software and hardware solutions that enable end‑to‑end connected‑industry applications.

Business Models as the True Differentiator

“In what people are calling the fourth industrial revolution, the real revolution will be in new business models.”

— Werner Struth

While technical enablers—such as RFID‑based data capture, web‑enabled sensors, and advanced data mining—continue to mature, the next frontier is creating tangible value through innovative business models.

Centralised Coordination, Decentralised Innovation

Bosch’s approach blends a global coordinating body with local autonomy. This dual structure allows individual units to tailor use‑cases to their specific needs while a central hub guarantees a unified software and hardware architecture.

“Working in this way lets us realise economies of scale in knowledge growth. The exploratory approach fuels new, inspiring, and innovative solutions,” says Struth.

From a customer perspective, the focus is on defining technical standards that enable rapid system configuration and, equally important, robust security protocols.