Review of Industry Digitalisation
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Discussion is heating up in the UK digital space as industry looks to identify how it can bring about a step-change in digital uptake in manufacture and construction. The Review of Industry Digitalisation interim report sets out its early findings and emerging recommendations to government.
It is widely acknowledged that potential productivity gains for UK industry from increased digitalisation are significant. Productivity in the global infrastructure sector has remained static at 1% for the past 20 years. A technological step-change is required to break the low productivity cycle.
A recent study, published in January 2017, identified that by fully applying industrial digital technologies over the next decade UK industrial production would be up to 30% faster and 25% more efficient.
Automation, AI, real-time monitoring and predicative maintenance can help to realise considerable efficiencies and reinforce the UK’s standing as a world leader in smart infrastructure and digital delivery.
[edit] The Modern Industrial Strategy green paper
The UK Government recognised this opportunity in its Modern Industrial Strategy green paper, spawning a Review of Industry Digitalisation, which is due to report later this year. The review cuts across a range of manufacturing sectors where there are identified opportunities for productivity gains – including construction.
The review’s interim report, published in July 2017, identified opportunities and barriers to UK industries engaging with digitalisation.
Emerging recommendations from the review to address these challenges include:
- Focused leadership required to support industrial digitalisation.
- Stronger marketing of the UK’s digital ambitions both at home and abroad.
- A Digital Technology Institute and a Digital Technology Network to support a strong ecosystem.
- Identify institutions well placed to lead on each technology.
- Rapid digital adoption required among SMEs.
- Visible institutes to make SME uptake easier.
- Develop a range of tools specifically to support SMEs.
- A more systemic approach to digital engineering skills.
- Innovation assets required to support start up and upscaling.
- Provide an environment to rapidly incubate and mature product offerings.
- Educate financers about the potential returns from supporting investment.
- Promote industry support to enable rapid upscaling of sectoral products.
[edit] Implication for infrastructure
While the focus of the review is on manufacture the barriers, opportunities and emerging recommendations are applicable across a host of sectors – including infrastructure.
Realising digitalisation through the whole life of infrastructure assets, beyond construction, has the potential to create efficiencies and deliver far greater benefits for the ultimate client, the public.
ICE has explored these themes through State of the Nation 2017: Digital Transformation, the Infrastructure Client Group’s Project 13, and our ongoing Digital Transformation campaign.
This article was originally published here by ICE on 19 July 2017. It was written by Kelly Forbes, ICE Policy Manager.
--The Institution of Civil Engineers
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Articles by ICE on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BREEAM: The Next Generation.
- Digital Built Britain.
- Digital Construction Week 2021.
- Digitisation.
- Government Construction Strategy.
- How to make the digital revolution a success.
- Interview with Su Butcher, Director, Just Practising Limited.
- The future of the built environment in a revolutionary age.
- The readiness of UK companies to adopt new digital technologies.
- Top 4 challenges facing the construction industry.
Featured articles and news
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
The nature of EPCs, crticism and inaccuracies.
History, issues and redesign.
From waste recycling to energy performance the hierchy.
An introduction to WERCS and WEEE responsibilities
Dealing with 2 million tonnes of waste equipment a year.
Global BACS Market: analytics and optimisation
A BSRIA glance at building automation and control systems.
What it is and how to use it.
Types of insulating plaster by binder and insulant.
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.