We are using tech more now than ever. It has gotten to that point where there is hardly any industry where tech, in some form, is not used. In the health science sector, people are relying on tech for reasons like accuracy, low human involvement, scalability, and ease of automation.
Whether it’s patient-oriented tech like wearable bands and mobile apps or purely research-based tech like apps for literature review, the influences and dependence on tech are obvious.
In fact, the increase in tech involvement has brought forward a new advancement that’s now dubbed the newest industrial revolution or “industry 4.0”. This is based on the boom in technological use and dependency, and sometimes replacement, in the workforce that’s been taking place all over the world.
As such, companies need to ensure they adhere to certain standards that are appropriate to the current business trends. The expected quality standards are being called “Quality 4.0.”
“Quality 4.0” is still in its early stages, and the details have yet to be standardized. However, its direction is pretty clear: using tech for growth and excellence.
What is Quality 4.0?
Quality 4.0 is the quality management system appropriate for the new industry boom. A researcher defined Quality 4.0 as “the blending of traditional quality management practices and techniques with new technologies such as machine learning, cloud technologies, Big-Data, connectivity devices, Internet of Things, and Artificial Intelligence.”
Quality 4.0 is simply the next level of quality management. While quality management was done primarily by humans, we did use some form of technology, such as computers and calculators. However, quality 4.0 takes it a bit further and replaces a lot of manual work with automated processes.
Nevertheless, the goal of Quality 4.0 is not to replace human quality management professionals. Rather, it’s to create a quality management system that is large and efficient enough to control the quality of products and services offered by organizations. Naturally, that entails using more digital tools.
Why is it named “4.0”?
The number 4 refers to the fourth industrial revolution. The first industrial revolution began when people started using machines to produce goods. Since then we have come a long way. In the late 20th century, when computers arrived, the third industrial revolution began. Companies started to use computers for businesses.
Right now, we are seeing the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0. At this stage, more complex technology comes into business and a permanent change in how we work is expected to happen. The revolution has not only affected medical or pharmaceutical products but also changed every industry. For example, Agriculture 4.0, Manufacturing 4.0, etc. are some new terms being coined to refer to the new norm in those respective industries.
Quality 4.0 technologies
Quality 4.0 is all about using the right technology. Knowledge of various new inventions allows you to use the appropriate tools for state-of-the-art quality control. Some of the new tech you should be familiar with are:
- Artificial Intelligence: AI apps see thousands of new users each month these days. As new apps come in every day, people are switching to AI either to automate parts of their work or to organize and plan. AI can work as a personal assistant, brainstorm with you, work as a chat box and image analyzer, for navigation etc. However, new AI-based services are developing each day, so soon we will be able to integrate more AI into our daily work.
- Cloud Computing: Cloud computing services eliminate the need for purchasing onsite data storage, software, and hardware. It allows companies to have access to advanced digital tools online for free or for a small monthly fee.
- Blockchain and Internet Banking: Companies can hire from a much larger talent pool now thanks to international transactions being possible. Technology like blockchain and internet-based banks helps businesses and people by creating freelance and remote work opportunities.
- Machine and Deep Learning: These can help in creating solutions for pattern detection, analysis, product quality check, etc.
All these technologies, in the end, help businesses scale their production without compromising quality.
How to establish and implement Quality 4.0
Implementing Quality 4.0 in a company is not a quick and simple process. It takes time to train your staff, make changes to your organization’s guidelines and processes, create new work protocols, create new standardization methods, etc. Implementing Quality 4.0 is not just using new tools. You have to change how you approach an issue. Just like when we switched from manual to digital a few decades ago, Quality 4.0 implies changing a lot of the work norms.
However, in the long run, it is a necessary change. To implement quality 4.0 effectively, researchers suggest you focus on the following eight steps:
- Managing large data.
- Using better prescriptive analytics
- Implementing vertical, horizontal, and end-to-end integration that works
- Creating better strategy planning
- Thorough training on Quality 4.0
- Proper leadership
- Favorable office culture
- Favorable higher management for Quality 4.0
Using Quality 4.0 is not difficult or complicated at all! It just means learning to use new tools as the world advances around us. Proper training can make quality 4.0 a breeze!
