Published Paper Details:

The fourth industrial revolution and its Industry 4.0 or connected industry technologies dominate the current production research discussion. Digital developments like cyber-physical Systems are the key technologies for future, more agile production systems, but a common understanding of the term Industry 4.0 is not established now. First generic implementation approaches present manifold technical solutions but need to be integrated with existing Lean Production Systems. The actual impact of Industry 4.0 solutions is mostly not specified, and a method to evaluate is missing. This paper introduces Industry 4.0 in an environment of connectivity in the Internet of Things and Services with the vision of a smart factory. Lean Production Systems and Lean Principles characterize the initial situation of industrial companies. Industry 4.0 offers an estimated benefit for companies by stabilizing Lean processes with Industry 4.0 applications. To support the development process the presented Concept of an Industry 4.0 impact matrix on lean production systems gives a useable framework. The matrix considers elements of lean production systems with Industry 4.0 technologies and estimates impact first. In the described development process of a cyber-physical Just-in-Time delivery, the matrix is used to find a stabilizing application for a Just-in-Time material supply process.