| | AUGUST 202519Ashish Thakur, CIO, Cummins India DRIVING INNOVATION IN MANUFACTURING WITH SMART TECHHow can smart manufacturing technologies reshape traditional factory models in developing economies? What are the key cultural and organizational shifts needed to embrace Industry 4.0 fully?Smart manufacturing technologies have the potential to radically transform traditional factory models in developing economies by leveraging innovations like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and augmented reality. These technologies enable real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and process automation, significantly reducing downtime, increasing productivity, and improving resource efficiency. For developing economies, adopting such technologies not only fosters global competitiveness but also aligns manufacturing with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, which are increasingly critical for market sustainability. However, to fully embrace Industry 4.0, cultural and organizational shifts are vital.Organizations must cultivate a technology-first mindset and embed continuous digital upskilling and learning across all levels of the workforce. Collaboration between traditionally siloed functions is necessary to drive innovation and operational agility. A shift toward data-driven decision-making is essential, allowing businesses to harness the full value of advanced analytics and smart systems. Furthermore, fostering adaptability and a growth mindset within leadership and teams will help overcome resistance to change. These cultural transformations, coupled with smart manufacturing, can modernize industries, boost operational resilience, and contribute to sustainable economic growth, enabling developing economies to compete effectively in an increasingly interconnected global marketplace.Is "smart" always better? Where should manufacturers draw the line between automation and human expertise? Which smart technologies - AI, IoT, digital twins, or edge computing - are proving most transformative in real-world manufacturing settings?While "smart" technologies like AI, IoT, digital twins, and edge computing have transformed manufacturing by enhancing efficiency, precision, and scalability, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Digitization for the sake of digitization or misapplication can lead to high costs, loss of human expertise, and over-reliance Ashish Thakur, CIO, Cummins India, in an interaction with CIOTechOutlook, shared his insights on how MSMEs can adopt smart technologies without massive capital investment. He discussed how Indian manufacturers can foster in-house innovation while staying globally competitive.Bringing over 17 years of extensive industry experience, Ashish has a proven track record in driving business growth through technology advancements, digitalization and strategic leadership, particularly in developing digital strategies for sales, service, commercial and manufacturing functions. Since joining Cummins India in 2018, Ashish has led the IT function for the Distribution Business Unit (DBU) and New and Recon Parts (NRP) business.CXO INSIGHTSAshish Thakur, CIO
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