Big data has revolutionised production processes in all industrial sectors, but some have been slower than others to understand the potential of what is now considered the most precious resource in the world. Here Neil Ballinger, head of EMEA at automation parts supplier EU Automation, delves deeper into how big data is revolutionising three historically low-tech sectors.
Big data has already transformed a variety of sectors, ushering them into the era of Industry 4.0. However, some of the largest and most essential sectors have been more hesitant than others to embrace the big data revolution.
These are notoriously low-tech sectors, where the scarce implementation of technology is due either to a heavy reliance on manual labour, or to excessive red tape and complex bureaucracy. However, it is precisely in low-tech sectors that big data can be truly disruptive.
Healthcare
Many inefficiencies plague the sector, from understaffed hospitals, to difficulties in gathering a patient’s full medical history. All of these could be effectively tackled with big data.
For example, the widespread adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) would allow doctors to immediately access a patient’s history, including allergies, laboratory test results, medicines they’re taking and much more.
Records are shared via a secure link, accessible to professionals in both the private and public sector. Each medical practitioner can add to the patient’s medical record, with no paperwork and no risk of losing information. This saves the cost of unnecessary tests and leads to faster and more accurate diagnosis.
EHRs are still not commonly used in Europe, although the EU recently proposed a plan to make patients’ medical records electronically available to doctors across the EU, facilitating healthcare across borders.
EHRs are not the only example of how big data could revolutionise healthcare. For example, historical data could be used to predict how many patients are expected at a hospital at a given time, and shifts could be organised accordingly.
Construction
On average, 35 per cent of costs in a construction project are due to material waste and remedial work. Poor project planning and lack of data often lead to costly mistakes, but in spite of this, the sector still lags behind in the adoption of digital technologies that could leverage the potential of big data.
For example, data driven predictive modelling tools could allow all stakeholders to see, at a glance, how small changes might influence the costs and end results of a given project.
With traditional methods, the smallest changes might mean months of delayed communications between architects, engineers, contractors and investors, while digital tools provide immediate feedback.
This can improve communication among stakeholders, provide more accurate pricing, and allow contractors to avoid mistakes in the construction phase, saving time and material.
Agriculture
Agriculture has historically relied on manual labour and traditional methods. However, with an ever-increasing global population to feed, the sector could massively benefit from the insight provided by big data.
Data from soil sensors, drones, GPS-equipped tractors and combine harvesters, could all be used to assess soil conditions and help establish the most suited crops. This data can be combined with information from external sources, such a weather forecasts, to determine the best moment to sow, fertilise and harvest.
Information from big data could also help farmers cope with the uncertainties of climate change and other environmental challenges. It could also provide unprecedented visibility into their processes, helping them manage valuable resources such water, fertiliser and pesticides, which could be used only where needed. For these reasons, Markets and Markets expects that the global market for agriculture analytics will boom in size, reaching USD 1,236 million by 2023.
Traditionally low-tech sectors such as healthcare, construction and agriculture have been slow to reap the benefits of big data. However, it is precisely in low-tech sectors that big data can have the biggest impact.
For more information on how big data is revolutionising manufacturing, visit EU Automation’s Knowledge Hub.
