The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced its intent to help Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and startups in adopting new and emerging Industry 4.0 technologies. The association has called for an “Industry 4.0 a baseline Survey among MSMEs” to understand the challenges being faced by MSMEs and startups when it comes to the adoption and utilisation of new age technologies.
The survey, DoT says, is aligned with the broader vision of fostering digital transformation and preparing industries for the advent of 5G and 6G technologies. The survey aims to establish a solid foundation for a thriving ecosystem that leverages the capabilities of artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, cloud computing, and the integration of 5G and 6G networks. This initiative will identify the specific needs and preferences of at least 10 sectors, acknowledging the diverse landscape of MSMEs and providing tailored support to promote innovation and competitiveness.
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Over a 60-day period, the survey will cover five sectors each in the northern and southern regions of India. The key findings will serve as the basis for policy interventions aimed at achieving the transformative adoption of Industry 4.0, thereby enhancing the competitive positioning and sustainability of MSMEs.
What the DoT Initiative for MSMEs and Startups Involves
The manufacturing industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the emergence of Industry 4.0, a concept that integrates advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing to enhance efficiency, productivity, processes, strategy, and competitiveness. As the Indian manufacturing sector continues to evolve, assessing its current state of readiness for Industry 4.0 is essential to identify areas of improvement and prioritize investments strategically. The survey aims to understand the challenges faced by MSMEs in adapting to Industry 4.0 and utilizing advanced technologies.
In the same vein, Telecom Centre of Excellence India (TCOE) on behalf of DoT, is calling for proposals from organizations and startups to develop a comprehensive Industry 4.0 baseline survey for the MSME sector in India. This initiative aims to focus on the digital transformation through 5G technologies and its impact on the sector. Some of the important aspects of the survey include:
- Survey Design: Create a comprehensive survey to assess Industry 4.0 adoption among MSMEs in India.
- Data Collection: Gather primary data through online and offline surveys, interviews, or other methods.
- Data Analysis: Analyze the collected data to identify trends, patterns, and insights.
- Report Generation: Produce a detailed report highlighting the findings, recommendations, and implications for the MSME sector.
- Policy Recommendations: Include policy recommendations in the survey report that support the implementation of the baseline survey findings. These recommendations should aim to enhance the overall efficiency of the MSME sector, enabling increased production at minimal or no additional cost to the businesses.
- Initial Sectors of Focus: The agency may choose sectors for the survey with prior information submitted to TCoE.
Through the survey, DoT aims at identifying sector-specific needs in at least 10 sectors and preferences, recognizing the diverse landscape of MSMEs, and providing targeted support to foster innovation and competitiveness. Furthermore, the survey will not only address immediate barriers to digital transformation but also pave the way for the cyber-physical system through the seamless integration of appropriate sensors using 5G/6G technologies, ultimately driving sustainable growth across sectors.
MSMEs and startups interested in participating in this transformative project has been encouraged by DoT to submit their proposals, outlining their approach to designing, collecting, analyzing, and reporting the survey data. The final report will be instrumental in guiding policy interventions and strategic investments to bolster the competitiveness and sustainability of the MSME sector in India. The proposal including both the technical and financial aspects may be sent by email to neetu@tcoe.in cc pankaj@tcoe.in before 11 June.
