my country is still a developing country, still in the process of industrialization, backward and advanced coexist, traditional and modern coexist, we need to actively explore the path of industrialization with Chinese characteristics: the combination of upgrading traditional industries and cultivating emerging industries; combining traditional handicrafts with advanced manufacturing ; The first industrialization is combined with the second industrialization; the informationization and industrialization are combined.

German Industry 4.0 has a major impact on the world, marking the world's accelerated and comprehensive entry into the era of intelligent economy with intelligent manufacturing as the core. German Industry 4.0 and the more popular third industrial revolution in the United States and the fifth industrial revolution that some scholars say are based on revolutionary breakthroughs in information technology, reflecting the digitalization, informatization, intelligence, The development trend of networking. This article focuses on analyzing the main features of Germany's Industry 4.0 strategy, comparing Made in China 2025, and drawing some important inspirations.

Main features of German Industry 4.0

German Industry 4.0 can be summarized as: one core, two key points, three major integrations, four characteristics and six measures. A core: Internet + manufacturing industry, the cyber-physical fusion system (CPS) is widely and deeply applied to the manufacturing industry to build intelligent factories and realize intelligent manufacturing. Two priorities: leading supplier strategy, becoming the main supplier of "smart production" equipment; leading market strategy, designing and implementing a comprehensive set of knowledge and technology transformation programs to lead market development. Three major integrations: flexible and recombinable vertical integration within enterprises, horizontal integration of value chains between enterprises, and end-to-end engineering digital integration of the entire social value chain. Four characteristics: adjustable production, self-adjusting to respond to different situations; product identifiable, can distinguish products at any time; flexible demand, can change design, construction, planning, production and operation according to temporary demand changes , and there is still room for profit; fourth, the process can be monitored, and the entire process of the business model can be monitored in real time. Six measures: Realize technical standardization and a reference system of open standards; establish a complex model management system; establish a comprehensive industrial broadband infrastructure; establish security mechanisms and regulations; innovate work organization and design methods; educate.

Comparing German Industry 4.0 in the global scope and historical background, it can be seen that German Industry 4.0 has the following five important characteristics.

1.Fundamental. It is related to Germany's overall development strategy, giving play to its advantages and responding to overall challenges. Germany is a country that attaches great importance to development strategy planning, especially since the beginning of the 21st century, it has been striving to establish an inter-departmental high-tech strategic coordination mechanism and formulate Germany's national strategy for innovation and development. year 2006. The German government has formulated a "high-tech strategy". In July 2010, the report "Germany 2020 High-Tech Strategy" was released. It is of extraordinary significance and fully demonstrates the fundamental role of German manufacturing in Germany's overall development strategy. Industry 4.0 helps to promote the industry-research alliance to aim at medium and long-term scientific and technological development goals, formulate specific innovation strategies and implementation roadmaps, and ensure the leading and dominant position of German manufacturing, which is the basic strategy for maintaining Germany's sustainable development.

2. Strategic. It is related to the competition in the international community and seeks different strategies in the strategic thinking of the international closeness. Accelerating the development of advanced manufacturing is not only highly valued by Germany, but also by other countries. In fact, as early as 2006, the National Science Foundation (NSF) identified CPS systems as a key research area. In March 2011, the European Union announced the "Europe 2020 Strategy", which proposed a budget of 80 billion euros, making it the largest R&D funding plan in the world. Japan has also proposed a similar "industrial intelligence" strategy, focusing on the development of artificial intelligence, service robots and other industries. Germany is well aware of its unfavorable situation in the competition in recent years and faces great pressure. Faced with the competitive situation, Germany has adopted an inclusive, open and strategic strategy, cooperating in competition and competing in cooperation. Germany has formulated a leading supplier strategy and a leading market strategy for Industry 4.0, focusing on connecting products with appropriate services and focusing on developing new business models. This is worth learning from.

3. Innovation. It is related to the history of industrial development and organically combines accumulation, inheritance and innovation to form high-level innovation. On the one hand, full consideration is given to learning from the early stages of industrialization and inheriting and developing the core values of the existing industry. In Germany, information and communication technology (ICT) in general still supports 90% of industrial manufacturing processes today. Therefore, Industry 4.0 attaches great importance to the traditional advantages of traditional industries and research fields. On the other hand, German Industry 4.0 combines all the factors and resources in the manufacturing field into a brand-new social service and real-time security platform through the CBS system, which reflects the deep innovation. Germany's "Industry 4.0" is a "re-industrialization" strategy. However, unlike the "re-industrialization" of the United States and Japan, the core of Germany's "Industry 4.0" lies in the use of the Internet, the Internet of Things and modular technology to realize the transformation of industrial production methods, and fundamentally change the traditional industries due to geographical location. The phenomenon of disjointed R&D makes the R&D and upgrading of industrial production technology no longer rely on physical contact, so that Germany can continue to enjoy the advantages of global production while maintaining its own technological advantages in R&D. Through new concepts, new strategies, and new technologies, Germany has pushed informatization to a stage of qualitative change, and promoted a new industrial revolution characterized by intelligent manufacturing, the Internet, new energy, new materials, and modern biology. This is very clever.

4. Forward-looking. It is related to future trends, correctly judges the current situation and future trends, and reflects the law of development of things. Industry 4.0 is a long-term development strategy; smart economy and smart world are medium and long-term development goals. Between reality and medium and long-term goals, on the one hand, Germany pays special attention to giving full play to its own advantages, and provides a multi-level and multi-perspective perspective and description of smart factories, which not only reflects operability, but also reflects forward-looking, in order to correctly choose strategic priorities, Take extraordinary measures to provide a theoretical and practical basis. On the other hand, Germany puts the realization of technical standardization as the highest priority, and preemptively formulates industry standards in an attempt to continue to occupy the commanding heights of the global manufacturing industry. In addition to obtaining practical economic benefits, it is more important to create a long-term advantage of German manufacturing. condition.

5. Marketability. Related to market development needs, adapt to the market, build the market, lead the market, and occupy the commanding heights of the market. Germany regards smart factories as part of the intelligent world, drives "social intelligence" with "industrial intelligence", and provides a new generation of network infrastructure, advanced communication technology, intelligent control system design, and "big data" for "social intelligence". Various types of software and hardware such as analytical methods, transform mature "industrial solutions" into "social service solutions", promote applications in different regions and fields, and build new market space. In the process of building the market, Germany has especially established CBS technology and products as the leading market, designing series of intelligent products according to the needs of different consumers, building an intelligent society, and establishing new business opportunities and models. Market value.

2025 vs 4.0

In 2015, on the basis of analyzing domestic and foreign markets, China followed the objective laws of industrial upgrading and transformation, compiled a medium and long-term ten-year plan, promulgated Made in China 2025, and identified ten key industries, including strategic emerging industries, advanced manufacturing industry, other traditional industries related to the national economy and people's livelihood, as well as the corresponding supply chain and sales network. Its main line is the deep integration of the two industrializations, the main direction is to promote intelligent manufacturing, and the main form is Internet+. "Made in China 2025" and Germany's "Industry 4.0" are both important strategic measures for the development of the manufacturing industry in the context of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Comparing the two strategies, it can be seen that each has its own characteristics. In addition to the different technical and industrial bases, there are also obvious differences in strategic thinking and other aspects. German Industry 4.0 has drawn a detailed blueprint for the development of German industry, reflecting the conscientiousness and rigor unique to the German nation. There are many things worth learning and referring to in terms of strategic thinking, basic research, technical education, policy institutions and measures.

1. Differences in strategic thinking

Comparing German Industry 4.0 with Made in China 2025, an important difference is that the German Industry 4.0 strategy is a revolutionary fundamental science and technology strategy. Its foothold is not simply to improve certain industrial manufacturing technologies, but to change from the most basic level of manufacturing methods, so as to achieve a qualitative leap in the development of the entire industry. Therefore, the core content of Germany's Industry 4.0 strategy is not limited to "quantitative changes" at the level of industrial output data, but pays more attention to "qualitative changes" in industrial production methods. Compared with German Industry 4.0, "Made in China 2025" emphasizes on the existing industrial manufacturing level and technology, through the application of "Internet +" tools, to achieve structural changes and increase in output. This difference is like "Made in China 2025", which seeks improvement and development within the current stage of the industry and thinking mode, while Germany seeks to leap from the stage of Industry 3.0 to the stage of Industry 4.0 to achieve "qualitative change". This difference in strategic thinking should be said to be a reflection of objective conditions and in line with the basis of reality, but it also shows that Made in China 2025 lacks strategic theoretical depth and technical height, and lacks market appeal and influence.

2. Differences in strategic basis

The strategic foundation includes basic research, technical education, personnel training, etc., which are the basic conditions for the successful implementation of the strategy. A careful study of "German Industry 4.0" shows that the most important factor in this strategy is basic scientific research. Many detailed tasks and goals are based on "high, refined and sophisticated" theoretical knowledge. Committed to improving the conditions for basic scientific research in Germany and improving the ability of scientific research and innovation. In contrast, the research of basic disciplines in China is relatively weak, and the ability of scientific research and innovation is not strong, so it is difficult to make major breakthroughs. The fundamental reason, in addition to the historical basic conditions, also has policy factors. In terms of policy support, China's horizontal research is much larger than vertical research in terms of number and support, resulting in China's strong applied research field and weak theoretical basis research. China also lacks the experience and conditions to develop internationalized industry standards. Therefore, it is necessary for us to vigorously strengthen basic research. At the same time, it is also necessary for us to adopt an open cooperation policy, actively become an important accessor of advanced networked theories and advanced standard systems, actively carry out international cooperation, and share theories, technologies and markets with developed countries including Germany.

3. Differences in strategic measures

In terms of supporting policies, in order to effectively implement Industry 4.0, Germany pays more attention to the evaluation and adjustment of technology, policy and environment. For example, Germany systematically evaluates the possible disruptive impact of new technologies on relevant laws, and the shortened innovation cycle may lead to frequent updates of relevant rules and structures, etc., and timely revises existing rules and regulations that are not conducive to development. Germany attaches great importance to building a legal environment that supports Industry 4.0, and timely adjusts laws and regulations related to corporate responsibility, data protection, trade restrictions, password systems, etc., cultivates the national awareness of competition, and attaches more importance to reflection and self-adjustment. This is worth learning from.

In terms of coordination agencies, Germany has established a unified government coordination agency and established a platform for the fourth industrial revolution. The three professional associations of the German Information Technology Communication New Media Association, the German Machinery Manufacturing Federation and the German Electronics Industry Federation jointly established a secretariat, which is responsible for developing roadmaps for priority subjects. In addition to establishing a leadership agency and a strategic advisory committee at the central government level headed by leaders of the State Council, my country should also give full play to the role of industry associations and strengthen the construction of industry coordination mechanisms.

Implications for China

1. Actively meet the new era of intelligent economy

Industry 4.0 will revolutionize human-technology and human-environment interactions. With the help of CPS system, especially Internet+, human intelligence can be greatly improved. Intelligence is the ability to transform human wisdom and knowledge into an action ability. The economy based on the organic integration of human intelligence, computer networks and the physical world has higher efficiency, which cannot be achieved by traditional industries. Therefore, once intelligence appears, it will replace traditional industries with new structures and forms, forming a "smart economy". In the era of intelligent economy, intelligent environmental protection, intelligent buildings, intelligent transportation, intelligent medical care, etc., constitute different fields of intelligent economy; intelligent home, intelligent enterprise, intelligent city, intelligent area, intelligent country, intelligent world constitute different levels of intelligent society. In the era of intelligent economy, the integrity of global economic integration is more prominent, the internal connection between market entities is more closely, and the social and economic system is more open to the outside world. The smart economy characterized by smart factories is also likely to be the highest stage of industrial economic development. It can be predicted that the imbalance of the world will become more prominent, the form of competition will change, and the way of global governance will have major changes. In this regard, we must be prepared to occupy the commanding heights in terms of development strategy, scientific and technological innovation, and humanistic ethics, and form a good momentum.

2. Actively explore the road of industrialization with Chinese characteristics

my country is still a developing country, still in the process of industrialization, backward and advanced coexist, traditional and modern coexist, we need to actively explore the path of industrialization with Chinese characteristics: the combination of upgrading traditional industries and cultivating emerging industries; combining traditional handicrafts with advanced manufacturing ; The first industrialization is combined with the second industrialization; the informationization and industrialization are combined. For quite a period of time, my country may also need to promote "Industry 2.0", "Industry 3.0" and "Industry 4.0" at the same time, not only to realize the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, but also to achieve leapfrog development in high-end fields. The establishment of a Chinese industrial system that conforms to China's actual conditions and reflects the development trend of the world will provide a solid and broad foundation for the comprehensive realization of a moderately prosperous society and modernization. It is necessary to consider not only improving labor productivity, but also solving the employment problem.

3. Correctly understand China's manufacturing industry in the re-industrialization of developed countries

Under the current international situation, China's manufacturing industry faces three challenges: on the one hand, high-end challenges. Through "re-industrialization" and the combination of "re-industrialization" and the new industrial revolution, the developed countries will surely further strengthen their long-term advantages in science and technology, information, capital, etc., and become the main beneficiaries of technological innovation and industrial revolution dividends. It will further solidify the "center-periphery" world division of labor system that is not conducive to developing countries, and further widen the distance from my country. On the other hand, from the low-end squeeze, developing countries such as India, Vietnam, and Indonesia may undertake the transfer of labor-intensive industries with lower labor costs, and seize the middle and low-end manufacturing industries. advantages are in danger of being lost. On the other hand, there is an internal dilemma. On the whole, my country's independent innovation capability is not strong, and its core technology is highly dependent on foreign countries; the manufacturing industry is still at the low-end level of the industry, lacking world-class large-scale enterprises and well-known brands.

The share of high value-added links is relatively small; the industrial structure is unreasonable, the proportion of technology-intensive industries and production-oriented service industries is relatively low, the level of industrial agglomeration and cluster development is not high, and product quality problems are relatively prominent; resource utilization efficiency is relatively low, environmental protection The problem is serious; the management level is not high and the management efficiency is low, which leads to high management costs and seriously affects the competitiveness of products.

China's manufacturing industry has also ushered in three major opportunities. The first is new opportunities. The new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation has formed a historic intersection with my country's accelerated transformation of economic development mode. The international industrial division of labor has entered a stage of reshaping. There are many blank spots in the start-up period of new ideas, new technologies and new methods, which to a certain extent is a global phenomenon. It provides a new starting line and also provides an opportunity for China to catch up and develop. The second is new supply and demand. The "re-industrialization" of developed countries is organically combined with the emerging new round of industrial revolution, showing us new production methods, production factors, and organizational models that are different from traditional assembly lines and centralized machine-based mass production, which will surely create new markets and Supply and demand, these are where our country can show its strengths. Thirdly, the "de-industrialization" and "re-industrialization" of developed countries provide us with lessons. Excessive "de-industrialization" in developed countries and the development of high-risk and high-leverage financial businesses have led to the disconnect between the real economy and the virtual economy. my country has fully learned its lessons from its "re-industrialization" development strategy, which is forward-looking and in line with the general trend of development. Measures, according to the characteristics of different types of industries, promote structural optimization and upgrading in a focused and differentiated manner. By breaking through key links that restrict industrial structure upgrading such as R&D, design, marketing network, brand and supply chain management, it is entirely possible to speed up the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing. Industry.

To turn challenges into opportunities, it may be necessary to consider the strategic planning pattern of "struggling for both ends and securing the middle" and establish a modern industrial system with Chinese characteristics. On the one hand, it is to concentrate outstanding forces, vigorously enhance the integrated innovation ability, cultivate the original innovation ability, accelerate the acquisition of a number of core key technologies, and strive for a place in some important high-end fields. We have done this in the past, and we should do it in the future, so that we have a certain say in the international core clubs. One is to continue to strive for a certain share in the low-end, and strive to create more job opportunities. We should upgrade on the basis of the long-term bottom end. It is unrealistic to upgrade all to the high end. Going to the mid-range should be our main option. Overcome the difficulties faced by "Made in China" and become an important provider of excellent (mid-end) products and services in domestic and foreign markets.

4. Attach great importance to the transformation of Internet + enterprise organization

"Internet +" is the organic combination of technology and economy. In the implementation of the "Internet +" strategy, the organizational transformation of Internet + enterprises is of special significance. As an important subject of the market and the cell of the economy, in addition to using the Internet to strengthen the relationship with the market In addition to interconnecting and connecting, and promoting networked collaborative manufacturing and services, great efforts must be made to enhance endogenous power and revitalize internal vitality. How to use information technology to improve and reconstruct production factors, deepen corporate organizational reform, innovate production methods, improve asset quality and service functions, and adapt to market needs and changes is an overall issue that affects the Made in China 2025 strategy. Answering this question first requires a correct understanding of the relationship between technology and organization. The relationship between technical structure and enterprise organizational structure is a process of mutual promotion and mutual construction. In particular, Internet technology organizes various relationships such as consumers, suppliers, partners and employees of enterprises in the computer network, so that information can be obtained. , processing, transmission and application have become high-speed and convenient, which inevitably requires corresponding adjustments and changes in the production methods, management models and organizational structures of enterprises. Under such circumstances, only by deepening the reform of enterprise organization, closely combining Internet technology and enterprise production methods, and forming an effective information communication and feedback mechanism, can the benign interaction between technology and organization be realized, and the development of Internet technology can be required by enterprises. , the enterprise can become the main force to promote the technological progress of the enterprise.

5. Strengthen the basic work of Made in China 2025

my country has a certain understanding and measures of the importance of basic research, basic training, infrastructure, etc., but it lacks depth, core, and soul. A grand strategy, especially a grand strategy involving a country's medium and long-term development, must have its own system, a profound theoretical foundation, its own core and key innovative technologies, innovative ideas, and the courage to take responsibility. , capable of solving problems.

Although we can close the technological gap by learning from developed countries in the West, if theoretical research cannot catch up, we will always fall behind and lose real competitiveness. In both basic research and basic training, Germany has a lot of valuable experience that we should learn from.

How to strengthen basic research and basic training? Consider starting with infrastructure construction. Infrastructure construction is also an important part of Made in China 2025. Made in China 2025 must have supporting infrastructure and corresponding materials that can be obtained. A more in-depth study and analysis of China's manufacturing infrastructure projects can find and solve problems, embody a problem-oriented innovative research idea, strengthen theoretical research in a targeted manner, and provide basic conditions for China's manufacturing. Judging from the current situation, it is necessary to sort out the important infrastructure items made in China, such as broadband Internet infrastructure, efficient and large-capacity data infrastructure, IT infrastructure, unified security framework and unique identifiers. On the basis of comparing and referring to the corresponding international advanced infrastructure, it is necessary to formulate theoretical research plans and engineering construction plans for China's manufacturing infrastructure projects one by one to lay a solid foundation for Made in China 2025.

It is undeniable that a new wave of industrial revolution is emerging, the prospect of an intelligent world is unfolding, and the horn of fierce competition has sounded. We can't rush, and we can't be slow. The key is to in-depth research and judgment, long-term layout, and appropriate measures. "Made in China" needs to change from factor-driven to innovation-driven; from low-cost competitive advantage to quality and efficiency competitive advantage; from extensive manufacturing with high resource consumption and high pollutant emissions to green manufacturing; from production-oriented manufacturing to service-oriented manufacture. The core essence of China's manufacturing development strategy should be: to accelerate the integration of a new generation of information technology and manufacturing as the main line, to improve quality and efficiency as the center, to meet the needs of economic and social development and national defense construction for major technical equipment means to strengthen the basic industrial capacity, improve the level of comprehensive integration, improve the multi-level talent system, cultivate a manufacturing culture with Chinese characteristics, promote industrial transformation and upgrading, and realize the historical leap of manufacturing from large to strong. It is entirely possible for China to become an important beneficiary of the new industrial revolution and make an important contribution to the new industrial revolution.

The author is the vice president of the China Development Bank Research Institute

Excerpted from "People's Daily Online"