When asking a question like this, one must look a little deeper. Understanding the meaning behind industrial data is basically the way to see the connection with Industry 4.0. The real question is not how these two are connected but how are they not!
In the real world, today, everything has to do with data. Whether we are talking about new technologies, the information era or Industry 4.0, the collection and use of data are the glue to put them all together.
Robotics, additive manufacturing, augmented reality. Do develop all of these innovative concepts we need data, as the key to creating this new ecosystem. And data means analysis.
In the new industrial world, data is the life. It is what keeps the ‘’ machine’’ going. It is the way innovation can be promoted. The way new features can be added to already existing systems to make them even better. Think about it. Social media is an industry. Search engines are industries and they are the industries of the future. How do you keep them going?
By collecting data of course and by using that data to make improvements, create new features and add new and innovative ways to make the process of using them a lot easier to the user.