Modern steel operations demand more than traditional automation and supervisory systems in order to push higher the levels of efficiency and optimization. The impact of digitalization is reshaping this industry. Data insights are now available for the optimization of the operations, digital vision systems span from surface defects detection to online inventory updates. The capabilities of the shop floor personnel can be augmented by AR and remote assistance. All these create new paradigms and new tiers where more efficient and more profitable companies are moving to. The paper introduces some aspects of the fourth industrial revolution, including two case studies.