Condition based maintenance is now routinely applied to rotating machinery, with data transmitted wirelessly and reviewed automatically, to give a prognostic or remaining life estimate. The challenge is implementing integrated NDE/SHM strategies for structural assessment. However, advances in computer and communications technology, the internet of things and management of big data are starting to offer the digital infrastructure which can be combined with new sensor systems to enable SHM/prognostics to be applied to structural materials. Some challenges and opportunities which assess and demonstrate how NDE and SHM can potentially be revolutionized in the age of Industry 4.0 are outlined.