Management of Industry 4.0

Focus Group – New Ways of Cooperation

Industry 4.0 has been recently discussed very often – but how can a concrete realization looks like?

The implementation of Industry 4.0-solutions in companies is missing solid practical experience. Furthermore the concrete effects for the entire supply chain are not obvious. Business as well as organizational obstacles must be overcome step by step, in order to create convincing Business Cases and Management approaches. Based on the key question »What is the benefit of Industry 4.0 for my company and how can a successful implementation be realized?« selected Industry partners work together to find answers for various management questions relating Industry 4.0 Solutions. Innovative Business Models as well as specific controlling and measurement approaches for Industry 4.0 will be the core of the discussion.

This Focus Group pursues a participatory workshop-concept: Participants and experts from Industry and Science are developing together new ideas and solutions in a creative atmosphere.

Usually the workshops take place at the IML-locations in Dortmund and Frankfurt. If required, for e.g. including on-site-processes or inspections, also some meetings can be hold at one of the participating companies.

Fraunhofer IML uses a proven 4-Phase-Model, in which participants develop solutions together that are suitable for their practice.

Example of a process scheme

The initiation of a joint learning process from real life and scientific experience in the learning-arena Focus Group guarantees benefits. The following advantages are offered to the participants:

© Fraunhofer IML
Advantages of Management of Industry 4.0

Business Case Calculator for innovative business models

Initiated by technological developments and research projects in recent years, a tremendous supply of Industry 4.0 applications emerged in Germany alone. Among other aspects, throughput times were reduced, productivity levels were increased and capacities were optimized. But do these innovative applications live up to their promises? Is an investment in them profitable? The implementation has proceeded only hesitantly until now. Especially the SME area exhibits a low degree of implementation of Industry 4.0 at the moment. There are many reasons for this reticence, primarily the question: What are the benefits of Industry 4.0 for my company?

So far, investment decisions have been made predominantly based on the monetary advantageousness of investment projects. The major challenge in terms of Industry 4.0 is the uncertain economic benefit in conjunction with the high investments. There exist little to no experience values regarding the costs or benefits. Statistical forecast procedures based on the past offer only limited valid results. Furthermore, uncertainty prevails regarding future developments and environmental conditions, especially on the quest for reliable figures. In times of disruptive innovations, more qualitatively strategic decision-making parameters (non-financials) should be used to safeguard investments.

Together with you, the Fraunhofer Business Case Calculator allows for a quick and simple business case validation from various perspectives. Taking into account both classic »financials«, and qualitative potential benefits (i.e. »non-financials«) as well as project risks of an innovative business model, you are able to protect yourself when making investment decisions.