Digital Transformation | This is how it can succeed
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The digital transformation has a lasting impact on our working world and society. This is not just about introducing new digital tools, but also about a fundamental change in the way we work and create value. The goal is to become more efficient, develop new business models and adapt to a constantly changing digital environment. Read how technology leader Master the transformation and support your customers in the process.
Contents
- Digital Transformation 2023 – The most important things in brief
- Digital transformation at Lenze with partners
- Digital transformation at Rittal, Eplan & Co.
- Digital transformation at Mitsubishi Electric
- FAQ
Digital Transformation 2023 – The most important things in brief
In 2023, digital transformation will face new challenges and opportunities. This article gives you a comprehensive overview of the current state of development and the latest trends, such as AI integration and cloud technologies. Find out how you can master these developments and use them for your company. With the following specialist knowledge from technology leaders, you not only stay up to date, but you can also develop targeted strategies and benefit from the specialists' tips as a newcomer to the digital age.
Digital transformation at Lenze with partners
November 15.11.2023, XNUMX | Digitalization offers mechanical and plant manufacturers enormous opportunities to generate new business models. The companies working together in partnership Lenze and Trump are convinced that the path to a successful future is based on partnerships and openness.
The future of mechanical and plant engineering lies in digital, data-based business models, services and services. Especially small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) but implementation is difficult because there is often a lack of skilled workers, know-how and infrastructure. It requires specific knowledge in software engineering, IT and automation, which can be generated, for example, through strategic cooperation and open, sovereign data exchange.
Christian Wendler, CEO of Lenze, puts it this way: “Digitization is a mammoth project that can hardly be managed alone. Only those companies that rely on collaboration and the right partners to build new expertise are successful. Some SMEs are put off by the effort involved in implementing suitable software solutions, but the investments are excellent money that will sooner or later generate a profit,” assures Mr. Wendler.
Smart data instead of big data
But digitalization is not the only structural change. Megatrends such as decarbonization and demographic change present the industry with further challenges. For Christian Wendler and Lenze, the solution is obvious: “Automation is a win for everyone. It drives digital transformation because it brings information technology into the machines. She shrinks it CO2-Footprint, because it increases energy efficiency. And it solves the shortage of skilled workers because it simplifies processes and thus saves working time.”
Reading tip: Three ways to get started with generative AI
All automation needs is data, but not just any data. Instead of huge amounts of data, it is important to generate and analyze the right, intelligently processed data. Smart data instead of big data. And that is exactly the specialty of the experts at Lenze. Out of drives and Controllers Generated data flows into digital twins and small, relevant data packets are specifically extracted from them. Here they are evaluated and transformed into smart data.
There is immense potential for saving materials, working time and energy. By using digital twins and smart data, companies' energy consumption can be reduced by an average of up to 50% reduce. This would save resources and... Sustainability be improved in the industry.
The digital ecosystem is open
Lenze demonstrates its strategy of partnership with its commitment to the initiatives Manufacturing X and Open Industry 4.0 Alliance. The aim of these two cross-company and cross-industry projects is a sovereign, open data space for the exchange of components, know-how and technologies.
The focus is on uniform standards and collaboration between machines and systems. “Yesterday’s successes must not stand in the way of tomorrow’s successes. “It takes new partnerships, business models and a modern mindset to be successful together in the industry,” says Thomas Schneider, Head of Machine Tool Development at Trumpf.
Trumpf and Lenze are jointly driving forward the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry and are working together on technologies and concepts as part of Manufacturing more competitiveness,” explains Thomas Schneider.
Open automation platforms like this Nupano from Lenze are suitable as key technologies for ensuring the competitiveness of SMEs. A rethink is necessary for the digital transformation to be successful.
Digital transformation at Rittal, Eplan & Co.
Oct 26.10.2023, XNUMX | The pressure on companies is increasing, yours business processes into the digital transformation. But how is the manufacturing industry currently progressing with its development towards intelligent production?
Business processes in digital change
How does the change process from crisis management to long-term digital transformation succeed in terms of energy, efficiency and sustainability? How does the industry more pace in the expansion of the infrastructure that is urgently needed for this - and that with the increasing shortage of skilled workers?
The members of the Friedhelm Loh Group Rittal, Eplan, Cideon and German Edge Cloud would like to give their visitors answers to all of these questions about digital transformation by talking to them enter into dialogue. Rittal, Eplan, cideon and German Edge Cloud show how competence in the relevant ecosystems creates comprehensive solutions.
Challenges on the way to the smart factory
"The digital transformation of factories, a long-term secure and economical energy supply and the determination and reduction of the Product carbon footprint in the industry are the major challenges that cannot be solved in isolation are", like that Markus Ash (Picture above), CEO Rittal International and Rittal Software Systems. "It needs innovations beyond the products and solutions. We have to understand the processes along the value chains of our customers, think in new ecosystems and develop comprehensive solutions. We are convinced that this is only possible via standardized platforms."
On the way to digital transformation towards smart production, industrial companies also need economical production with a high level of process automation and efficient business processes. At the same time, these must be controlled in an energy-efficient manner and can be flexibly adapted to individual customer requirements - in view of the increasing shortage of skilled workers.
Strategy and synergies at Rittal
“Nowadays, innovation can only mean making the customer's overall performance successful. If we no longer think in products and solutions, but in process optimization", then this is only possible with a clever combination of hardware and software," explains Mr. Asch. The companies will find out exactly how this works with regard to digital transformation Hannover Messe demonstrate.
The Friedhelm Loh Group uses the experience from the industry and the technology know-how of Eplan, Rittal, Cideon and German Edge Cloud. The company is thus bringing mechanical and plant engineering, automation, IIoT and IT even closer together and thus opening up common potentials for the customers.
Reading tip: Lightning-fast wiring of control cabinets etc.
Digital twins for factory & energy management
More and more industrial companies are setting out Way to smart production, which goes hand in hand with digital transformation. After more than ten years of Industry 4.0, the potential of digitalization is far from exhausted. For many manufacturing companies, things are just getting started after a period of learning. You can achieve advantages even with the first steps into digital transformation. They would like to support the companies of the Friedhelm Loh Group.
Digital twins for the three ecosystems
As enablers of smart production, Rittal, Eplan, Cideon and German Edge Cloud, among others, point to the Industrial fairs, like the three ecosystems automation engineering, product manufacturing and manufacturing processes each via a digital twin connected in perspective can be.
These options not only make smart production processes more transparent and efficient. Energy flows in companies also become transparent and can thus be optimized. This is currently and will be a critical success factor for industrial companies that have to keep an eye on availability and costs. The energy transition acts as an accelerator for fundamental changes in industry. The prerequisite for digital transformation is full transparency along the value chains of the users Control Technology and switchgear construction to the operator.
But like can you create transparency? Eplan and Rittal are driving forward with the control, switchgear- and mechanical engineers advance the digital twin of machines and systems and make the data usable in operations. Cideon increases data consistency around the digital product twin with expertise for CAD/CAM, PDM/PLM and product configuration. The Oncite Digital Production System (DPS) from German Edge Cloud serves as a platform for the digital manufacturing twin and IIoT-supported production management.
Oncite Digital Production Platform connects
With Oncite DPS the value chain can be digitized and production can be taken to a new level. This is ensured by the speed with which production is networked, modern data management and maximum production transparency.
All of these measures are based on the possibilities of the industrial Internet of Things, the latest cloud technologies and Edge Computing. Data security, data sovereignty and data sovereignty are increasingly being met.
Build energy infrastructure faster
Production faces the challenge of monitoring and managing energy more efficiently in the future. The whole Energy sector is under the greatest pressure to act and to keep costs down. This Infrastructure needs to be set up more quickly to meet industry requirements for the site.
For Eplan and Rittal this means: The success factors lie in the industrialization of the entire process chain with the Combination of software and hardware. Modularization, standardization and data consistency are principles of action for the company.
Integrated hardware and software solutions
The experiences of the two companies with their customers from the machine, control and switchgear construction have shown that what great potential lie dormant in the optimization and industrialization of process chains.
Integrated hardware and software solutions increase the pace of digital transformation extension of infrastructure from energy generation and storage, to grid expansion and the business areas coupling to the charging park for electric vehicles. The gain in efficiency lowers the costs and the data, as twins of the systems, opens up further usage perspectives in operation.
Data rooms for transformation
How can control, switchgear and mechanical engineering help to withstand the pressure for change in terms of competitiveness and at the same time master the energy transition and digital transformation? Rittal, Eplan, Cideon and German Edge Cloud are showing at the PLC 2023 in Nuremberg, how the optimization of entire value chains as a principle of action can point the way to the industrial future.
Trade fair visitors can see the practical implementation not only using the example of Rittal's own Smart Factory, but also in the form of an intrafactory track & trace software application in the Smart Press Shop, a joint venture Porsche and Student. The Schuler Digital Suite with Track and Trace is based on the Catena-X certified Oncite DPS. This forms the basis for using data for internal factory process and quality optimization via the Catena-X operator platform Cofinity-X in the future. Correlation analyzes in the painting and final assembly lines contribute to reducing waste.
Optimize the value chain
The trade fair stand also shows how controls and infrastructure can be created even faster and more efficiently. The topic is illuminated Data consistency along the entire value chain - from electrical engineering to system technology and panel building to the digital operations phase of the Abeste Grüßenlagen. Control and switchgear manufacturers save time and money in their value creation process with Rittal and Eplan solutions. These guarantee complete system data for maintenance, smart service and system networking and thus become sought-after digital partners for system operators.
Wire mail from exhibition stand to exhibition stand
The exhibitors are demonstrating the practical implementation across company boundaries with a new approach Robotic for switch cabinet-Wiring. Exhibits are connected to neighboring stands. The Rittal Wire Terminal WT C fully automatic assembles the wires live at the trade fair stand and shoots them using compressed air to remote workstations using the prototype of a wire handling system. There, a robot prototype from Rittal Automation Systems wires control components fully automatically. Digitally supported by Eplan Smart Wiring overcomes this Wire mail the borders to the neighboring stands of partner companies, where the wires are further processed at Rittal workstations. All of this is based on the data consistency in Eplan's industrial automation ecosystem as well as the high data quality of the manufacturer components in the Eplan Data Portal.
Mechatronic parts list is coming
Data consistency also plays a major role in the new eCAD connection from Eplan to Cideon Conify. If mechanical engineers use a product configurator, they can automatically generate design data and parts lists. The parts list can be output mechatronically. Circuit diagrams and electrical documentation could also be generated with a click using EEC. Eplan also shows the Machine cabling about digital twin using Eplan Harness proD and the innovations of Eplan Platform 2024 with their systems for electrical, fluid, measurement, control technology and control cabinet construction.
The running factory live
March 22.03.2023, XNUMX | As the Digital transformation in practice works, show visitors live examples in real time at the company's shared exhibition stand Hannover Messe. In the smart control cabinet factory of Rittal in Haiger the energy monitoring has already been integrated into the Oncite DPS digital production system. The view from the trade fair via the cloud into the real energy data of ongoing production will inspire people.
The energy flows of the associated data center will also be visible. The one presented on site Rizone OTM Suite on the management of the operating technology of a data center will show that. Rittal uses software from sister company German Edge Cloud. The new Rittal software relies on the flexible microservices architecture of the Oncite DPS.
New cases, base solutions and a platform update
Quick solutions are needed for this. Eplan and Rittal present the new BaseSolutions Opportunities in Hanover: Based on many implemented applications, the companies have created "best practice templates" in Eplan, including an application for planning and implementing charging parks for electromobility, including system technology.
Data-consistent standards and modules bring the pace to the application. The new Eplan Platform 2024 also simplifies the engineering. For potentially explosive areas of the infrastructure such as the hydrogen technology Rittal presents new Plastic AX housing with Ex approval.
FAQ
What is meant by digital transformation?
The term digital transformation describes the process by which companies and organizations use communication technologies to change and improve business processes, culture and customer experiences. This is not just about introducing new digital tools; fundamental change in the way organizations operate and create value. The aim is to become more efficient and, by definition, this also includes developing new business models and adapting to a constantly changing digital environment.
What is digital transformation – examples
The following examples show how technology supports the transformation process to redesign business models and processes and create added value.
- Cloud-Computing: Companies are moving data and applications to the cloud to become more flexible and reduce costs.
- Big Data and Analytics: Business decisions are optimized by analyzing large amounts of data.
- E-commerce: Traditional retailers are opening online stores or using platforms to sell products and services.
- Mobile Apps: Companies develop online applications for smart devices to increase customer loyalty or improve internal processes.
- Artificial intelligence and automation: Use of algorithms and machine learning to automate tasks and processes.
- Internet of Things (IoT): Networking physical devices to collect data and optimize processes.
What is the difference between digitalization and digital transformation?
Short said, this is what digitalization is Who (implementation in digital technology) and digital transformation Why and What is (strategic change and adaptation).
Detailedhe explains: Digitalization refers to the conversion of analog information into digital formats and the use of digital technologies in various processes. It is the technical act of converting data into digital form.
Digital transformation, on the other hand, is a broader process in which companies and organizations use technology to fundamentally change and improve their business models, processes, culture and customer interactions. It's about a strategic realignment and adaptation to the digital age, not just about the technology itself.
What is needed for digital transformation?
For digital transformation you need:
- Strategy: A clear vision and plan for how digital technologies can improve or transform the business.
- Technology: Selecting and implementing the right digital tools and platforms.
- People: Training and qualification of employees to prepare them for digital change.
- Culture: A corporate culture that encourages innovation and change.
- Guide: Committed leaders who drive and support change.
- data: The ability to collect, analyze, and derive insights from data.
- Partnerships: Collaborate with external partners or start-ups to benefit from their expertise and innovation.
- customer focus: A focus on the customer to understand their needs and tailor digital solutions to them.
Together, these elements form an ecosystem that enables companies to successfully adapt to the digital age.
What digitalization strategies are there?
There are different digitalization strategies that companies can adopt depending on their goals, resources and market conditions. Here are some common approaches:
- Operations centrice Digitalization: Focus on optimizing internal processes through technology, e.g. through automation, cloud computing or ERP systems.
- Customer centrice Digitalization: Use of digital technologies to improve the customer experience, for example through e-commerce, mobile apps or personalized marketing measures.
- Product and service-Innovation: Development of new digital products or services or the expansion of existing offerings to include digital components.
- Data drivene Decision making: Using big data and analytics to make data-based business decisions and gain new insights.
- ecosystem-Strategy: Build or integrate into digital platforms and networks to interact with partners, suppliers and customers and create value together.
- Digital Business Model-Transformation: Redesign of the entire business model using digital possibilities to open up new sources of income or optimize existing ones.
Choosing the right strategy depends on various factors, including the industry, the size of the company and its current digital maturity. It is often advisable to use a combination of these strategies to take a holistic digitalization approach.
Digital transformation at Mitsubishi Electric
In digital manufacturing, the latest trends aim to connect the virtual and physical factory environment. This is what the term stands for Digital transformation. It aims to increase productivity, efficiency and profitability. For change, companies must combine a number of cutting-edge technologies in order to successfully complete the changes. We present the know-how of Mitsubishi Electric as an experienced partner.
Digital change and 5G development
31.01.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX | The Covid pandemic has digital revolution further advanced in the industry. Digital change and the latest technologies for the 5G communication create increasing demand for more solutions for web and cloud-based applications. This leads to high investments in IT infrastructures.
Scara robots for beginners in digital transformation
23.06.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX | The new Melfa RH-CR Scara robot from Mitsubishi Electric offer a space-saving solution for beginners Robotic. The new Industrial robots are particularly suitable for companies that are just entering the Automation and start digital transformation.
Step by step with specialists in the digital transformation
October 28.10.2020, XNUMX | Digital transformation plays a crucial role for companies with their own production. It is achieved by aggregating, analyzing and extracting large amounts of data. Mitsubishi stands for the change of manufacturing companies towards digital transformation Partner Network is available for storage, management and analysis.
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Angela Struck is editor-in-chief of the development scout and freelance journalist as well as managing director of Presse Service Büro GbR in Ried.