Typeset

Digitalization and the possibility to use big data give companies the opportunity to establish hybrid business models. This enables them to offer customers smart services in addition to their physical products, create more value and strengthen their competitiveness. The hybridization goes along with new competence requirements, which need to be shaped. In the AnGeWaNt project, hybrid business models were developed and implemented in three companies. This article describes the approach to analyze new competence requirements and how to build up new skills for a successful hybridization

Automatization and Digitalization are keywords regarding innovative assembly of Smart Factories. Despite all, no Smart Factory is able to produce completely without blue color workers. To stay competitive in the global world companies they need to find the balance to hire only as less employees as possible to guarantee all assembly processes. Therefore, Labor Efficiency is the key figure to control attendance and output. This article explains the role of labor efficiency with regards to the Smart Factory. For this purpose, the input factors attendance and output are explained and illustrated by practical examples. Moreover, it explains how labor efficiency can influence competitiveness positively.

Initiated by the digitalization, the organization of production and employees are subject to change. Innovative and digitized formats should be integrated into existing training programs. Therefore, suitable and target group-specific teaching/learning formats are needed that support participative methods and digital collaboration. For this purpose, a digital teaching and learning format for the application area of automotive engineering in SMEs was designed. This prototypical teaching/learning format was created and evaluated in an iterative process through the participation of the potential. The results show that the test subjects mainly refer to the usability criteria of DIN ISO 9241-110. Recommendations for the creation of future digital teaching and learning formats for SMEs are derived from these findings.

The use of LNG propulsion in ships has significant environmental benefits but also creates chal- lenges in handling. Due to safety regulations, the maintenance of the LNG ship systems requires a high degree of reliability and accuracy. Thus, this paper deals with the development and evaluation of an AR-assistance system. The system based on an Android smartphone enables users to access maintenance instructions and manuals and supports the work process step by step through context-sensitive virtualizations. Its evaluation was conducted as a combined quantitative and qualitative user study.

Urban logistics has to change to become more silent and eco-friendlier. Off-peak delivery is regarded as an effective measure to cut carbon emissions. Implementing this concept will require the deployment of electric trucks to comply with noise regulations. This article provides an overview of current research themes in this field and uses McKinnon’s “Analytical framework for green logistics”to illustrate off-peak delivery as a concept, its benefits and limitations as well as the key requirements to make this concept work.

Despite a strong media presence and proven potential benefits, Industrie 4.0 is not yet established in many companies. Industry 4.0 projects often remain in a prototype status and do not deliver long-term added value. The solution is an integrated digital system landscape consisting of a connected, digital infrastructure and a business organization oriented towards Industrie 4.0. Through a four-step approach, this paper presents the foundations that need to be created to enable scalable solutions and realize long-term benefits.

Holistic production systems (HPS) do not only produce positive effects in large companies - they also have an impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), such as improved adherence to delivery dates. However, HPS cannot be copied from large companies to SMEs due to different initial situations and circumstances. The introduction of HPS means a high effort for SMEs. In this paper, an approach is presented on how a bionic principle can make HPS less costly and at the same time more effective for SMEs.