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The complexity of the production process and the higher demand for quality and individualization leads to structural changes and challenges in the production process. The analysis of interdependencies of Lean Production Systems as an industrial standard und Industrie 4.0 is able to determine new spaces of action and alternative solutions to optimize the production processes. The analysis shows that the technologies and systems of Industrie 4.0 does not compete but rather support the principles of Lean Production Systems.

The digital transformation of production logistics processes promises great potentials for increasing their efficiency. The processes can thus be better controlled and existing capacities better utilized. For a successful digital transformation, the quality of the information that will be collected and processed is a key factor. This paper presents a method for a systematic digital transformation of production logistics processes, with a focus on information flows and their quality.

Regarding to a lack of transparency, expert interviews have shown that many activities in load-carrier-management in companies are performed manually and are prone to errors. The consequences are overstock or more severe understock of load carriers. This article presents the concept of the data-based service “automated monitoring of stock levels”. The service is based on the integration of technologies for identification, communication and localization into conventional load carriers and the generation of data during the logistic process. The data are processed in a cloud-based service-system that triggers supply chain events in case of potential understock of load carriers to prevent supply chain disruptions.

Due to the change of work in manufacturing caused by the introduction of Cyber-Physical systems, there is a need for adequate design principles for user interfaces between humans and machines. Within a research project, a method for the determination and evaluation of such design principles was developed. The method can be used to create a catalogue of rules regarding the successful integration of human factors into Cyber-Physical production systems.

In many industries, neutral data platforms are currently being developed for data acquisition, data preparation and processing and subsequent provision to commercial users, public authorities (e.g. statistical offices) or security agencies. Downstream and separated from the data platform, commercial services will then be developed on the corresponding service platforms. Examples of service platforms in the aviation environment are Aviatar, Skywise or AnalytX. The interaction of the platform and service entities, possibly even across industries and with public institutions, has not yet been conclusively researched and established both on the technical level with regard to data security, data quality, data classification and data assignment to categories such as personal, security-relevant, anonymous only etc. and on the legal level with regard to data sovereignty, intellectual property and observance of aviation-specific regulations.

In times of increasing globalization, international capital and consumer markets get more and more dynamic. To remain competitive, companies have to respond to new requirements and move away from traditional manufacturing concepts. Digitalization offers different technologies and methods to provide a remedy. The following article describes the status quo, as well as future possibilities of Virtual Production with a particular focus on Augmented Reality in the production environment. It gives a comprehensive overview of the current market situation and facilitates strategic investment decisions.

The article presents an approach which supports the assessment of the economic effectiveness of measures during the development towards CPPS through a holistic simulation approach. This is based on the mapping of the various interdependencies between the dimensions technology, organisation and personnel according to the socio-technical approach. From the validation of the approach conclusions for the further development of the concept are drawn.

Digitization and related technologies extend the possibility of work design. As companies face the challenge of being able to respond to changing market conditions with agility, digital technologies are creating new ways to increase work flexibility in response to the need for better employee work-life balance. It is important to consider both the needs and requirements of employees and companies and to find satisfactory solutions for both sides. The present article describes how flexible work design is currently used in companies and how the technologies of digitization can be classified and brought together. Based on a structured literature analysis on the state of the art of the potential of flexible work, the article shows the synergy effects of cyber-physical systems, cloud computing and the Internet of Things as the basis for a consensual solution of the needs of companies and their employees.

In order to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the field of large-scale plant construction, the requirements relevant for construction site logistics planning as well as the planning and controlling of logistics processes in large-scale plant construction using digital models are being investigated within the framework of the research project BIMLog. In this paper, the planning-relevant requirements and their description are presented in an ontology as the basis of a digital planning.

The ongoing digital transformation brings pressure to adapt, but also potential for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the textile and clothing industry. High investment costs for new technologies, insufficient employee qualifications and a lack of standards are examples of obstacles that explain the reluctance of many SMEs to digitalize. There is therefore a need for SME-specific information, both in terms of possible solutions and specific implementations, as well as support for the initiation and realization of implementation projects. The competence center “Mittelstand 4.0-Kompetenzzentrum Textil vernetzt”, which is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), is intended to meet these needs, illustrate the potential of digitization and networking, and show SMEs how to get there.