I4S+ content for subscribers only

Logistic processes at seaports and inland terminals play an important role for finished vehicle logistics. High flexibility and reactivity are required to cope with frequent deviations from original operational planning. This paper describes a concept for developing tools and systems to optimize planning and control processes. This includes a simulation backed planning system and a control system for order allocation using mobile devices and their GPS as well as sensor data.

Software development of industrial robots requires interdisciplinary knowledge and technical experience. Due to the heterogeneity of the manufacturer-dependent programming languages and tools, robot programming remains highly complex, although robots themselves are flexible and can be used for a wide range of applications. To support different roles during the development, including component provider, application developer, system integrator and end user, a model based approach was developed in the research project ReApp. The data exchange format AutomationML was used for the modelling of robot components and systems. Based on domain ontologies, the AutomationML models were processed semantically and converted to a machine-interpretable information model, from which source code was generated.

The economic operation of the offshore wind energy turbines is of fundamental importance for the industry. Due to the prevailing weather conditions at sea these operations require optimal plannung and control. This contribution presents the work process and information requirements of an offshore service company. Suitable industry 4.0 technologies are identified to increase information transparency for the supply chain. In conjunction with a cooperative planning and control instrument, a reliable basis of decison-making for the execution of service assignments can be provided. This constitutes a direct contribution to a reduction of operation costs for offshore service logistics.

Due to the increasing complexity of cross-company transportation, it becomes more and more difficult to ensure a correct inventory of loading tackles throughout the entire supply chain. The use of a state-of-the-art SaaS (software as a service) solution simplifies, standardize and automate inventory management to reduce administrative effort as well as resources of time and money.

Smart glasses are recognized as a promising technology for supporting operational processes in the logistics sector. In particular, the application of Pick-by-Vision is capable of increasing the efficiency, quality and ergonomics of manual order picking. But first industrial pilots reveal problems concerning the implementation as well. To provide an overview a comprehensive requirement analysis is conducted and the results are presented.

In the course of digitization, the complexity and instability of business networks are considerably increasing. This has also serious effects on intralogistics. Under VUCA conditions, intralogistic systems develop into open, decentralized and self-organization networks of information-processing units. They adapt to the dynamic changes of their environment, by increasing their inner and outer varieties in a preventive manner. Digital technologies are not in a position to adequately control non-deterministic logistic systems; this task is essentially left to the working man. In order to overcome the challenges, appropriate models and methods of preventive work design are developed in the PREVILOG project. The paper presents cybernetic basics and preventive work design principles.

Recently, a great number of articles, book chapters, conference proceedings, and essays have been published, concerning the fourth industrial revolution or the internet of things. Unfortunately, extent and meaning of these terms become more and more unclear. Thus, a thorough understanding is necessary. Although a lot of studies are carried out to analyze potentials and threats of implementing respective elements into business, it is essential to compare expert’s perception with existing notions. In this work, both a quantitative analysis and a qualitative analysis were undertaken to identify several factors inhibiting or stimulating a further usage, by using a TOE framework. The results of both the survey and the interviews with several experts are explained in detail, and summed up into a statement of future prospects.

One ear on the phone while checking e-mails and revising a text at the same time - that’s life today in many offices all over the world. Constant digital change makes great demands of companies and their staff. People are expected to be available 24/7 while multi-tasking and coping with high noise levels in open-plan offices as well as dealing with constant disruptions in the work process. Together with working on-call or on-demand, these are just some of the challenges and tasks that have to be managed. How can staff continue to be efficient and productive despite all these and more changes to the working world? Are companies prepared for the demands of the digital age? Which adjustments will they have to make to protect staff from excessive demands on the one hand, while boosting efficiency and productivity on the other?

Digital transformation leaves only a few aspects of the relationship between customers and companies unaffected. This also applies to payment flows that stream between parties. Goods and services, which are fundamentally changing under the influence of the new technical possibilities, are also sold and bought differently. For the systematic search of new possibilities to monetarise own offers, the so-called Objects of Revenue are suitable. These are objects within the company, which are directly linked with or are able to be linked to payment flows.

The flexible licensing of machine features is a major enabler of new business models. New finance and leasing models can be generated by disruptive machine-as-a-service models with pay-per-use functionality. The more flexible the licensing becomes, the more essential is the business process automation of the licensing management system. To choose build or buy in such environments is not a question anymore. Vendors of professional license management platform are the right eco system partners for machine builders.