Internet of Things

Motion-Mining® is a technology that uses motion sensors and pattern recognition to enable automated process mapping and analysis of manual work. This article evaluates the advantages and limitations of its use in manufacturing and logistics processes. To this end, Motion-Mining® is compared with traditional lean management tools used to analyze manual activities. Experiences derived from four use cases provide decision support for selecting the appropriate method for a specific use case.

SME often encounter risks and obstacles when implementing IIoT solutions, but these challenges can be mitigated with the use of an IIoT platform. To select the appropriate platform, a decision- making approach has been developed. By choosing the right use cases, companies can directly benefit from IIoT implementation and gain a competitive edge in the market. Our research indicates that at least three applications have a favorable balance between benefits and effort. Once successfully implemented, these applications can be expanded and scaled as the company becomes more digitally proficient.

While the digital world has already made its way into many other production areas, the bakery industry has so far benefited little from these technological developments. This is because many baking processes are manually controlled and rely on expert knowledge. In addition, the process data from the machines is still not automatically captured via sensors. This paper describes a procedure for digitizing baking processes by developing an IoT framework consisting of an IoT device including measurement methods, an edge gateway, and a simulation-based solution for process optimization.

The application of blockchain and smart contracts also enables the building and operation of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). While DAOs are already regularly in use in other areas – e. g. the financial sector − there has hardly been any application in an industrial environment, although, digitalisation and the upcoming of the "Internet of Things" have created a fruitful environment. This article looks at possible economic approaches to adaptation and explores potential business models that could result from the establishment of DAOs in Industry 4.0. (Only in German)

As a result of dynamic markets, industrial companies often reach their limits to remain competitive. Smart connected solutions (SCS) comprise data-based and service-oriented offerings to stay successful. This paper provides practice-oriented insights into SCS maturity, challenges in building SCS business models and recommendations for action for industrial companies.

The article investigates whether a standard portafilter espresso machine can be made IoT-capable with the help of sensors and small microcontrollers and what added value the communication protocol Message Queue Telemetry Transport Protocol (MQTT) provides.

IoT-Platforms are a key element for interconnecting physical objects and providing data for digital twins which represent such objects. The market for IoT platforms has grown massively in recent years. With now more than 600 providers, selecting the “right” platform for a company is no longer an easy task. This article supports companies in the selection process by providing an overview on common functionalities of IoT platforms and criteria for evaluating IoT platforms.