digitalization

Alongside sustainability, sustainability management is also gaining in importance. At the same time, digitalization continues to advance, embedded in a complex interplay of economic, ecological and social challenges. A sustainability platform that not only records relevant company data, but also ensures the necessary security, can unleash synergies between transformative trends to foster sustainable and efficient corporate development.

As a result of disruptions in the supply chain, enhancing resilience has become imperative. Upon reevaluating risks associated with the supply side, it is necessary to shift our perspective on inventory management. Drawing from proven and practical solutions, we should focus on implementing swift measures to bolster stock levels and transition from single sourcing to multiple sourcing. Furthermore, embracing digitization will significantly enhance the efficiency of the supply chain as well as the identification of faults. (Only in German)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can make a major contribution to the future viability of our economy and society—whether by improving existing processes or new products and services that promise greater efficiency, more robust structures and more climate protection. At present, however, SMEs in particular are still reluctant to use AI systems. The frequently cited reason is that data protection hurdles appear to be too high. This article discusses the opportunities of data-based value creation. The central question is how AI applications in industry can generate economic added value from data while maintaining data protection and security.

The impact of rapid technological change in a competitive global market is reaching small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) at an increasing rate; digitalization increases the interconnectedness among manufacturers, products and customers. Within this context, SME need to improve both their business processes and their technological capabilities in order to achieve internal and external sustainability goals, to be successful in the marketplace and to meet customer needs. This article discusses the opportunities of digitalization to improve sustainability by presenting two use cases from SME.

The Circular Economy (CE) is a form of economy that extends the use of products and resources by developing the linear supply chain (SC) to a circular SC. However, additional input factors are required for remanufacturing and recycling. Furthermore, these processes generate additional environmental impacts. It is questionable whether the circulation of products is only worthwhile from an economic point of view or whether it also brings environmental advantages. An approach that relates the economic impact of a product to its environmental impact is the Green Productivity Index (GPI). In the following, this index is developed for CE. Furthermore, this article examines how digitalization can positively affect the Green Productivity (GP) of CE. (Only in German)

In factory operations, measuring equipment is often used without automatic storage or further processing possibilities of the measured value. In this case, employees must capture and process the measured values manually. In this article, an approach for the optical detection and digitization of measured values with the help of machine learning methods is presented. This aims to reduce the workload of the employees, avoid reading errors and enable automated documentation.

The logistics industry is currently being confronted with various challenges, such as the lack of drivers, global disruptions to supply chains and the environmental impact of freight transport. In a comparison between the modes of transport, this speaks for a greater shift in freight transport from road to rail. In this article, the challenges for this shift are examined and it is shown to what extent data models can simplify the transport planning and economic assessment of regional freight tram transports. (Only in German)

In the course of digitalization, more and more digital technologies are being used in various areas of logistics. The occupational field is changing and problem-solving and abstracting skills as well as competencies in dealing with IT systems and data are increasingly required. Based on a literature review, this article provides an overview of the current situation in the logistics working world. Effects of digitalization as well as requirements and future competencies in the working world 4.0 are highlighted. Finally, a guideline for the management level is derived in order to promote the acquisition of competencies. (Only in German)