industrial internet

Discrete-event simulation of logistics and production systems plays an important role in the context of digital transformation. Its integration into modern planning and control processes is urgently required in order to realize Industry 4.0 concepts. In addition, simulation models will be an important part of the so-called digital twin in the planning and operation. However, the requirements for simulation models and tools are not yet comprehensively defined, and technical solutions have not been adequately implemented. This article presents the fields of action for the implementation.

An investigation of Industry 4.0 project examples of selected companies with a focus on possible resulting business model innovations shows that these innovations can certainly be triggered by Industry 4.0 projects. How-ever, the results of our investigation also show that the share of business model innovations with 22% out of the 158 selected companies is, however, at a rather low range. Disruptive business model innovations are mainly found in companies of the manufacturing industry. Their focus is no longer only on the production or processing of products, but also on a clear added value for the customer. In this article, these aspects are further elaborated and selected study results are presented.

With the industrial internet the digitization of communication processes receives a new impulse. By application of social networks within firms, the collaboration of and knowledge transfer between workers can be supported and rationalized. This paper focuses on Enterprise Social Networks and discusses the challenges and opportunities when implementing these digital communication tools. On basis of a real world case study we illustrate some good practices.

The developed Readiness Model supports enterprises to determine the current state in relation to Industry 4.0 as well as the target state. Based on strategy improvement measures are derived to succeed in attaining the target Industry 4.0 state. Enterprises profit by individualized understanding of Industry 4.0 and specific project proposals. The dissemination of Industry 4.0 is supported through this Readiness Model. In addition a benchmark data base is filled to enable comparisons of enterprises and to observe the historical development of the industry 4.0 readiness of several industries.

The article deals with competences for the implementation of the Industrial Internet whose further development is rather open. Statements on competences are made in the context of extreme scenarios. Concrete requirements depend on combinations of technology and organization which companies choose. So, an - supported - adaptable continuing training is important in which employees learn to carry out changing tasks in the actual work process. The article points to training forms which support competence development for digitalization of industry.

The contribution describes seven effects of cyber-physical systems (CPS) on production systems. These effects encompass the influence of CPS on adaptability, the intensified usage of more available factory data and the de-hierarcization of planning and control. Additionally a research approach is presented for investigating the effects of CPS on production systems using a controlled laboratory environment. The contribution ends with a description of further research questions.