In Industry 4.0, machines, plants and production processes are networked with each other. This makes their data available for various applications. Typical fields of application are flexible production, e.g. to optimize machine utilization, convertible factory, e.g. to be able to manufacture individualized products in small quantities at affordable prices, intelligent maintenance, e.g. to avoid unplanned production downtimes. The research area also includes technology assessment, guidance documents, and office efficiency improvement through RPA (Robotic Process Automation).

Within this field of competence we conduct research projects on the following topics:

• Concepts for intelligent networking of machines
• Information modeling and semantics for industrial machines and processes
• Cloud architectures for data storage and processing
• RPA - Robotic Process Automation to increase efficiency in the office
• 5D: 5 Dimension - Digital Technology Assessment Cycle to evaluate digital technologies
• Guide to assessing the status of the factory in Industrie 4.0
• Data quality as the key to success

These topics also find their way into these lectures:

• Automatisierungstechnik / Automation Technology (Bachelor WI / EGM)
• Business Information Systems (Bachelor WI / EGM)
• Digital Factory (Bachelor WI)
• Industrial Internet of Things (Bachelor WI)
• Automation & Equipment Technology (Master APE)
• Digital Technologies in Engineering (Master APE)
• Case Study Internet of Things (Master WI)
• Selected Chapters of Digitalization (Master WI)
• Digital Factory & Digital Engineering (Industrie 4.0) (Master IAW-WID)