According to a survey conducted by the industry association Bitkom in 2016, 69% of industrial companies surveyed invested in new technologies to digitalize their business processes. Their motivation: to reduce costs, increase efficiency and boost productivity. They should also look beyond the production halls and into the company's offices. After all, the digital workplace is becoming increasingly important as a central information and work platform and involves more than just the ability to check emails on the go using a smartphone. Rather, it is about setting up an information management system that is designed to provide information independently of structured sources such as documents. A system is therefore needed that overcomes the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds and enables overarching communication via the Internet of Things, or IoT for short. Linking the two worlds is possible with an object management system (OMS) by virtually defining and managing any number or complexity of real objects and thus using them as digital information sources.

Physical objects become smart

An OMS is a fully autonomous but connectable system that can be easily integrated into the company's existing IT infrastructure. The actual bridge between the real and virtual worlds is built by first equipping physical objects with a sensor. These small components form the basis of networking, as they can basically be built into any object in any form, making it smart in the process. Communication and interaction between physical and virtual objects can then take place via long-range technology, which is particularly suitable and energy-efficient for small amounts of data, as well as via Wi-Fi or other internet protocol connections.

The data measured by the sensors is both factual information about the properties of the physical object - a cup, for example, is a cylindrical, hollow object with a handle - but also about its functions and behavior. A cup can therefore also be described as a fillable vessel for combustion-free drinking. The collected data is forwarded to a data center. The OMS then reads the key information from this and defines the physical object as a virtual object. In a final step, it can be connected to a variety of document and process-processing systems, such as ERP or CRM software, via open APIs.

Linking with documents and processes

For example, as a basic option, you can define a production hall as a virtual object and link it to specific information, for example in the form of documents. Everything you need to know about the property is stored in the OMS. This can be properties such as the address and number of square meters, but also information about the actual intended use, for example that the hall is not empty, but - as rental contracts, invoices for machines and written safety measures show - is actively used for the production of automotive parts.

One step further is to link the object to specific processes within the company: a 3D printer in the production hall is equipped with a sensor that transmits the following message to the OMS: "Cartridge of printer with ID 123 is empty". The system recognizes the printer as a defined, virtual object and is in turn connected to a case management system or another process-processing solution of the company, so that flexible process processing is started in the back office. Connected to the ERP solution used in the company, the printer can, for example, independently pass on the information "My cartridge is empty" and the responsible employee receives the order to order and insert a new one.