Boost through intelligence

Editorial

Daniel Schilling, 17.11.2020, 09:07

Boost through intelligence

The Federal Republic of Germany turned 71 this year. Economically, the country experienced and is still experiencing the most brutal slump since the Basic Law came into force.

Editor-in-chief INDUSTRIAL Production Daniel Schilling. © WBM

The coronavirus, combined with a deep structural change in the automotive industry and setbacks in global free trade, are reflected in a painful decline in all indicators of economic performance. And yet. At some point, many of the people I talk to in industry admit: "We haven't come through the crisis that badly so far." In September, before the "second wave", a noticeable economic recovery was also reflected in the statistical figures - for example at the VDMA.

There are many arguments that put this recovery into perspective, but the fact is that many companies are now taking digitalization and networking very seriously. One key to this is intelligent automation, which is also the focus of this issue.

We sent our author to Stecher Automation to take a look at the end of line production and we took a close look at the topic of machine learning. The connection of the store floor to the ERP is just as much a topic as the digital twin. And admittedly: The topic also runs through the other sections. Intelligent automation leaves no area of the production chain untouched.

And so it is becoming apparent that the industry will look different after the crisis than before: more efficient, more flexible and more intelligent.

Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing it all on the ground as soon as the end of the pandemic makes traveling possible again. I wish you an inspiring read of the November INDUSTRIAL Production, lots of good ideas and insights and the strength to put them into practice!

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