IVAM High-Tech Summit 2018 showed changing business models

The second IVAM High-Tech Summit on April 19, 2018 successfully took up the key topic of digitalization again. Around 60 International representatives discussed new business models, Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT) under the influence of digitalization. In 2018, further events of IVAM will also deal with this essential topic.

Session 1: Big Data and Blockchains

The opening session “Digital Business“ showed a series of new business models made possible by digitalization and big data and ways to achieve them. Dr. Wolf-Christian Strotmann called upon SME in the keynote speech to not be afraid of disruptive changes. The assistance of apps, which can be programmed to purposefully use data as a tool, can be a starting point. Examples are UBER, a transportation company that does not own any cars, and Airbnb, a hotel accommodation provider who does nott own any hotels. Markus Thamm from Salcon International and Dr. Jens Popp from camLine emphasized how important it is to plan ahead and focus on a target. The appropriate marketing tool will become an intelligent digital guarantee of success as long as it is selected in accordance with its potential addressees, as Markus Thamm advised. Dr. Jens Popp showed the importance of sensor-based big data evaluation, which specialists can use to write or select adequate programs. Burkhard Blechschmidt from Cognizant showed new ways to organize contracts and customer relationships via block chains. These can be used to establish new business relationships in a secure way without the need of a centralized management.
 
Session 2: Industry 4.0 concepts in practice

In the second session “Digital Production“, Dr. Ole Wintermann of the Bertelsmann Foundation gave a special perspective. He emphasized the challenges of “Work 4.0“. In the future, a large number of today‘s positions will be filled by digital helpers such as robots. It is unlikely that all workers will find a new job, which calls for lateral thinking: In a digital world, we will have to think more in terms of activities rather than occupations. Dirk Thielker from axoom showed various examples of how Industry 4.0 concepts can be put into practice. With the help of a suitable digital infrastructure, the networking within a company can also be extended to customers and suppliers. Dr. Christian Hedayat from Fraunhofer ENAS showed a hardware solution for decentralized power supply of sensors and control units. The wireless energy and data transmission developed by ENAS can be used for production optimization, as it allows sensors to be deployed throughout the process, collecting their data and powering the components.
 
During the lunch break, some participants visited the “digital workbench“ of the city of Dortmund, where they discussed digitalization plans and tested initial ideas. During all breaks, all participants conducted lively conversations and discussed the presentations.

Session 3: Efficient wearables and smart home concepts 
 
The lunch break was followed by the third session on “Digital Products for Health“, as digitalization is changing the healthcare and medical technology market. The keynote speech by Dr. Tobias Gantner of Healthcare Futurists highlighted healthcare challenges, e.g. posed by “Dr. Google, office hours Mon-Sun, 24 hours a day“. The great potential of digitalization in medical technology is offset by the lack of acceptance among physicians and patients, not to mention the lack of regulations or reimbursement of costs in the healthcare sector. Erik Jung from Fraunhofer IZM showed the first products for the digitalized treatment of the sick and elderly: wearables, portable electronics, diagnostic and therapeutic components allow personalized 24/7 monitoring of the vital parameters of patients with critical-acute or chronic diseases. By integrating flexible and stretchable electronic components in clothing, patients are no longer restricted in their freedom of movement. Hospitals are also seeing the need and the opportunities offered by new technologies. Maren Christina Geissler from Helios Universitätsklinikum Wuppertal showed how her hospital actively intervenes in the development of new products and ensures that actually needed products are being developed and tested quickly and efficiently in co-operation. Dr. Mareike Haaß from Turck duotec made clear that the same concepts used in in hospitals can also be used in home environment. Today, smart home concepts are integrating the acquisition and monitoring of vital parameters in order to give older people the opportunity to stay in their own home for as long as possible while still guaranteeing the necessary medical care.
 
The next IVAM High-Tech Summit is scheduled for the spring of 2019 and will be held again in connection with the General Assembly of the association.