Category
Details
Industry 4.0 in Practice
Industry 4.0 envisions intelligent factories (“Smart Factory”) that work with highly networked production systems to exchange data internally as well as across companies and collaborate flexibly in value chains. Key elements of the smart factory are embedded systems with local information processing and their extensive interconnection with each other and the Internet. A solution is sought that recognizes the potential of the smart factory, maps it in its system and actively uses the added value (e.g., independent material reordering or repair initiation).
Artificial Intelligence in the Factory
The application of AI in the factory supports the evaluation of process and machine data and thus advances the way towards data-driven process analysis. This category analyzes advanced technologies, such as Big Data or AI-based manufacturing analytics solutions. The latter help to optimize key manufacturing KPIs, such as product quality, maintenance processes, lead times, and more.
Best Internet of Things Solution
Internet of Things solutions in the industrial environment focus on data-driven optimization of industrial processes and the automation of their workflows. Intelligent networking of machines and their environment create a vital information advantage to accelerate decisions or flexibly adapt business processes. Solutions are sought that achieve the goal of creating a constant and real flow of information, evaluating the production usage data obtained, and controlling it directly back into the process.
Digitalization of the Factory
The digital factory features a crucial interconnection of actors relevant for production. Machines and systems, suppliers and customers exchange information using digital technologies. Therefore, it is essential to digitally capture data, structure it appropriately and merge it across system boundaries. The real-time processing of the resulting data volume (big data) helps to design processes more efficiently, maintain machines efficiently, create forecasts or develop new business models. Future-oriented factory software solutions should promote this development toward the digital factory, using I4.0 (e.g., digital twin, IIoT, smart production objects) and form an important driver on the way to the intelligently linked factory (smart factory).
Platforms for the Connected Factory
Added value through factory software requires intelligent and future-proof solutions. Factory software providers can benefit from the innovative ability of third parties through a platform approach. An outstanding solution is sought which is characterized by expandability through development partners who add valuable functions to the factory software and thus create added value.
Manufacturing BI and Analytics
Nowadays, machines and plants deliver large amounts of raw data. We are looking for solutions that turn raw data into management information. Solutions are evaluated based on the extent to which advanced analytical methods are used and how the various perspectives in the factory (including time, quality, quantities) are taken into account.
MES / MOM
Achieving maximum transparency and process control is the goal of many MES/MOM applications. As a key component of networking and digitization, the software sought for in this category, is designed to drive digital transformation by enabling the design and implementation of automated processes.
Digital Twin Use Cases
The use of the digital twin through IoT devices and functions facilitates the mapping of value creation and thus, represents the basis and prerequisite for intelligent solutions. We are looking for a solution that is characterized by both, its integration capability and the simple development of use cases based on it (e.g. predictive maintenance). Especially solutions that allow the user to develop such applications are welcome.
Alarm Software
Alarm software is used to automatically monitor production processes. If faults or malfunctions occur, an alarm is triggered, which enables employees to react quickly – an important basis for reducing downtime and increasing productivity. This category recognizes a solution that stands out for its ability to provide real-time monitoring, automated alarm processing and seamless integration with other security systems, offering an efficient, versatile and user-friendly solution for the early detection and response to security threats.
Worker Assistance Systems
Worker assistance systems support human workers by providing targeted information, thus enabling, among other things, a more efficient execution of work processes, increased safety in the workplace and training that is tailored to individual skills. The award goes to a system that particularly promotes collaboration between humans and machines by integrating modern technologies.
Connectivity
Secure and reliable networking of various production objects (machines, tools and software, and so on) plays an important role in the smart factory: Ensuring the continuous communication necessary for the exchange of data and information. Providers and initiatives competing in this category should therefore offer a particularly high level of support for networking – at both, the syntactic and semantic levels. The available protocols and (standardized) interfaces may also be relevant.
Training and Further Education
This category honors groundbreaking solutions that have implemented a future-focused idea for further training in the fields of the smart factory and Industry 4.0. Successful submissions explain how they deal with the different pre-qualifications of the participants, how they intend to ensure workplace-oriented and problem-related further training, and what results they have achieved in terms of skills development.
Resilient Factory
The resilient factory forms the foundation of Industrie 4.0. It is intended to guarantee the competitiveness of companies even in turbulent times through robust as well as high-performance production processes. In particular, the ability to not only minimize the effects of disruptions but also to avoid disruptions altogether is evaluated.
Sustainable Factory
Questions about sustainability and environmental protection are quickly becoming the focus of debates about modern factories. This award goes to software-driven solutions that show how a factory can be both, efficient and sustainable. The aim is to highlight the dimensions of social, ecological and economic sustainability
Audience Award
The audience award is our speical category which is not judged by our jury of esperts, but by the audience itself – including your (prospective) customers. Every FIA participant is automatically considered for this award meaning you don’t have to hand in an application for this category. The system with the most external votes (the votes of participating companies do not count, of course) will receive this very special prize.