- Spotlight on Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- RapidX presentation illustrates the role of mechatronics in the process chain
An integral part of the HANNOVER MESSE portfolio, "Digital Factory" is a high-profile platform for integrated processes and IT solutions targeted at manufacturing industry. At next year's HANNOVER MESSE (20 - 24 April) "Digital Factory" is expected to attract around 250 exhibitors occupying a net display area of 5,000 square meters.
In 2008 "Digital Factory" attracted 46,800 attendees (2007: 47,000). According to Wolfgang Pech, Senior Vice President at HANNOVER MESSE, these attendance figures testify to the strength of the underlying concept: "IT-based engineering and production tools are evolving at a breathtaking pace. Hence it is essential to maintain a clear overview of what's available on the market. At 'Digital Factory' it is possible to see all the latest solutions in a single exhibition hall."
No other trade show boasts a comparable array of IT tools for product development, production planning/control, sales, and product support services. The spotlight will be on product lifecycle management (PLM), computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM,) product data management (PDM), visualization, simulation, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and manufacturing execution systems (MES).
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
In 2009 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) will be featured as a separate display category in its own right. Customers are no longer just passive consumers. Instead, they formulate their requirements via web portals, expect web-based services and make direct approaches to manufacturers. In the case of capital goods they demand extensive support services. In this context "Digital Factory" will present a complete array of solutions designed to manage the complex relationships between customers and producers.
RapidX 2009: the role of mechatronics in the process chain
A further highlight at next year's "Digital Factory" will be the special display "RapidX" staged by Rittal and EPLAN Software und Service in collaboration with their external partners. The focus here will be on the key role of mechatronics in the mechanical engineering sector. Visitors will be able to experience the entire process chain - live and in action: development and production of a control unit and switchgear cabinet; simulation and realization of the wiring; verification of energy efficiency; and virtual startup. The interplay of various engineering disciplines depends crucially on integrated IT-based processes. RapidX will provide a detailed insight into this core topic at "Digital Factory". Highly qualified personnel will be on hand to provide advice and answer questions.
Group presentation by start-up enterprises
In its role as an export-oriented platform "Digital Factory" supports the special initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) aimed at encouraging start-ups to take part in international trade shows. Numerous start-up enterprises will take the opportunity to present their products and innovations at a group presentation under the umbrella of HANNOVER MESSE 2009.
Guided Tours
The "Digital Factory Guided Tours" are a firmly established feature at HANNOVER MESSE. In the coming year Deutsche Messe will team up once again with the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) and Trovarit AG and organize guided tours of the display categories "Product development", "Planning" "Production" and "Services".