Leading research institutions and industry leaders collaborate on index to support “Industrie 4.0” adoption RWTH Aachen University and Infosys preview inaugural work

Hannover – April 28, 2016: – Acatech, the German Academy of Science and Engineering, today announced the formation of a consortium to create an Industrie 4.0 Maturity Index. The index will enable companies to assess their current “Industrie 4.0” capabilities, and map out concrete steps to realize the potential of intelligent integration of machines and humans by means of the Industrial Internet.

Acatech coined the phrase “Industrie 4.0” and advises organizations as well as the public on forward-looking issues concerning technical sciences. Building on a global study commissioned by Infosys and the Institute for Industrial Management (FIR) at the RWTH Aachen University, the acatech Industrie 4.0 Maturity Index is aligned with leading academic research. It provides a unique multidimensional assessment that covers not only production and logistics but also includes research and development, service, as well as sales and marketing to provide a holistic assessment.

The consortium will expand and further develop the index to define specific capabilities needed to utilize the benefits of Industrie 4.0 and will support companies to evaluate their own progress, identify specific actions, and derive suitable measures to achieve their strategic goals. The following research institutions have joined the consortium: Institute for Industrial Management (FIR) at the RWTH Aachen University, Darmstadt University, Paderborn University, Fraunhofer IML, and the DFKI Saarbücken. They are joined by partners from industry: Infosys, TÜV SÜD, and It’s OWL (Intelligent Technical Systems Ostwestfalen-Lippe,), which is a cluster of companies, universities and research institutes).

Quotes

Prof. Dr. Henning Kagermann, President, acatech:

“Research shows that companies are looking for guidance and a systematic method to assess their current ‘Industrie 4.0’ level of implementation. This index provides a sound methodology and underscores acatech’s goal to promote future technology by facilitating the cooperation between the sciences and business.”

Dr. Vishal Sikka, CEO & Managing Director, Infosys:

“As software permeates deeper into the physical world, it is critical to baseline the maturity of the cyber-physical systems and tap the immense potential of Industrie 4.0. Infosys already has been working closely with customers and research institutions like FIR Aachen to drive adoption of Industrie 4.0, helping organizations accelerate innovation and create new business models. As a founding member of the consortium, we will bring this experience and our engineering expertise to help create the comprehensive, business-centric acatech maturity index.”

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirt. Ing. Günther Schuh, Director of FIR, RWTH Aachen University:

“Industrie 4.0 needs to be introduced step by step and has to be aligned to the business strategy and existing skills and competences. Every step will already add a measurable benefit to the company. As a result, implementation is controllable, because the success is immediately apparent. Hence, I am very confident that we can make a great contribution to the implementation of Industrie 4.0 in companies.”

The announcement was made at the Hanover Fair (Hannover Messe Industrie), the world's biggest industrial fair, which is taking place from April 25 to 29, where a preview of the index is being shown at the acatech and Infosys booths.