Intelligent production, 
online trading

In Bremen, a car rear light controls its own production. It autonomously organises the fitting of the electronics, the light bulb, the seal and one of three cover plates – depending on the customer’s preference. In Stuttgart, Bosch machines are monitored by a remote main­tenance system. When necessary, spare parts are ordered or a service technician called in directly by the system. This reduces downtime and costs. In Munich, software specialists are working on virtually mapping a complete BMW factory. If they are successful, it will be able to organise itself in the future. Everywhere in Germany, factories are working to realise a vision: Industry 4.0 – in other words, intelligent, efficient and sustainable production that controls itself. The fourth industrial revolution promises huge efficiency increases. To achieve this, however, information and communication technology must 
first be integrated into the production process. Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) are the technology that is being used to make materials and machines “intelligent”. For example, raw castings 
are given a radio chip that contains the pro­gramming for the entire manufacturing process.

By contrast, online trading has long-since become a reality. According to a recent study by the high-tech association BITKOM, 94% of German Internet users over the age of 14 shop on the Web. That’s 51 million people. The inexorable trend toward 
e-commerce involves both risks and opportun­ities. On one hand, it represents a considerable threat to retail outlets in inner cities. On the other, more and more retailers are themselves using 
e-commerce platforms and expanding out of what is often a local niche into the national or even global marketplace – without too much 
effort. Whereas only one fifth of all companies 
use the Internet to sell goods, more than half 
already use the Web for purchasing. ▪