Meetings for the GrowIn 4.0 project from the Interreg North Sea Region (NSR) are also currently only taking place virtually. The international partnership met from January 20 to 23, 2021, to present the tools and methods developed and tested as part of the project. The aim was to select the results that will be available after the end of the project to support SMEs on their path to digitalization.
In the North Sea region, the manufacturing industry is of great importance for driving regional development. Many companies are therefore digitizing their production processes (Industry 4.0) so that they can continue to keep pace with structural change. For this reason, there is a great need for experience-based, intelligent and efficient methods to support SMEs on their way to Industry 4.0. This is where the GrowIn 4.0 project comes in by identifying approaches for imparting digital know-how. By pooling knowledge about the manufacturing industry and Industry 4.0, innovative methods, tools and concepts are to be developed. Thanks to this close cooperation with local SMEs, they will benefit from newly acquired skills and solutions on their path to digital transformation.
As part of the project, various tools have already been developed and tested for their practical suitability. The tools, which should also prove their worth in everyday use for SMEs after the end of the project and whose development was supported by aconium GmbH, include “Human Resources Management (HRM) Industry 4.0” and “Industry 4.0 Return on Investment (ROI)”.
The “Human Resources Management (HRM) Industry 4.0” tool aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Industry 4.0 readiness of SMEs in terms of human resources. It helps to determine which skills the company’s employees have in relation to Industry 4.0 and which gaps in relation to digitalization need to be closed or which skills need to be expanded.
The “Industry 4.0 Return on Investment” ROI tool helps companies that are not yet familiar with the concept of Industry 4.0 to visualize the potential financial impact of taking the step towards digital transformation. SMEs can consult the tool, which is available online, and in return receive a detailed report with graphical representations of their company’s return on investment, benefit-cost ratio and payback periods. The ROI tool integrates real examples of predefined common problems that SMEs face on the path to Industry 4.0 and shows possible solutions.
The current list of available tools and methods that have been developed and tested as part of GrowIn 4.0 can be found on the Interreg NSR project page. Further tools and methods are also being planned. So it’s worth checking back regularly.
Background
Many SMEs are undergoing a transformation process in which production processes are being digitalized (Industry 4.0). The aim of the Interreg NSR project GrowIn 4.0 is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the selection and implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies as well as the transfer of knowledge and strategy development for the implementation of digital processes in SMEs.
aconium supports the partnership in identifying tools and methods to promote SMEs and in developing new business models and strategies in the field of Industry 4.0 in the manufacturing industry. It is also responsible for the work package on training and recruiting skilled workers.
Further information on GrowIn 4.0 can also be found on the project website: www.northsearegion.eu/growin4