There are events – and then there is the CONTACT Open World. With topics covering PLM, IoT, cloud, and AI, this two-day event hit the pulse of digital transformation. 700 participants from around the globe came together under the motto Fast Forward Digital Transformation to shape the industry of tomorrow.
“The seas have become rougher,” stated Maximilian Zachries, Managing Director and eldest son of company founder Karl Heinz Zachries, in his opening keynote. His North German roots made him familiar with unsettled weather, he added: “When you encounter strong headwinds, a clear course and sound strategy are essential.” He deemed it crucial for companies to digitalize more and faster. Only this enabled them to withstand political and economic uncertainties as well as technological disruptions, maintaining both resilience and competitiveness.
“Data plays a key role in this transformation,” Zachries continued. CONTACT Software’s Elements Platform provided the ideal foundation for clean data and digital end-to-end processes. The use of AI in industrial applications in particular opened up impressive possibilities, he added: “CONTACT is pioneering three areas of AI in engineering: information retrieval with the help of large language models, creating structures through generative AI, and integrating geometric deep learning and 3D CAD.”
“There was an absolute wow effect when we entered the main hall this morning. We have incredibly interesting conversations, which are ultimately very important for our networking activities.”
Jan-Christoph Horstmann, Sales Manager, encoway GmbH
“My impression is very positive – an open, customer-oriented event with many experts.”
Bruno Zappacosta, Director Application & System Management, Hydro Building Systems GmbH
“It’s very impressive. There are so many opportunities to exchange ideas with other companies. The presentations were also very inspiring, and I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”
Helena Gutiérrez, Co-Founder, Share PLM
A central platform for innovation and sustainability
Chief Product Officer Frank Patz-Brockmann picked up on the narrative digital thread in his presentation and demonstrated how the Elements platform provides an AI infrastructure to support groundbreaking use cases such as the rapid prediction of simulation results. “Our growing AI team is working hard on systematically expanding the platform to include AI-based applications,” he explained.
In addition to the AI integration, Patz-Brockmann presented updates “under the hood” of the latest release, which include support for Azure SQL and Azure Blob Storage as well as an improved user experience. CONTACT Elements also provided an ever-growing number of applications for a sustainable product lifecycle, as he went on to explain. These enabled companies to calculate product carbon footprints, seamlessly integrate supplier data, and implement a comprehensive material data management, paving the way for more environmentally friendly products and processes.
A preview of Elements 16 gave a glimpse into what customers can expect from the new version, which will be released in 2025: six times faster performance, threefold storage efficiency, and optimization for the cloud and Web UI.
Highlights from the PLM and IoT roadmap
In five roadmap sessions, CONTACT’s experts unveiled current advancements and future innovations across the technology platform. Elements for IoT, CONTACT’s platform for the deployment of IIoT applications for smart factory and smart services, has been expanded into a fully-fledged energy management system. The no/low-code platform is even certified by the German BAFA agency in this context, which allows companies to have up to 40 percent of their costs subsidized. Other highlights of CONTACT’s IoT platform include a new function to record and bundle data from service or operations in so-called Insights. This approach enhances customer service and provides valuable feedback for product development.
The roadmap also includes functions to adjust production processes flexibly, enabling a quick response to unforeseen events. Additional new IoT applications streamline service planning and execution.
Highlights from the PLM and IoT roadmap
In five roadmap sessions, CONTACT’s experts unveiled current advancements and future innovations across the technology platform. Elements for IoT, CONTACT’s platform for the deployment of IIoT applications for smart factory and smart services, has been expanded into a fully-fledged energy management system. The no/low-code platform is even certified by the German BAFA agency in this context, which allows companies to have up to 40 percent of their costs subsidized. Other highlights of CONTACT’s IoT platform include a new function to record and bundle data from service or operations in so-called Insights. This approach enhances customer service and provides valuable feedback for product development.
The roadmap also includes functions to adjust production processes flexibly, enabling a quick response to unforeseen events. Additional new IoT applications streamline service planning and execution.
Highlights from the PLM and IoT roadmap
In five roadmap sessions, CONTACT’s experts unveiled current advancements and future innovations across the technology platform. Elements for IoT, CONTACT’s platform for the deployment of IIoT applications for smart factory and smart services, has been expanded into a fully-fledged energy management system. The no/low-code platform is even certified by the German BAFA agency in this context, which allows companies to have up to 40 percent of their costs subsidized. Other highlights of CONTACT’s IoT platform include a new function to record and bundle data from service or operations in so-called Insights. This approach enhances customer service and provides valuable feedback for product development.
The roadmap also includes functions to adjust production processes flexibly, enabling a quick response to unforeseen events. Additional new IoT applications streamline service planning and execution.
CONTACT’s project management software Project Office now offers improved performance for complex projects and increased usability, supporting occasional users even better in their work. Enhancements in CIM Database PLM include a redesigned Engineering Change Management. And CONTACT’s Software as a Service (SaaS) solution CIM Database Cloud now makes productive work even easier with a Microsoft Office for Web integration which enables document creation, editing, and sharing directly within the cloud client.
CONTACT’s project management software Project Office now offers improved performance for complex projects and increased usability, supporting occasional users even better in their work. Enhancements in CIM Database PLM include a redesigned Engineering Change Management. And CONTACT’s Software as a Service (SaaS) solution CIM Database Cloud now makes productive work even easier with a Microsoft Office for Web integration which enables document creation, editing, and sharing directly within the cloud client.
CONTACT’s project management software Project Office now offers improved performance for complex projects and increased usability, supporting occasional users even better in their work. Enhancements in CIM Database PLM include a redesigned Engineering Change Management. And CONTACT’s Software as a Service (SaaS) solution CIM Database Cloud now makes productive work even easier with a Microsoft Office for Web integration which enables document creation, editing, and sharing directly within the cloud client.
Flexible, scalable, and secure: CONTACT’s cloud offering for every need
The cloud in the industrial environment is also gaining momentum in Germany. CONTACT is addressing the growing demand with an extensive cloud offering and gives companies the freedom to choose the operating model that fits them best: CIM Database Cloud as a preconfigured, ready-to-run SaaS solution, a Platform as a Service (PaaS) option, a pure on-premises installation, or a hybrid model. The unique advantage: customers can change the operating model at any time.
The SaaS solution is hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Frankfurt, Germany, and is ready for use immediately after licensing. CONTACT also supports customer onboarding through its Customer Success Management team.
Flexible, scalable, and secure: CONTACT’s cloud offering for every need
The cloud in the industrial environment is also gaining momentum in Germany. CONTACT is addressing the growing demand with an extensive cloud offering and gives companies the freedom to choose the operating model that fits them best: CIM Database Cloud as a preconfigured, ready-to-run SaaS solution, a Platform as a Service (PaaS) option, a pure on-premises installation, or a hybrid model. The unique advantage: customers can change the operating model at any time.
The SaaS solution is hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Frankfurt, Germany, and is ready for use immediately after licensing. CONTACT also supports customer onboarding through its Customer Success Management team.
Flexible, scalable, and secure: CONTACT’s cloud offering for every need
The cloud in the industrial environment is also gaining momentum in Germany. CONTACT is addressing the growing demand with an extensive cloud offering and gives companies the freedom to choose the operating model that fits them best: CIM Database Cloud as a preconfigured, ready-to-run SaaS solution, a Platform as a Service (PaaS) option, a pure on-premises installation, or a hybrid model. The unique advantage: customers can change the operating model at any time.
The SaaS solution is hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Frankfurt, Germany, and is ready for use immediately after licensing. CONTACT also supports customer onboarding through its Customer Success Management team.
The PaaS offering targets enterprises that want to independently manage their installations – except for the infrastructure – as well as partner companies that develop their own solutions based on the platform. It offers all the tools, methods, and best practices for a modern DevOps process. If required, CONTACT can also take over application management for implementations. Regardless of the comprehensive cloud options, on-premises support is guaranteed for at least the next decade.
The PaaS offering targets enterprises that want to independently manage their installations – except for the infrastructure – as well as partner companies that develop their own solutions based on the platform. It offers all the tools, methods, and best practices for a modern DevOps process. If required, CONTACT can also take over application management for implementations. Regardless of the comprehensive cloud options, on-premises support is guaranteed for at least the next decade.
The PaaS offering targets enterprises that want to independently manage their installations – except for the infrastructure – as well as partner companies that develop their own solutions based on the platform. It offers all the tools, methods, and best practices for a modern DevOps process. If required, CONTACT can also take over application management for implementations. Regardless of the comprehensive cloud options, on-premises support is guaranteed for at least the next decade.
“This is my first time at Open World and I am very impressed by the scale of the event and the international presence.”
Bernhard Kintzi, Head of Master Data Management, ACPS Automotive GmbH
“The scale here is very impressive, as is CONTACT’s appearance. Everything feels very professional, very coherent and beautifully done.”
Peter Meyer, Account Manager, Zuken GmbH
“We are here because we wanted to hear from other CONTACT customers. The future looks really promising. The solutions that they are going to offer look good. Especially hearing from customers like PIA Automation was very helpful.”
Shivani Deshpande, Management Executive, Enpro Industries Pvt. Ltd.
Countering the shortage of skilled workers
It is becoming increasingly difficult for companies to find suitable skilled professionals. CONTACT discussed with experts from science and industry which paths can lead to success in the age of digitalization. Although AI is a powerful tool, it could not compensate for the shortage of engineers, noted Udo Lange from Capgemini. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rainer Stark from TU Berlin emphasized the need for companies to become more proactive in order to attract employees. Sigmar Haasis from HaasisDEC advocated for combining the strengths of younger with the experience of older people and stressed the need for courage. Alexander Stamm from MANN+HUMMEL remarked that the issue was not a lack of courage, but rather a lack of motivation. People were hungrier elsewhere. “Companies need to leave their comfort zone – but this requires clear objectives,” concluded Patrick Müller, Director Innovation Strategy at CONTACT.
Unlocking the potential of AI in engineering
One of the key statements by Chief Data Scientist Udo Göbel was that AI will not lead to mass layoffs but instead relieve employees of routine work through assistance systems, giving them more room for other tasks. In his panel, he presented CONTACT’s AI strategy and highlighted the major challenges companies are facing: defining appropriate use cases, training suitable models, and providing the required data. According to Göbel, over 90 percent of all planned AI projects failed due to a lack of data - hence, making as much data as possible available to AI is a key part of CONTATC's AI strategy. Further cornerstones of the strategy are secure data processing within the customer infrastructure and ensuring a high level of data governance. According to Göbel, PLM systems with deep integration capabilities such as CIM Database are crucial for using AI-supported assistance systems in a beneficial way. With the similarity search for CAD models and the global search for search queries in natural language, he also presented examples of CONTACT’s AI applications that will be integrated into the Elements platform.
Unlocking the potential of AI in engineering
One of the key statements by Chief Data Scientist Udo Göbel was that AI will not lead to mass layoffs but instead relieve employees of routine work through assistance systems, giving them more room for other tasks. In his panel, he presented CONTACT’s AI strategy and highlighted the major challenges companies are facing: defining appropriate use cases, training suitable models, and providing the required data. According to Göbel, over 90 percent of all planned AI projects failed due to a lack of data - hence, making as much data as possible available to AI is a key part of CONTATC's AI strategy. Further cornerstones of the strategy are secure data processing within the customer infrastructure and ensuring a high level of data governance. According to Göbel, PLM systems with deep integration capabilities such as CIM Database are crucial for using AI-supported assistance systems in a beneficial way. With the similarity search for CAD models and the global search for search queries in natural language, he also presented examples of CONTACT’s AI applications that will be integrated into the Elements platform.
Unlocking the potential of AI in engineering
One of the key statements by Chief Data Scientist Udo Göbel was that AI will not lead to mass layoffs but instead relieve employees of routine work through assistance systems, giving them more room for other tasks. In his panel, he presented CONTACT’s AI strategy and highlighted the major challenges companies are facing: defining appropriate use cases, training suitable models, and providing the required data. According to Göbel, over 90 percent of all planned AI projects failed due to a lack of data - hence, making as much data as possible available to AI is a key part of CONTATC's AI strategy. Further cornerstones of the strategy are secure data processing within the customer infrastructure and ensuring a high level of data governance. According to Göbel, PLM systems with deep integration capabilities such as CIM Database are crucial for using AI-supported assistance systems in a beneficial way. With the similarity search for CAD models and the global search for search queries in natural language, he also presented examples of CONTACT’s AI applications that will be integrated into the Elements platform.
Consistent data source for global collaboration
A hallmark of Open World are the practical insights from numerous customers into their digitalization projects. This year, PIA Automation Holding, a leading provider of production systems for eMobility, industrial and consumer goods, and healthcare, kicked off the presentations. PIA combines the activities of four formerly independent automation specialists from the U.S., Germany, Austria, and China. In his keynote, Co-CEO Thomas Ernst demonstrated how the company implemented CIM Database as a centralized data source. Although the project is not yet completed, it already yields significant benefits for the collaboration between the distributed locations in customer projects. His memorable appeal to the audience regarding digital transformation: “Don’t wait, others just do it!”
Consistent data source for global collaboration
A hallmark of Open World are the practical insights from numerous customers into their digitalization projects. This year, PIA Automation Holding, a leading provider of production systems for eMobility, industrial and consumer goods, and healthcare, kicked off the presentations. PIA combines the activities of four formerly independent automation specialists from the U.S., Germany, Austria, and China. In his keynote, Co-CEO Thomas Ernst demonstrated how the company implemented CIM Database as a centralized data source. Although the project is not yet completed, it already yields significant benefits for the collaboration between the distributed locations in customer projects. His memorable appeal to the audience regarding digital transformation: “Don’t wait, others just do it!”
Consistent data source for global collaboration
A hallmark of Open World are the practical insights from numerous customers into their digitalization projects. This year, PIA Automation Holding, a leading provider of production systems for eMobility, industrial and consumer goods, and healthcare, kicked off the presentations. PIA combines the activities of four formerly independent automation specialists from the U.S., Germany, Austria, and China. In his keynote, Co-CEO Thomas Ernst demonstrated how the company implemented CIM Database as a centralized data source. Although the project is not yet completed, it already yields significant benefits for the collaboration between the distributed locations in customer projects. His memorable appeal to the audience regarding digital transformation: “Don’t wait, others just do it!”
Developing better products faster
In the “Fast Forward Product Engineering” panel, well-known customers from the automotive industry showcased their digitalization projects to demonstrate how product development can be accelerated. Once again, the formative role of AI became clear: for example, it massively shortens the search for similar CAD components in the PLM system.
Automotive supplier Kiekert transitioned from a SharePoint-based issue management to CONTACT’s project management solution and introduced a stage-gate process. As a result, it is now much easier to track the maturity level of customer projects.
Woco Industrietechnik has integrated A-SPICE-compliant requirements management into CIM Database. All requirements are consolidated in the PLM system and linked to the system architecture.
Audi has optimized its simulation process chain with the support of CONTACT subsidiary CAIQ and can now order tools even before all real prototypes have been tested.
Developing better products faster
In the “Fast Forward Product Engineering” panel, well-known customers from the automotive industry showcased their digitalization projects to demonstrate how product development can be accelerated. Once again, the formative role of AI became clear: for example, it massively shortens the search for similar CAD components in the PLM system.
Automotive supplier Kiekert transitioned from a SharePoint-based issue management to CONTACT’s project management solution and introduced a stage-gate process. As a result, it is now much easier to track the maturity level of customer projects.
Woco Industrietechnik has integrated A-SPICE-compliant requirements management into CIM Database. All requirements are consolidated in the PLM system and linked to the system architecture.
Audi has optimized its simulation process chain with the support of CONTACT subsidiary CAIQ and can now order tools even before all real prototypes have been tested.
Developing better products faster
In the “Fast Forward Product Engineering” panel, well-known customers from the automotive industry showcased their digitalization projects to demonstrate how product development can be accelerated. Once again, the formative role of AI became clear: for example, it massively shortens the search for similar CAD components in the PLM system.
Automotive supplier Kiekert transitioned from a SharePoint-based issue management to CONTACT’s project management solution and introduced a stage-gate process. As a result, it is now much easier to track the maturity level of customer projects.
Woco Industrietechnik has integrated A-SPICE-compliant requirements management into CIM Database. All requirements are consolidated in the PLM system and linked to the system architecture.
Audi has optimized its simulation process chain with the support of CONTACT subsidiary CAIQ and can now order tools even before all real prototypes have been tested.
Best practices in digital transformation
PLM has long since assumed the role of the digital transformation backbone and a tool for management processes. Customer contributions in the “Best Practices of Digital Transformation” panel illustrated how companies can improve their internal processes, drive digitalization, and integrate their partners more efficiently by implementing PLM.
Huber+Suhner, a specialist for connectivity solutions, uses CIM Database alongside other enterprise applications and has thus laid the foundation for its extensive digitalization.
BASF Polyurethanes has expanded CIM Database with CONTACT’s Collaboration Portal to seamlessly share data with suppliers and obtain quotations from them.
Connection technology manufacturer Weidmüller Interface uses Universal Classification to improve product data management and more effectively serve various communication channels.
Best practices in digital transformation
PLM has long since assumed the role of the digital transformation backbone and a tool for management processes. Customer contributions in the “Best Practices of Digital Transformation” panel illustrated how companies can improve their internal processes, drive digitalization, and integrate their partners more efficiently by implementing PLM.
Huber+Suhner, a specialist for connectivity solutions, uses CIM Database alongside other enterprise applications and has thus laid the foundation for its extensive digitalization.
BASF Polyurethanes has expanded CIM Database with CONTACT’s Collaboration Portal to seamlessly share data with suppliers and obtain quotations from them.
Connection technology manufacturer Weidmüller Interface uses Universal Classification to improve product data management and more effectively serve various communication channels.
Best practices in digital transformation
PLM has long since assumed the role of the digital transformation backbone and a tool for management processes. Customer contributions in the “Best Practices of Digital Transformation” panel illustrated how companies can improve their internal processes, drive digitalization, and integrate their partners more efficiently by implementing PLM.
Huber+Suhner, a specialist for connectivity solutions, uses CIM Database alongside other enterprise applications and has thus laid the foundation for its extensive digitalization.
BASF Polyurethanes has expanded CIM Database with CONTACT’s Collaboration Portal to seamlessly share data with suppliers and obtain quotations from them.
Connection technology manufacturer Weidmüller Interface uses Universal Classification to improve product data management and more effectively serve various communication channels.
Global partner network as a growth engine
A novelty at this year’s event were the Guided Tours through the accompanying exhibition, covering topics such as AI or sustainability. The 38 participating partners from the U.S., Europe, India, South Korea, China, Japan, and Vietnam impressively demonstrated how CONTACT is consistently expanding its global ecosystem in order to continue its growth and assist customers worldwide in their digital transformation.
Combining artificial and human intelligence
CONTACT Open World 2024 was all about artificial intelligence and demonstrated vividly that AI is not just a trend, but a driving force of digital transformation. The keynote by science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar showed how important it is to strike a balance between technological innovation, human creativity, and common sense while outlining the potential risks of a “digital oracle”.
Combining artificial and human intelligence
CONTACT Open World 2024 was all about artificial intelligence and demonstrated vividly that AI is not just a trend, but a driving force of digital transformation. The keynote by science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar showed how important it is to strike a balance between technological innovation, human creativity, and common sense while outlining the potential risks of a “digital oracle”.
Combining artificial and human intelligence
CONTACT Open World 2024 was all about artificial intelligence and demonstrated vividly that AI is not just a trend, but a driving force of digital transformation. The keynote by science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar showed how important it is to strike a balance between technological innovation, human creativity, and common sense while outlining the potential risks of a “digital oracle”.
Author and AI expert Kenza Ait Si Abbou Lyadini made a plea for the value of human intelligence, as AI is useless without humans. She identified three skills that humans need in order to assert themselves in a future shaped by AI: emotional intelligence, tolerance for ambiguity, and analytical thinking.
A clear signal: the future belongs to those who use AI wisely – without losing sight of the human factor.
Author and AI expert Kenza Ait Si Abbou Lyadini made a plea for the value of human intelligence, as AI is useless without humans. She identified three skills that humans need in order to assert themselves in a future shaped by AI: emotional intelligence, tolerance for ambiguity, and analytical thinking.
A clear signal: the future belongs to those who use AI wisely – without losing sight of the human factor.
Author and AI expert Kenza Ait Si Abbou Lyadini made a plea for the value of human intelligence, as AI is useless without humans. She identified three skills that humans need in order to assert themselves in a future shaped by AI: emotional intelligence, tolerance for ambiguity, and analytical thinking.
A clear signal: the future belongs to those who use AI wisely – without losing sight of the human factor.
