{"id":162851,"date":"2026-05-13T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/?p=162851"},"modified":"2026-05-06T09:06:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T07:06:32","slug":"smart-industry-without-hype","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/smarte-industrie-ohne-hype\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart industry without the hype"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the increasing level of digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence, many tasks in the industrial sector can be carried out more efficiently, precisely and reliably. As a result, AI is also becoming a cornerstone of greater competitiveness, innovation and better decision-making in production thanks to faster, in-depth data analysis. AI solutions have already arrived in the German manufacturing industry, albeit still on a moderate scale at present. According to the Fraunhofer study \u201eArtificial Intelligence in Production\u201c (December 2024), around 30 percent of large companies with at least 500 employees use AI solutions. In medium-sized companies with 100 or more employees, the figure is currently around 16%. Areas of application include the control of production processes, quality control, internal logistics, maintenance and servicing as well as the optimization of production processes and the necessary innovations. An in-depth analysis shows that companies that are already using AI are also planning further applications. Once the necessary framework conditions have been created, the barriers to entry for further use cases drop significantly. The following section takes a closer look at which mature AI applications are already possible in industry and how companies can successfully take their first steps towards integrating AI into their own processes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use cases in the industry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Predictive maintenance:<\/strong> In predictive maintenance, AI can be used to analyze sensor data and other relevant information to determine the maintenance requirements of machines at an early stage and thus proactively schedule maintenance work. High data quality is important for meaningful forecasts. If this basis is in place, it is possible to predict in good time when a particular component is worn and should be replaced. Specialists can then order the necessary spare parts and plan and carry out maintenance before a fault occurs. Downtimes and high downtime costs are avoided and the service life of the machines is increased.\u00a0<\/p>

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Quality control:<\/strong> Another field of application for AI in industry is intelligent image processing systems that can be implemented with computer vision and software solutions such as SAP Digital Manufacturing. This AI-based image analysis supports quality control through visual inspection in manufacturing processes in order to automatically detect defects, for example at solder joints on products, in real time. In addition, AI assistants such as SAP Joule enable real-time defect detection by detecting anomalies in production data and warning of faulty batches.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Material requirements planning:<\/strong> The use of AI makes it possible to implement forward-looking material requirements planning. AI forecasts requirements based on historical consumption data and seasonal patterns. In this way, seasonal fluctuations are taken into account and problems are identified at an early stage to avoid supply bottlenecks. At the same time, companies can reduce unnecessary inventories and are more agile in relation to customers and dynamic markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0Logistics:<\/strong> In the logistics sector, AI can support companies with transport planning by calculating optimal transport routes based on real-time data. Incoming goods automation is also possible, with AI independently processing freight documents, thereby reducing manual input. AI can also be used to optimize storage space by using the technology in conjunction with warehouse management software such as SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) to support dynamic storage space allocation and improve pick and pack processes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optimization of repetitive tasks in sales and accounting: <\/strong>Since generative AI has impressive capabilities to process human language, AI assistants can also support sales professionals in the creation of quotations and orders to speed up repetitive tasks and reduce sources of error. AI can extract data from documents and automatically create orders in the administration system. It can also perform master data analyses and identify duplicates and incorrect master data to improve data quality. Automated invoice verification using natural language processing (NLP) models is also possible in order to reduce the amount of manual checking required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability management:<\/strong> As sustainability is becoming increasingly important for the public image of companies and with regard to reporting obligations due to legal frameworks such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), industrial companies can also use AI to make processes more efficient in this area. In combination with sustainability management software solutions such as SAP ESG Cockpit and Sustainability Control Tower, automated emissions allocation can be implemented. ESG reporting can also be significantly simplified with the help of automated text generation by AI assistants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best practices for first AI steps <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Formulate implementation goals: <\/strong>First of all, it is important to analyze your own business processes and formulate specific goals and value creation potential that are to be achieved with the introduction of AI. It is important that management closely involves its own employees in this process in order to identify the biggest challenges and cost drivers in day-to-day work and, in the next step, to clarify whether AI can meaningfully support the workforce. In this way, added value can be realistically defined as business goals that are tailored to the respective company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

pilot project:<\/strong> Once the goals and challenges have been defined, companies should set up a feasible and expandable pilot project. Topics that enable the workforce to effectively reduce the workload of repetitive, tedious and error-prone processes are ideal for this. This also ensures that employees are actively involved in the AI implementation and feel the benefits in their day-to-day work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional support:<\/strong> When choosing a service provider for the introduction of AI, companies should make sure that they not only have sound technical expertise, but are also very familiar with their specific industry requirements. A professional service provider accompanies the company throughout the entire transformation process, provides support with regard to the legal framework and organizational preparation and develops and implements individually tailored solutions in close cooperation with the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legal framework: <\/strong>The key requirements for an AI solution include security, compliance and data protection. Companies must check how their AI system is categorized and regulated under the EU AI Act and take appropriate measures. The EU AI Act provides for extensive documentation, monitoring and risk assessment obligations. Companies are also liable for AI decisions. Attention must be paid to the handling of the data collected as the basis for AI analyses so that it is stored and used in compliance with the GDPR. This includes the consent of potential data subjects as well as requirements for purpose limitation and data minimization and compliance with copyright law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organizational requirements:<\/strong> To prepare for the planned AI project, companies must make appropriate organizational preparations. This includes defining an AI strategy and governance with clear guidelines and responsibilities for the project. As AI changes workflows and roles, the corresponding processes need to be adapted. It is also crucial to create a high-quality data basis consisting of structured, up-to-date and complete data. After all, AI analyses and the automation processes based on them are only as good as the data on which they are based.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shaping change with employees: <\/strong>Employees use the new AI applications in their day-to-day work and are one of the main pillars of the project's success. It is important that fears of change are allayed and that the workforce is involved in the project at an early stage. In addition, training courses are needed to build up AI skills and a cultural change is required that promotes a willingness to learn and innovate, thus enabling the deployment and extensive use of AI by users in the first place. Internal structures should be created in which specialists can contribute new ideas and openly express feedback and criticism in order to effectively improve AI projects. At the same time, it is important to reduce resentment and work to convince people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantage of early action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The lead of industrial companies that use AI effectively in their processes over those that do not will increase.
will continue to grow in the future. In the face of challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers and increasing pressure on costs, innovation and speed, AI will become an essential tool for greater optimization, automation and speed. Companies that establish a future-proof data basis now and launch their first pilot projects can gain a clear competitive advantage. (Source: Convista)<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

AI gives companies tangible efficiency and competitive advantages -
\nif it is used strategically and is based on sound data. <\/p>","protected":false},"author":5821,"featured_media":162609,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[44440,4],"tags":[44449,44450,624,236],"coauthors":[44448],"class_list":["post-162851","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mag-26-05","category-management","tag-dsagvo","tag-eu-ai-act","tag-ki-joule","tag-sap","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":[],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista.jpg",1000,450,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-400x180.jpg",400,180,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-768x346.jpg",768,346,true],"large":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista.jpg",1000,450,false],"image-100":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-100x45.jpg",100,45,true],"image-480":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-480x216.jpg",480,216,true],"image-640":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-640x288.jpg",640,288,true],"image-720":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-720x324.jpg",720,324,true],"image-960":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-960x432.jpg",960,432,true],"image-1168":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista.jpg",1000,450,false],"image-1440":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista.jpg",1000,450,false],"image-1920":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista.jpg",1000,450,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista.jpg",1000,450,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista.jpg",1000,450,false],"trp-custom-language-flag":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-18x8.jpg",18,8,true],"bricks_large_16x9":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista.jpg",1000,450,false],"bricks_large":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista.jpg",1000,450,false],"bricks_large_square":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista.jpg",1000,450,false],"bricks_medium":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-600x270.jpg",600,270,true],"bricks_medium_square":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-600x450.jpg",600,450,true],"profile_24":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-24x24.jpg",24,24,true],"profile_48":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-48x48.jpg",48,48,true],"profile_96":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-96x96.jpg",96,96,true],"profile_150":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"profile_300":["https:\/\/e3mag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2605_bu_convista-300x300.jpg",300,300,true]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"

KI verschafft Unternehmen sp\u00fcrbare Effizienz- und Wettbewerbsvorteile \u2013
\nwenn sie strategisch eingesetzt wird und auf einer fundierten Datenbasis fu\u00dft. <\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"MAG 26-05<\/a>, Business-Management<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Heiko Schmidt, Convista","url":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/author\/heiko-schmidt\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162851","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5821"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=162851"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162851\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":162853,"href":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162851\/revisions\/162853"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/162609"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=162851"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=162851"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=162851"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e3mag.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=162851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}