UdZ 01.21

FOCUS – BEST PRACTICES 10 / UdZ 2-2021 the close collaboration with RWTH Aachen University within a cooperation agreement, which defines FIR as an affiliated institute of the University.In dialog with partners from industry andservices, FIR isactiveatmany interfaces inorder torecognize and exploit the opportunities of digitalization for industry in all facets. This includes numerous memberships in associations, for example in the German Logistics Association (BVL), the Club of Logistics , the Customer Service Association Germany (KVD) , or VDI, the Association of German Engineers. In order to allow the broadest possible target group to benefit from FIR ’s research results, transfer activities such as developing recommendations for action, guidelines, or specifications and standards are essential. For this reason, FIR closely collaborates with the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) e. V. and generates DIN standards and DIN SPECs. Smart Logistics Cluster: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Industry Since 2010, FIR , represented by Professor Volker Stich, has been heading the Smart Logistics Cluster on RWTH Aachen Campus . Here, visionary innovations for business models and applications to advance sustainable production and logistics are being developed, which impressively demonstrate the added value of close working relationships between industry and research. In a unique experimental environment offering access to a demonstration factory (Digital Experience Factory), innovation labs, and a theme park, scientists and industry representatives explore and test the potential of digitalization and interconnectedness. An innovative real-world production environment offers companies the opportunity to test the latest technologies and processes in a compact, yet realistic setting. This helps to quickly bring applications, business models, and products to market maturity, including through the development of prototypes into primotypes 2 . This results in extremely short paths from the idea to proof of effectiveness. The concept is fully in line with the new technology readiness “Learn From The Best.” levels, where the aim is to transfer new developments into prototypes and primotypes 2 within an experimental set-up so that they can be put to actual use in the field to provide proof of functionality. Opening up potential for application, the Smart Logistics Cluster closes the gap between the development of products and services and their market maturity. Forms of Collaboration With application-oriented research, FIR develops methods, structuring frameworks and applications for the further development of companies in the area of digital transformation. The involvement of companies as early as in the tendering phase and in the later implementation of projects ensures the practical relevance and the applicability of the latest knowledge in industry. Publicly Funded Projects The transfer of knowledge to industry is the goal of all our research activities. FIR is experienced in leveraging funding opportunities and adept at identifying the right program for a company. The federal and state governments are currently making special efforts to strengthen local economic competitiveness and, in addition to existing funding programs, have improved many funding opportunities and launched entirely new programs. The experts at FIR are well-informed about current funding opportunities and 2 These models, manufactured with tools close to series production, are not only used for pure functional validation and implement the concept of the "Minimum Viable Product". Customer feedback can be fed back during development, which significantly reduces implementation time at lower cost. Early failure and learning frommistakes have method in this approach. (Schuh et al. 2020, p. 41)