Updated item study on digitalisation in mechanical engineering
How important will digital engineering be in the future? What are the latest developments, and what has changed since 2018? The updated study from item Industrietechnik GmbH turns the spotlight on digitalisation in mechanical engineering. The fact is, rapid implementation of projects still remains a top priority. At the same time, the ability to respond flexibly to changes at short notice is becoming increasingly important. Survey respondents therefore see process optimisation through digitalisation as a major opportunity for mechanical engineering. However, by their own admission, Germany lags somewhat behind the rest of Europe when it comes to digitalisation. In its study, item describes the effects of the digital revolution and offers solutions for meeting heightened demands.
The good news from the 2020 study is, just as in 2018, German companies consider themselves to be well positioned for the digital revolution. This can be seen by comparing the two studies with participants selected from the factory equipment and plant engineering sectors using identical criteria. In engineering, digitalised processes are now the expected standard, and with them comes a demand for faster project processing. At the same time, the requirements profile when it comes to the ideal engineering solution has also changed. Now, what matters most is the simplification of complex or time-consuming tasks, the straightforward integration of new tools into existing software solutions and further efficient additions to existing software programs.
The digital revolution in other European countries
One of the stand-out findings of the study is that companies in France and Germany rate their level of digitalisation as “average” or “somewhat poor” in a European industry comparison. Respondents from the Czech Republic, Spain and the United Kingdom feel their countries are in a better position for the digital revolution. This assessment was primarily based on aspects relating to generating competitive advantages. Approaches for improving working processes are also becoming increasingly important.
Effects on working processes
The workload for engineers and the importance of supporting tools are both likely to continue to increase going forward. As a result, the study indicates that new digital approaches for boosting work efficiency are playing an ever-greater role. The foundations must be laid so that the experts in the engineering departments can focus on complex issues. One option would be to transfer certain steps to specialised providers. Design engineers are forming a central interface in companies and should therefore be trained and supported accordingly.
How can companies successfully implement digital strategies and thus give themselves a competitive edge? Answers to this question, and a lot more information about the state of digitalisation in mechanical engineering can be found in the new study from item, which is available as a free download via https://digital-engineering.de.
Length: 3,186
Date: 8 December 2020
Photos: 3
Caption 1: In its new study, item highlights how increasing digitalisation is changing mechanical engineering and what requirements and concerns are emerging from the digital revolution– both in Germany and internationally.
Caption 2: Compared to 2018, the requirements profile when it comes to the ideal engineering solution has changed. What matters most now are the simplification of time-consuming tasks and the easy integration of new tools.
Caption 3: Comparing various European countries, respondents from the Czech Republic, Spain and the United Kingdom feel their countries are in a better position to deal with the digital revolution than those in Germany and France.
