Header-Digitalisierung

Digitalization & Industrie 4.0
Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning: The digital transformation has long since arrived in mechanical engineering. However, the associated dynamics repeatedly present every company with the challenge of recognizing and successfully exploiting existing digitization potential.

Themenfeldgrafik Digitalisierung und Industrie 4.0

Empfehlung Bundestagswahl Infrastruktur

VDMA requirements for policy makersTIPP
The expansion of digital, energy, and transport infrastructure is crucial for maintaining competitiveness. The VDMA calls for better coordination between the federal and state governments to accelerate this process.

From our content

From our content
Four stages of digital transformation

Digital transformation is becoming a key issue for success in mechanical and plant engineering. The new short study "Success factors of digital business models" highlights options for action for companies.

Low-code - opportunities, challenges and application examples

The new white paper from VDMA Software and Digitalization is intended to provide member companies with guidance on how to become more familiar with the topic.

Artificial intelligence - Current activities

AI is playing an increasingly important role for companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector. VDMA Software and Digitalization is therefore once again offering an interesting range of formats on the topic for all VDMA members.

#HM25: Der Gemeinschaftsstand des VDMA Software und Digitalisierung

Erleben Sie die Zukunft des Maschinen- und Anlagenbaus! Besuchen Sie den Gemeinschaftsstand in Halle 15 F28 auf der Hannover Messe und entdecken Sie, wie digitale Softwarelösungen die produzierende Industrie revolutionieren!

OT-Risk Cookbook

The VDMA Industrial Security Working Group publishes the OT Risk Cookbook

Manufacturing-X at the Hannover Messe 2025

Find out where you can get information from the VDMA

Call for applications for "Allianz Industrie 4.0 AWARD Baden-Württemberg

We honor outstanding companies that demonstrate the innovative strength in Baden-Württemberg with excellent digitalization solutions, highly innovative developments and holistic transformation projects.

Baden-Württemberg joint stand: Innovations made in THE LÄND

In cooperation with Baden-Württemberg International, the Industry 4.0 Baden-Württemberg Alliance is once again participating with a joint stand in the Digital Ecosystems area. 25 exhibitors will present trend solutions for digitalization. Visit u

Interoperability live at bauma!

The VDMA Mining & Minerals OPC UA demonstrator at bauma 2025 is a fascinating example of how modern communication technologies can shape the future of mining.

Draft bill for the German national Data Act Implementation Act

The draft bill for the German national Data Act Implementation Act was published at the beginning of February. To effectively implement the Data Act the draft bill needs to be adopted rather sooner than later.

VDMA guidance on data sharing under the EU Data Act

The VDMA has developed a guidance to provide non-binding orientation on the data sharing obligations under the EU Data Act.

Innovation in service: From reactive to proactive service

The digitalization of the service business as the basis for future viability in mechanical and plant engineering.

VDMA Cyber Resilience Act webinar on 27.03.2025

The EU Cyber Resilience Act is one of the most important regulations for the mechanical engineering industry in the coming years. Find out about the dates, obligations and implementation proposals for the regulation, which will apply at the end of 2027.

Frugal innovation in mechanical and plant engineering

Not "cheap", but precisely high-quality and therefore "inexpensive". This offers the mechanical and plant engineering industry opportunities not only for new markets, but also for established ones.

Presentation forum for Machine Vision at the automatica – Call

The Vision Expert Huddles enable trade show visitors to engage with machine vision experts. Exhibitors at automatica and Laser World of Photonics with machine vision in their portfolio can participate with a talk. Application deadline: 02 May 2025.

Looking for a suitable wireless solution? The guide offers selection assistance

VDMA WCM is presenting the Wireless Communications Guide (WCG) at the Hannover Messe. This proves to be a practical tool for selecting industrial wireless technologies.

Looking for a suitable wireless solution? WCG offers selection help

VDMA WCM presents the Wireless Communications Guide (WCG) at the Hannover Messe. The WCG proves to be a practical tool for selecting industrial wireless technologies.

EU Commission publishes guidelines on prohibited AI systems

On February 4, 2025, the EU Commission published guidelines to provide an overview of the AI systems that have been banned in the EU since this February.

Smart manufacturing: the path to the future

The United States is expanding its manufacturing capabilities by investing in a network of institutes, each specializing in a specific area, for example technology or workforce development.

Focus on interoperability: umati at Hannover Messe 2025

At Hannover Messe (31 March to 4 April 2025), the umati initiative will once again be represented with its own stand in Hall 9, Stand F25.

Software Engineering - Current activities

The continuous development of software-based solutions enables companies to react more agilely to market changes and strengthens their competitive position.

Digitale Lösungen im und für den Maschinen- und Anlagenbau

Erleben Sie am 08.-09. Mai 2025 in Wien spannende Vorträge und Podiumsdiskussionen zu Digitalisierungslösungen im Maschinen- und Anlagenbau.

Manufacturing-X: Digital sovereignty for the success of industry

Hannover Messe will be a showcase for the digital data economy. In the Manufacturing-X forum, the VDMA will present trustworthy data rooms and innovative X projects from various industrial sectors.

Survey on awareness of Manufacturing-X in German industry

Take part in our survey and let us know what you know and think about Manufacturing-X and the opportunities of a data-driven ecosystem.

Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)

VDMA Power Systems is highlighting the topic of cyber security and the Cyber Resilience Act in this session of the event series "With new knowledge into 2025".

ISH 2025: New possibilities for building automation with BACnet/SC

SAUTER Germany and VDMA at the ISH 2025

IFFA TOP Topic: Creating value from data

Digitalization and AI are revolutionizing production processes. Real-time data analysis, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance ensure greater efficiency and customer benefits. Discover the future of meat and protein processing!

How does VDA 5050 work in detail?

Here you will find a detailed description of the VDA 5050 communication interface with a detailed example of communication between a master controller and a mobile robot.

Public data for agriculture, but without detours

Agriculture needs data, but not just any data, it needs easily accessible and well-connected data.

Conference Stage Motion & Drives at the Hannover Messe Hall 5 D32

The Motion & Drives Stage is the center for know-how transfer and networking in drive technology, pneumatics and hydraulics. Visitors, exhibitors and developers can find out about digitalization trends and exchange ideas with experts here.

Release FVA-Workbench 10: New functions for gearbox design

From 17 February 2025: Improved modelling, calculation and optimization of drive systems and transmission elements.

Standardization | Industry 4.0

Ensure safety and interoperability

Technology and research

Imparting technical knowledge – Experts advise you individually

RoX - Digital ecosystem for AI-based robotics

The joint project RoX is dedicated to building a digital ecosystem that enables the use of innovative AI-based robotic solutions in practice-relevant applications and industries.

Software development in the industry - status quo and outlook

Advancing digitalization has led to software no longer being seen as just a "tool", but as a decisive competitive advantage.

VDMA ART: OPC UA standard for optical sorters

With the aim of establishing an open standard for optical sorters, a kick-off meeting was held at VDMA Frankfurt on November 26, 2024.

Cyber Resilience Act comes into force - details have been finalized

New requirements apply to products with digital components. Manufacturers must now ensure cyber security throughout the entire product life cycle - even for integrated software! An update on responsibilities and deadlines.

Successful Road Show “Open Industry” in Brazil

Interoperability standards and federated data space structures play a crucial role in the context of digital transformation and Industry 4.0. The VDMA and its Brazilian partners organized a roadshow in Brazil on this topic.

Successful highlights and milestones in 2024

2024 was an eventful and successful year for the MII department. We achieved important milestones in various areas with and for our members.

Integration of real measurement data in simulations

Traditionally, simulations of transmission systems are based on idealized models that are based on nominal values.

AI can optimize the spare parts business

Anyone who needs a spare part is in a hurry. The part number is not always immediately to hand, especially when installed or under operating conditions.

CIRCO workshop series for mechanical and plant engineering

The workshop series of the Effizienz-Agentur NRW (efa) provides practical support for the NRW mechanical and plant engineering industry when entering into circular business models - this offers enormous potential even in times of crisis.

Risk of knowledge loss: Mechanical engineering in the fight against oblivion

What are the challenges for mechanical engineering due to generational change? What concrete methods and techniques are available for companies to combat the loss of knowledge? What does AI do for us?

Future makers: VDMA honors talents for digitalization in machinery

Digitalization is driving the mechanical and plant engineering industry forward. This innovative strength is also reflected in the theses submitted by graduates from Germany and Austria.

German Accessibility Strengthening Act and the engineering sector

From June 2025, new accessibility requirements will be imposed on products and services in accordance with the German Accessibility Strengthening Act. But is the law also relevant for mechanical and plant engineering?

Industrial & product security: complex, extensive, indispensable

On November 28, 2024, VDMA Austria held its annual exchange of experience on Industrial & Product Security in mechanical and plant engineering with 40 participants at the headquarters of the TGW Logistics Group in Marchtrenk.

Where does our industry stand? Results of the survey on the Data Act

The results of the VDMA-survey clearly show that there are still a lot of legal uncertainties regarding the implementation of the Data Act.

Research Guide Micro Technologies

We, the Micro Technologies department of VDMA EMINT, would like to create a research guide for our members with relevant research institutes from the world of microtechnology. The aim is to give our members an overview of the research landscape and thus an easy tool for finding potential project partners.

Carbon management through mechanical and plant engineering

Carbon management is a central key to achieving climate targets and highlights the important role of mechanical and plant engineering in implementing appropriate solutions.

Mechanical engineering in Baden-Württemberg: Resilient through crises

After the very weak economy in 2024, hopes are pinned on markets picking up in 2025 / Politicians must set business-friendly framework conditions

VDMA Magazin Teaser Digitalisierung & Industrie 4.0

Manufacturing-X: A data ecosystem for everyone
Manufacturing-X is a joint initiative of business, politics and science. Companies should be able to use data confidently and jointly across the entire manufacturing and supply chain.
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Our expert and focus topics

Our expert and focus topics
Manufacturing-X
Industry 4.0 needs easily available, secure and consistent data networking. Manufacturing-X is designed to make this possible. The goal is to establish a data ecosystem that enables trustworthy data exchange between companies based on open standards and offers companies digital sovereignty.
Artificial Intelligence
Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence and machine learning. At VDMA, there are already many organizational units that are examining the topic more closely. Here, you can gain some insight into all the activities that the VDMA is conducting on the topic of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.
Cybersecurity
When it comes to security at the VDMA, everything revolves around protecting machines and systems in production, manufacturing or intralogistics from attacks and disruptions. The aim of these organizational and technical protective measures is to develop cyber-resilient machines and systems and trustworthy services while reliably maintaining their permanent operation.
EU Data Act
The EU Data Act reorganises data traffic between companies. The aim of the European Commission is to promote the creation of data spaces in Europe and enable new digital business models. The consequences are far-reaching and represent both an opportunity and a risk.
Platform economy
The mechanical engineering industry is successfully advancing the digital transformation. So far, this has primarily concerned manufacturing, but in the future it will also involve new business models. Digital platforms and the associated platform economy are going to play an ever more prominent role, and value creation in the mechanical engineering industry is increasingly taking place via digital services.
OPC UA
As an open interface standard, OPC UA is a central prerequisite for the successful introduction of Industrie 4.0 in production. OPC UA ensures the interoperability of machines and systems, which can be linked and redesigned as required via Plug & Work - platform-independent and cross-manufacturer.
Wireless Communications
Reliable, robust and secure data transmission is at the heart of digital transformation in industry. With increasing digitization, data transmission is becoming more and more the central nervous system in industrial application areas where wired infrastructure is sometimes reaching its limits.
The INDUSTRY PODCAST of the VDMA
The audio blog for trend topics from mechanical and plant engineering
Interoperability
Interoperability is a key pillar of efficient digital transformation and the long-term positioning of every company in the global market, as information can only be shared and utilised easily, securely and at scale through interoperably designed value chains and data ecosystems.
AGV Mesh-Up
The AGV Mesh-Up is a live test event for the VDA 5050 communication interface. Companies can test the interface suitability of their vehicles and master control systems in front of an audience.
Intelligent Production
Industry 4.0 necessitates changes at all corporate levels and throughout the entire value chain. Industry 4.0 is associated with a new way of thinking about the organization of processes. Ultimately, what counts for companies is creating added value.

Level 1 Themenwolke

Podigee

To the point

To the point

Auf den Punkt Zitat Digitalization

"The EU Data Act is probably one of the most complex legislative projects of recent times."

Jan Paul Marschollek, VDMA Legal Department

Auf den Punkt Zahl Digitalization

4.1

billion euros

in total losses were incurred by the mechanical and plant engineering industry due to illegal replicas, copies or other plagiarism.

Source: VDMA

Auf den Punkt Zusammenfassung Digitalisierung

Summary
Whitepaper "Platform Economy": Achieving greater sales success with the monetisation canvas
The monetisation canvas
  • supports the process of market evaluation and pricing for digital service offerings
  • assists companies in analysing and evaluating internal factors associated with a digital business model and requiring corresponding process maturity

VdmaSambaEvents

Events

Thu. 08.05.25 Fri. 09.05.25

  • Digitalization & Industrie 4.0
  • Software and Digitalization
  • Digital Transformation
  • Artificial Intelligence

Digitalization in mechanical and plant engineering is increasingly shaping the industry, offering numerous advantages, including greater flexibility, increased competitiveness, and the opening of new business areas. The consideration of sustainable and resource-saving processes is also underway. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to accelerate these processes and create new opportunities; however, it also poses significant challenges. To address these challenges and showcase best practices in digital transformation, VDMA Software and Digitalization, in collaboration with VDMA Austria, is organizing the "Digital Solutions for Mechanical and Plant Engineering" congress. This event, scheduled for May 8-9, 2025, at the Novotel Wien Hauptbahnhof, will feature keynote presentations and panel discussions that explore cutting-edge digitalization solutions for the mechanical and plant engineering sector. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with managing directors and executives from companies in the mechanical and plant engineering, software, and digitalization industries, thereby deriving benefit from their experience and expertise.

Places available

Aus unseren Inhalten

Our services

Our services
Publication overview Software and Digitalization
Our publications deal with various aspects of digitalization in mechanical engineering companies as well as cybersecurity and information security and serve as recommendations for action.
Consultation offer Digitization and Industry 4.0
The competence overview for mechanical and plant engineering regarding the range of consulting offered by software manufacturers. This enables companies to pinpoint appropriate first steps in addressing the respective issues within their value chain, and to utilize this expertise in finding their own individual path toward digitalization and Industry 4.0.
Database OPC UA Companion Specifications
In our database you can find all Companion Specifications created by VDMA working groups. The entries can be browsed, filtered by output period and downloaded as an Excel file.
Online Library Digitalization & Industrie 4.0
The VDMA accompanies and supports its members on the way to Industrie 4.0. Here you will find an overview of the current publications on the topic.
Working Groups Software and Digitalization and Information technology
Our working groups deal with various aspects of digitalization in mechanical engineering companies, standardization aspects and serve the intensive exchange of experience among members.
Expert Group Machine Learning
Among other things, the VDMA committee develops Use Cases on the topic of Machine Learning.
40 OPC UA working groups
The VDMA coordinates the activities of around 40 working groups that are defining a common, cross-industry language between machines and plants in the form of "OPC UA Companion Specifications".

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Committees

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VDMA partners

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Plattform Industrie 4.0
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Allianz Industrie 4.0 Baden-Württemberg
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Labs Network Industrie 4.0
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Maschinenbau-Institut

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Benefits for you as a member

Largest industry network in Europe

3,600 primarily medium-sized member companies in the capital goods industry make the VDMA the largest industrial association in Europe and the most important network organization in the industry.

Strong representation of interests

The VDMA is the most important voice of the machinery and equipment manufacturing industry. It represents the common economic, technical and scientific interests of the industry in Germany and around the world.

A wide range of services

More than 500 VDMA employees worldwide support you with practical services to make the right decisions in your company - along the entire value chain.