Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology

Engineering of Systems

In the digital age, business models are no longer based solely on the sale of tangible products. Intelligent networking of products and the improved possibilities for accessing data that a product generates and carries with it during its lifecycle are creating a wide range of opportunities for new business models. For example, machine manufacturers are no longer limited to selling a piece of equipment, but could offer a range of services to go with it, such as flexible maintenance and repair services based on online condition monitoring. We offer companies technologies and methods for designing a highly individualized range of products and services in order to lead the market with new value creation models.

Case Study T-Systems: Planning a Digital Railroad Signaling Infrastructure With MBSE Methods and Tools

Challenge, joint work and solution

For a leading Swiss railway company, an overview of the necessary systems and their dependencies was to be created to design the architecture of a future “digital signal box” and its environment. The focus was to be on the analysis of the required functionalities – not yet on the technical implementation.

The architecture should be developed in a model-based way using model-based systems engineering (MBSE). This should ensure that, at the end of the process, it is possible to trace all the development steps from the created element back to the interview partner who made the request.

Donwload T-Systems Case Study

Data-driven business models

The strategic concept behind smart products and smart services is to generate marketable added value from product data that exists a priori. In this way, new business models can be derived from data generated during the development and manufacture of products or information collected and disseminated by the product in use. As a company, you are thus in a position to address customer needs with innovative services. We help you to derive new data-driven value creation models from heterogeneous data sources.

Development methods for smart products and smart services

What is necessary to place an innovative service offering on the market? Which products are suitable for this, and which services do they have to be surrounded by? What needs to be newly developed and where can existing infrastructures be used? To find out, we offer methodological support and specialist know-how - from the business model to technological implementation.

Services as enablers for digital R&D processes

The implementation of new value creation models based on digitization and networking makes it necessary for companies to change established structures - especially in the areas of resources, information systems, organizational structures and corporate cultures. We support you in analyzing the corresponding requirements in your company and in formulating company-specific action strategies. In addition, we work with you to implement services company-wide.