Enterprise 4.0

CLUSTERIX 2.0 good practices relate to the questions: How can clusters be used to (1) better implement RIS3, (2) introduce now innovation models (e.g. digital transformation, new innovation management tools, dev. of new business models, etc.). “Enterprise 4.0” is an example for a cluster supporting companies in digital transformation. The project was initiated by the Mechatronics-Cluster in Lower Austria in 2015 starting from the common understanding that the digital transformation process is underway in many companies, there is a lot of related research know-how available in the region and at the same time, there is a need for mutual learning and exchange of experience, a more systematic collaboration with researchers and “hands on” experimenting and testing. The project team consists of 11 companies (leading companies in its (niche-) market, no direct competitors), R&D institutes from the region but also abroad, and intermediaries facilitating the cooperation. Each company defined its own “use case” of introducing a new process or tool and benefits from the collaboration with researches and students involved in the project and finally yet importantly, from the trustful exchange with other companies that emerged with the help of the project. The learnings in the project are reported back to the regional policy maker and intermediaries enabling better understanding of companies’ requirements and resulting in eg. qualification offers, research priorities or cluster activities.