Supply chain management covers the material and information flows of the entire supply chain from the raw material supplier to the end customer. The overall process should be designed in a way that optimizes time and costs. Are your company processes optimally integrated into the supply chain and coordinated with your partners? Are your internal processes and capacities ideally coordinated and your procurement and distribution channels strategically selected?

Our employees examine your cross-company strategic and operational processes along the entire value chain. Together with you, we develop a successful supply chain strategy, sustainable procurement strategies and optimal supplier management. Furthermore, we support you in planning inventories and capacities and create forecasts for future requirements.

Supply Chain Design

Supply Chain Design aims at an efficient and cost-optimized overall system that has to be continuously adapted to the current market conditions. Possibilities for improvement range from a sophisticated logistics strategy and an optimal logistics network to the optimization of processes in procurement, production, distribution and transport. Cost efficiency, flexibility, security and sustainability are among the main aspects that make up a future-proof supply chain.

Networks

Optimizing the network structures of your supply chain can make a significant contribution to the success of your company. Historically grown location structures often result in a complex network. We create the necessary transparency in your network and work out solutions with you, e.g. by reducing the complexity of your production program and the entire production process with subsequent complexity control. We take a close look at your site structure and plan your network in a cost- and service-oriented way. In doing so, we use selected tools to support the location decision.

Transport management

Transport management deals with the flow of goods between network partners. In addition to optimizing the network structure, there are a number of measures for optimizing transport activities or transport costs. Aspects such as increasing infrastructure bottlenecks or rising fuel prices demand long-term measures in transport management. We work with you to streamline transport-related processes and analyze your entire transport system. An analysis of transport modes, the optimal bundling of transports or the development of intermodal transport chains, for example, can lead to considerable cost savings.

Today, ecological aspects also play a special role in network design. Here, new considerations must be made in order to bring both political requirements and the company's own interests into economic harmony.

The foundation course for efficient logistics is the holistic planning of value-added processes. We improve your logistics with a view to current market developments or optimize individual process steps. Can your logistics processes be efficiently embedded in the entire supply chain or is there a need for optimization here? We are happy to support you in analyzing and optimizing your logistics.

Strategic planning

When planning and optimizing your logistics processes, strategy and the goals of your company play an important role. Do you want to optimally adapt your corporate strategy to the current market conditions? We take into account the strategic objectives of your company as well as the entire supply chain and develop a sustainable corporate strategy together with you.

Process analysis, value stream design

Lean logistics processes lead to short lead times in production and serve an efficient and flexible product manufacturing. Logistics processes must be continuously reviewed and adapted to ensure long-term business success. Are your logistics processes aligned and do they meet the high demands of customer requirements? We examine your entire value-added process and synchronize your internal and external interfaces.

Structural planning

Structural planning includes the site organization of your company as well as the structure of the supply chain. Using individual methods, our team analyzes your supply chain and advises you on the effectiveness and efficiency of your own site structure and the design of your value chain. We support you in deciding on the location of newly planned production and warehouse buildings, taking into account your distribution strategy.

The goal of structural planning is to harmonize processes within the supply chain, improve performance, create tractable organizational units, and increase flexibility and adaptability.

Historically grown structures often lead to an unnecessary complexity of the logistics network. We support you in reducing and mastering this complexity by analyzing your entire flow of goods and uncovering obstacles.

System planning

Factory and material flow planning play a central role in system planning. We survey your material flow processes, uncover bottlenecks and design your system holistically. In doing so, we determine the appropriate processes, technical solutions and an optimal layout arrangement. Would you like to redesign your warehouse, reduce throughput times and increase your company's productivity? We systematically develop an individual concept for efficient logistics with you.

With our Multimodal Check, we offer you an effective procedure for analyzing your transports. With it, we show you the advantages of alternative modes of transport.

Many industrial and trading companies still primarily choose the truck as their only means of transport. High flexibility and relatively low costs are among the said advantages of road transport. However, there are also more and more disadvantages associated with the truck, such as the increase in traffic jams and disruptions like road works on highways, the high shortage of drivers and increasing gasoline and toll costs.

Nowadays, combined transport offers a very effective alternative to pure truck transport. It is even often cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Together with you, we will find promising shipments to shift your transports through our Multimodal Check.

Our check model in 5 steps

Data collection

• Determination of general conditions
• Acquisition of transport data
• Data preparation and processing

Data analysis

• Shipment structure analysis
• ABC/XYZ analysis

Potential determination

• Transport shifting
• Transport bundling
• Organizational measures

Evaluation

• Ecological evaluation
• Economic evaluation

Implementation of measures

• Implementation tests
• Implementation of the selected solution

Your advantages

• Cost reduction
• Reduction of emissions
• Corporate management with foresight
• Long-term success
• Risk minimization

Our motivation

We are motivated to work with you to optimize your transport and logistics processes while promoting the sustainable development of your company. Ecological and social aspects are becoming increasingly economically relevant. For us, project success does not mean to show theoretical savings but to achieve practical implementation of measures.

We check your transport activities and analyze how a shift from road to environmentally friendly modes of transport can lead to cost and emission savings. This measure contains a large potential for greenhouse gas savings. Here, we draw on our practical experience in the transportation industry. In general, the measure shows that rail and inland waterway transport emit considerably less emissions in practical application than truck-only transport.

Method Development Supply Chain Engineering of Source Processes

For the Supply chain engineering of the procurement processes (source) the SCOR model is increasingly used in practice. With this model all subprocesses of the entire procurement process are determined from the order up to the purchase invoice. The transparency created in this way allows processes to be analyzed both individually and as a whole, and subsequently optimized.

Supplier Relationship Management

Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) focuses on establishing and maintaining supplier relationships and aims to achieve strategic competitive advantages. Areas of activity in SRM include the targeted maintenance of supplier relationships, contract management, outsourcing decisions, collaborative procurement planning and supplier evaluations. We will be happy to advise you on this.

Supply Chain Risk Management

There are countless risks that threaten your company on the supplier side, be it a production stop due to technical problems at the supplier, image damage due to poor working conditions at the supplier or the loss of intellectual property due to industrial espionage.

In a world that is becoming more and more complex, purchasing not only has the task of procuring the required goods at the right time, in the right quality and at the right price, but also of taking potential risks into account.

Is your purchasing department supported by a supply chain risk manager? Do you know your strategic and operational risks? Do you already know how to counter these risks? We would be happy to support you in identifying and assessing your risks and advise you on possible measures to actively counter these risks.

Multidimensional Best Cost Country Analysis

The multidimensional Best Cost Country Analysis aims at the selection of the optimal procurement market. This is necessary in order to withstand the ever increasing competitive pressure. With the determination not only the direct product price, but the TCO approach is selected. Quality assurance, coordination effort, innovation effort, know-how protection and customer sensitivity are just some of the variables to be considered.

Cost management along the supply chain

Comprehensive cost management along the supply chain is becoming increasingly important. It determines all costs incurred in the supply chain in order to subsequently analyze and optimize them. This is indispensable both to remain competitive on the market and, based on the demand and analysis of the buyers, to recalculate the costs incurred in the supplier's supply chain for comparisons and negotiations.

The GEMIT Institute carries out market studies and market research in the field of logistics for you. From our consulting network consisting of professors, scientists, students and partners we can put together an ideal team, adapted to your needs. Your request can also be handled by bachelor or master theses with competent coaching. Whether qualitative or quantitative market research, forecasting models, SWOT analyses or customer surveys. We are happy to advise you.

Future scenarios

Reliable forecasts are becoming increasingly important for companies in the logistics environment. We create customized forecast models with you and determine the logistical methods as well as input variables. You receive reliable forecasts for the future development of your company and its general conditions.

How will the traffic volume on road, rail or waterway develop and what does the development mean for my company? Does it make sense to shift my products to other modes of transport? Which new technologies can make my business processes more efficient today and in the future? How will "green logistics" influence my company processes in the future? Be prepared, we will support you.

Trend research

The development of external factors such as politics, market and society influence companies immensely. Planning cycles are becoming shorter and shorter, so companies cannot afford to miss important trends. Logistics is also adapting to these influencing factors and developing innovative solutions. Current megatrends such as ecological and social trading, cooperation or the sharing economy play a central role in all industries today. The long-term survival of our customers and partners in upcoming turbulent times is particularly close to our hearts. Are you interested in the latest trends in logistics? We conduct trend analyses for you to determine which trends you should not miss under any circumstances.

In recent years, social media have also attracted the interest of companies due to their resounding spread in the private sector. The potential to reach desired target groups via these new channels on the web is huge. In particular, the target group of "digital natives," i.e., young people who have grown up with digital media and have integrated them into their everyday lives, are represented here, making Facebook, YouTube and the like valuable for HR marketing. However, social media are not self-propelling and must be used correctly as tools in order to ultimately benefit from these new communication channels.

The communication of the employer brand in social media requires a different approach than the classic channels. This is because they are characterized by a high level of dynamism and their own requirements profile on the part of the target group.

We help you to get an overview of the social media landscape, to use it to your advantage for recruiting and employer branding and to adapt your appearance to the requirements of the environment right from the start. In addition, we discuss the risks with you and create appropriate response measures based on scenarios within a social media strategy tailored to your needs.

Our services at a glance:

Feasibility analysis and target parameters

• Individual selection of the social media platform(s) suitable for you
• Creation of a social media strategy customized for your company
• Implementation of the social media strategy
• Change management

The company's own further development via training courses and seminars is always a criterion for employer attractiveness for potential applications. In addition, due to demographic change, qualified employees and their knowledge will become more valuable in the future than they already are. This impending shortage will mean that the tasks to be mastered will become more demanding. In order to meet these challenges, the company's own employees must be appropriately qualified; lifelong learning is the main focus here.

To meet this need, new technologies can be used in addition to eLearning and blended learning concepts. For example, platforms from the social media/Web 2.0 environment offer the possibility of setting up a social learning/eLearning 2.0 environment, which is characterized in particular by its collaborative learning character. Learners can organize themselves into learning groups, collaborate online, and post their own learning content as text, presentation, podcast, video, or mashup in accordance with the Web 2.0 participatory concept.

In addition, due to the ever-increasing spread of app-enabled mobile devices, e.g., smartphones and tablet PCs, mobile learning concepts also present themselves in this context, which can be used to supplement and support the already established continuing education measures. Didactically adapted to the characteristics and usage profiles of these devices, learning content and information can be accessed and processed during latency periods (e.g. travel, breaks, waiting times, etc.) or directly on-the-job.

Our services at a glance:

• Creation of a social or mobile learning concept
• Implementation of learning concepts
• Comparison and selection of learning systems
• Scientific support of eLearning projects
• Change Management

Here you will find an article on the topic of HR and AI.

Business processes are the core of every company. They define the performance, flexibility and agility with which you compete against your competitors. The recording and management of business processes makes it possible to specifically identify weak points, eliminate them or substitute them with more efficient/effective processes and thus strengthen the company from within. In addition, a targeted software selection and adaptation can be made during the introduction to business process supporting IT.

The GEMIT institute helps you to identify and prioritize your business processes and to identify deficits with comprehensive know-how from professors and academic staff. Based on the results, we create an individual recommendation for action with procedures for optimizing your business processes and support you during implementation, if required.

Our services at a glance:

• Analysis and documentation of business processes
• Creation of an individual recommendation for action for business process optimization
• Creation of individual concepts for business process management
• Scientific support for business process optimization
• Change management

The market for cell phones is currently being driven to a large extent by powerful smartphones, the spread of which is increasing rapidly, and not only in Germany. Parallel to this, mobile access to the Internet is also on the rise. More and more people are doing business on the move, comparing prices on the spot using mobile apps, and using QR codes to call up information. The mobile web has thus become a second, strong pillar for eCommerce. In this context, user requirements mean that it is not enough to make the existing Internet presence also mobile accessible, because at the latest since the breakthrough of the iPhone, users have become accustomed to a high usability quality that cannot be achieved with websites optimized for desktop computers and large monitors.

The GEMIT institute helps you to get to know the possibilities of the mobile internet, whether WebApps, native apps, QR codes and augmented reality. We accompany you as a neutral and scientific partner in the creation and implementation of mobile business scenarios.

Our services at a glance:

• Analysis and consulting for individual mobile business scenarios
• Planning and execution of usability tests for mobile websites and applications
• Scientific support during the implementation of mobile business scenarios
• change management

Whether off-the-shelf software, individual developments, customizing of standard applications or services from the cloud, with regard to competitive pressure, business processes can hardly do without IT support for reasons of efficiency and effectiveness. The ideal solution for the introduction to new software depends primarily on the orientation of one's own company, and each of the options mentioned harbors its own advantages and disadvantages. In addition, there is the complexity of implementation projects, because new applications must also fit into the existing IT structure and interoperability as well as compatibility must be ensured.

The GEMIT institute accompanies you as a vendor-independent and scientific partner in the requirements analysis, selection and introduction to new application software in your company.

Our services at a glance:

• Requirements analysis for application software
• Individual consulting and decision support regarding application software suitable for you
• Scientific support during the introduction to application software
• change management

The GEMIT institute can support your company in setting up a backup of your business-critical data.

The backup follows the SeCloud concept developed at the Hochschule Niederrhein. After setup on a special appliance tailored to your business processes, the data backup is automated and requires no effort in your company.

The setup includes a consulting service by the GEMIT institute, which can be financed up to 80% by the state of NRW, depending on the size of the company. You will be supported by the university in the application and processing.

The consulting service is around 5000 €, up to 4000 € can be covered by the state of NRW in individual cases. The appliance can be estimated with expenditures up to 500 €.

Further information is compiled in the consulting offer (link below).

Profile

In the Realise-Bio project, experienced partners will provide decisive impetus for the realization of a circular bioeconomy and circular economy in the programme area in order to make the Germany-Netherlands border region greener and more liveable and to address regional global challenges such as climate change. The concept of the bioeconomy is based, among other things, on the use of biogenic raw materials, which are produced on a large scale in the border region, particularly in the form of residual and side streams, but have so far been used too little in a circular sense.

The most important instrument for implementation is at least eight model projects, which are awarded to German-Dutch consortia. Realise-Bio identifies and activates new and known players as regionally as possible, in a targeted and low-threshold manner. This is done through a strong communication activity and through events that are distributed across the INTERREG region for better coverage. Realise-Bio enables its model projects to overcome the "valley of death" for their innovations from the circular bioeconomy with a TRL of 5 to 7 and to bring recyclable products to the market through funding and intensive technical support.

All model partners are involved in the technical coaching of the model projects in order to identify potential hurdles and opportunities

and to provide a comprehensive view of the sustainability of the innovation. The competencies of the project partners, which include areas such as logistics, life cycle analysis or analysis of market entry barriers, complement each other. General recommendations for action are derived from overcoming these exemplary challenges and tools are created that prepare the findings for a much larger group of stakeholders and make them usable.
Realise-Bio thus makes a decisive contribution to the realization of the circular bioeconomy and circular economy in the German-Dutch border region.

Funding institution

Interreg VI Germany - Netherlands

Partners

Clib 2021, Brightlands, Venray, USV Agrar, competence centre 3N, lltb, AMI, HSNR

Duration

01.2023 - 12.2025

Transfer networkto acceleratethe industrialbioeconomy

Over 20 stakeholders from the industrial bioeconomy's model regions are pooling their expertise in the nationwide TransBIB funding project. Their goal: to accelerate Germany's transformation to an industrial bioeconomy. The project is being sponsored by the BMWK with EUR 5.6 million.

The bioeconomy concept aims to reduce dependence on non-renewable raw materials and instead rely on biological, renewable resources and biogenic residues. The approach combines ecological sustainability with economic growth. Innovations in the fields of biotechnology, green chemistry and the sustainable use of resources play an important role here.
However, the transfer of bioeconomic developments from research laboratories to industrial production is progressing very slowly. Promising bioeconomic solutions are already available in Germany today, but are often not ready for industrial production. Biotechnological innovations that have been successfully developed in the laboratory must first be validated in an industry-oriented environment before production can be scaled up and market acceptance can be generated with a corresponding willingness to invest. As the test environment required for this, e.g. the construction of demonstration plants, is very cost-intensive and associated with technical and regulatory challenges, experts refer to this phase of the technology maturity model as the 'Valley of Death'.

The aim of the nationwide TransBIB funding project is to accelerate the transfer and scaling of bioeconomic innovations :

• Networking bioeconomy players "bottom-up" across Germany
  The TransBIB transfer network links the example regions of the industrial bioeconomy and pools expertise in research, industry and politics in order to make scalable bioeconomy technologies accessible to industry "bottom-up" more quickly.
• Inventory for the "one-stop store" bioeconomy
  Knowledge on the bioeconomy has so far been very scattered and fragmented. TransBIB is therefore conducting a Germany-wide inventory of industrial sites and databases in order to subsequently bundle them in a new "one-stop store"
• Prediction and evaluation of new bio-based value chains
  New bio-based value chains are needed to achieve independence from oil. To this end, a digital tool is used to digitally record material flows in the sample regions, make them usable and thus develop new value creation networks. These will then be evaluated in terms of their feasibility and sustainability and proposed to the example regions for implementation
• Easy access to regulatory and certification issues
  As part of TransBIB, easy access to regulatory issues and certification for companies will be provided and proposals for their simplification will be developed.
• Training the specialists of the future
  The transition of the economy to bio-based circular systems requires new skills for industry specialists. TransBIB is therefore developing future-oriented training concepts to counteract a shortage of skilled workers in Germany.

The "TransBIB" project is sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) as part of the "Directive to promote the use and construction of demonstration plants and model regions for the industrial bioeconomy" with a total of over €5.6 million. The project sponsor is VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH. The first funding period will run for 36 months from October 2023 to September 2026. The TransBIB consortium consists of 14 partner organizations, including universities, research institutes, innovation clusters and regional development companies as well as other associated partners and subcontractors. The joint project is headed by Dr. Matthias S. Scholz at the Technical University of Munich.

TransBIB@Hochschule Niederrhein

The GEMIT institute, under the direction of Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Holger Beckmann and the collaboration of Raphael Heereman, M.Sc. as part of the TransBib research project, is conducting comprehensive research into existing digital bioeconomy databases and tools. The focus is on the topicality, subject matter, scope and usability of databases in the field of biotechnology. The added value of integration is presented in five expert interviews. Together with CLIB, a presentation system for the "bioeconomy data one-stop store" will be created. The CCB will be supported in embedding the data in the VCG. An online validation workshop will be conducted together with BCS. Two stakeholder engagement formats will be conducted together with BCS for database owners to ensure data standards and update data.

LOGWear - Use of wearables to optimize logistical processes

Brief description:
Optimization of logistical processes in exemplary use of wearables in pilot projects and creation of a database to support the selection of suitable wearables.

Concept and project goals:
Wearables (portable computer systems) offer more and more opportunities for companies to optimize their logistical processes with regard to e.g. efficiency increases, error reductions and / or a more economical and safe way of working. The LOGwear project offers companies the opportunity to have their processes analyzed and thus receive a recommendation regarding the optimal use of wearables in their processes. As part of the project, some partner companies will optimize a specific logistics process by integrating one or more wearables, from the design phase through to the test phase in a practical environment with prototypes.
The aim is also to use a tool to enable companies to individually assess the extent to which their own processes can be improved with the help of wearables. Support is also provided for the implementation of a wearable solution.

Duration: March 2015 - Dec. 2018

Project partners:

-Lead partner: Fontys University of Applied Sciences for Technology and Logistics in Venlo
- FAST institute , The Hochschule Niederrhein
- Helmut Beyers GmbH (Mönchengladbach)
- KLG Europe B.V. Venlo
- imat-uve gmbh (Mönchengladbach)

Future location VeNeTe in Nettetal
Potential analysis and recommendations for a business park with rail siding

Project duration: Oct. 2015 - Feb. 2016

Initial situation
The cities of Venlo(NL) Nettetal(D) and Tegelen(NL) drew up the VeNeTe master plan back in the late 1990s. This plan still serves the cross-border development of transport, commerce, housing and nature. The new VeNeTe business park in Nettetal is a major project of this master plan. Since 2012, commercial space has been developed on a total area of around 77 hectares in Nettetal. The area offers the promising option of establishing itself as a business park with a logistics function thanks to its direct highway access and a rail connection in the immediate vicinity.

In this context, there is an opportunity to reactivate the Kaldenkirchen freight station, which has been largely disused since the early 1990s. The short distance between the freight station and the VeNeTe business park means that the location factor "rail" can benefit the commercial/industrial area and contribute to the attractiveness of the business park.

Objective
Based on the facts described above, the GEMIT institute was commissioned with the study "Future location VeNeTe in Nettetal - potential analysis and recommendations for a business park with a rail connection".

The aim was to analyze how the VeNeTe business park could be developed into a promising location in conjunction with the Kaldenkirchen freight station and in combination with the regional industry and infrastructure. The location factor "rail" was the focus of the investigations.

Procedure and results
To begin with, a structural analysis was carried out to collect data and information on the infrastructure and industry structures in the area surrounding VeNeTe. On the one hand, the high density of bi- and trimodal transshipment hubs was identified and, on the other hand, the main industries in the border region were analyzed.

This was followed by benchmarking, i.e. a comprehensive comparison of the current situation using external information and key figures. Very good performance and practices of other business parks were examined. The focus was on logistics business parks and freight villages from which best practice examples were filtered out and examined more closely. In addition, some bad experiences from the past of existing business parks were highlighted, which served as support for the development of the VeNete location.

Based on the knowledge gained, potentials and recommendations for action for the VeNeTe business park were identified and described. The focus was on recommendations for a future settlement structure and the significance of the Kaldenkirchen freight depot for the business park and for the local companies in the region. Synergies and potential for cooperation played a very important role here.

Factory planning for industrial door manufacturer

Project duration: Apr. 2015 - Sept. 2015

Initial situation
Effertz Tore GmbH from Mönchengladbach produces industrial doors, particularly for the European market. These include fire and smoke protection doors, soundproof doors and customer-specific special solutions. Due to the customer-specific dimensioning of the doors, production is based on the principle of order-based individual or one-offproduction. Production-relevant data is therefore generated anew for each product. Individual production is an important unique selling point of the company and requires a high degree of flexibility.

The historically grown building and factory structures no longer meet current requirements. The constantly increasing volume of orders leads to an expansion of the production departments, more frequent inbound and outbound deliveries and higher inventories. A central problem is the truck marshalling yard at the incoming and outgoing goods zone. The directly adjacent road has to be included in the maneuvering trips as well as deliveries and collections, which leads to short-term obstructions of public traffic.

Objective
Due to the challenges and problems listed above, Effertz Tore GmbH decided to extend the factory building by adding an extension to a directly adjacent building.

The aim of the project was to redesign the entire production layout, taking into account the factory extension. The focus was on minimizing internal transport distances. In this context, the functional areas were structured, space requirements were determined and material flows, including transport routes and supply and disposal systems, were defined. The factory was also to have the highest possible degree of flexibility, e.g. to be able to produce doors with oversized dimensions (up to 22 meters wide). An additional goal was to optimize the provision of finished goods in shipping and the small parts warehouse.

Procedure and result
Theoretical methods from the field of factory planning were transferred to practical application and used for the analysis of the current situation. After defining factory goals and planning premises, the actual planning data was recorded. This included the product program and structures, production processes, material flow relationships and quantity structures. The layout planning of the factory was carried out on this basis.

As part of the structural planning, principle solutions were considered for the production departments. Four layout variants were designed, whereby employee suggestions were also incorporated into the design alongside the planning data. The variants were then evaluated using a utility value analysis. The target layout then showed the optimum plant layout for Effertz Tore GmbH's door production. The selected variant focused on the parameters of flexibility and adaptability.

Within the system planning, the individual functional areas, i.e. the production departments, were designed taking into account the upstream and downstream systems.

In addition to the structure-based improvement options, the optimization of finished goods provision included the selection of modern storage and picking technologies.

Several quick wins were identified and implemented during the project. In addition, lean management principles and methods were used (e.g. zoning), which led to further optimization at Effertz Tore GmbH.

Green²
Green logistics in agribusiness

Project duration: Jan. 2013 - Mar. 2015

Project funding: European Regional Development Fund of the European Union (INTERREG-IV-A)

Initial situation
In the near future, strategic sustainability values will be a key aspect of long-term competitiveness for companies. The awareness of ecological responsibility will be transferred from consumers to the economy. The market is demanding more transparency from producers and suppliers from year to year. The agricultural and food sectors are highly affected by this. Together with the logistics sector, these sectors are of enormous economic importance for the border region between Germany and the Netherlands. For these reasons, the "Green²: Green Logistics in Agrobusiness" project was launched. Incoming and outgoing goods flows as well as transit traffic are being scrutinized. Logistics processes are examined for their energy-saving potential. Growers, producers, marketers and logistics service providers play a central role in the successful implementation of a sustainable logistics strategy for the region's agribusiness.

Objective
The aim of the project is to support growers, producers, marketers and logistics service providers in implementing a sustainable corporate strategy and establishing green supply chains. Transport and storage processes are to be made more ecologically sustainable. To this end, environmental relief potentials within the supply chains under consideration are to be identified and utilized. This mainly involves reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Procedure
The Green² project is divided into four work packages:

In work package 1, for example, off-site transport flows are analyzed and more environmentally friendly transport options that cause lower exhaust emissions are worked out with the entrepreneurs. In particular, goods are to be transported in an environmentally friendly manner by shifting goods flows from road to rail, inland waterway or containerized combined transport. As part of the project, shippers in the region can have the benefits of shifting transport volumes examined. In addition, synergies are to be tapped through the development of a partner network. From the overall view, bundling effects and the necessity of infrastructural measures can be derived. For example, the project aims to establish so-called "green lines" that can also be used by companies with low transport volumes.
Work package 2 looks at internal transport and storage processes in warehouses and cold stores in order to achieve a reduction in energy consumption through organizational and technical measures. Established, ecological measures are to be implemented and the use of innovative technologies that reduce energy consumption for storage and internal transportation is to be examined. A guideline will help companies to implement the most efficient measures for sustainable warehousing.
In work package 3, the SWK Energy Center E² of The Hochschule Niederrhein is working with the partners on the topic of Energy Efficiency in a cross-company energy network, e.g. by means of an absorption chiller. Technical measures for saving energy and CO2 are being investigated. The result of this investigation will be a catalog of measures for technical, economic and ecological evaluation in order to realize savings in warehouses, production and cold stores through integrative methods and technical optimization.
Work package 4 examines the applicability of a capacity exchange for chilled and frozen products. A marketplace in the transportation sector will be included and it will be investigated whether there is potential for a spot marketplace for refrigerated storage capacity and how solutions can be developed conceptually. On the one hand, companies could offer surplus storage capacity in their warehouses on such a cold storage capacity exchange. On the other hand, companies can search for free storage capacity at short notice. In this way, short-term bottlenecks and vacancies could be balanced out.

ProCurve.NRW

Project duration: Apr. 2013 - Mar. 2015

Project funding: Ziel2 Automotive+Produktion.NRW

Initial situation
How do I know how well production is working in my company? Where can things be improved? These are questions that also interest bosses of small and medium-sized companies. After all, there are hardly any tools for analyzing the requirements and special features of their production processes. This is set to change. The reengineering and control concept to be developed as part of ProCurve.NRW is intended to make a significant contribution to giving companies, especially SMEs, a clear advantage in the international innovation race.

Objective
The aim of the ProCurve project is to make the production of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) more robust, flexible and efficient. They are to be given a tool with which they can analyze complex production processes for their efficiency and present them clearly. It should also be possible to measure the success of process optimization measures.

Procedure
The plan is to develop a new approach to measuring, evaluating and optimizing production processes and resources. This is to be consistently aligned with the requirements and needs of small and medium-sized industry. The solution is based on the combination of two proven methods: on the one hand, measuring the efficiency of individual machines and systems (Operating Curve Method) and, on the other hand, evaluating process chains (Process Chain Management). A combination of these methods (ProCurve method) makes it possible to optimize the efficiency of entire organizational areas. This holistic approach is important, as improvements in individual process steps do not automatically lead to an improvement in the entire process. The tool for greater transparency should be an easy-to-use software prototype. The measurement and analysis results, as well as optimizations based on them, have three advantages for the companies: they can align their production more effectively with the customer, better adapt their resources to the order situation and shorten their throughput times. In summary, it increases their competitive opportunities. Small and medium-sized companies from the region in particular should benefit from this.

RFID - RAAS Now!

Project duration: Jan. 2010 - Jun. 2013

Project funding: European Regional Development Fund of the European Union (INTERREG-IV-A)

Initial situation
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) can drastically optimize processes in logistics, trade, industry and many service sectors that involve the identification and localization of objects. Although the technology is ready for practical use and offers considerable potential, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are hesitant about the introduction to RFID. Many entrepreneurs are not aware of the technical, business and economic opportunities RFID offers. Others find the implementation costs too high or lack the necessary know-how.

Objective
The Dutch-German Interreg project RAAS RFID now! aims to enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to get started with RFID technology and to develop the Euregio into one of the leading RFID regions.

Approach
The Hochschule Niederrhein's interdisciplinary GEMIT institute is leading the RAAS RFID jetzt! project. RAAS offers a consulting, knowledge and communication network that provides effective support for the successful introduction of RFID. This includes:

• An introductory consultation and comprehensive knowledge on the implementation of RFID
• Advice on individual business cases and feasibility studies
• RFID best practices through copy-cat and imitation projects
• RFID supporters who, as RFID providers, implement specific projects for RFID users

Selected projects with SMEs
Document management with RFID
RFID monitoring system for identifying salmon
RFID use in the tree nursery
High-temperature tags for identifying components
Management of printing cylinders
RFID for the identification of medical aids

Further development of the Rhineland-Lower Rhine/Cologne logistics region

Project duration: Aug. 2010 - Nov. 2012

Project funding: Ziel2.NRW competition Logistik.NRW

Initial situation
The forecast container growth from the western ports (ZARA ports) will lead to space and capacity bottlenecks in the inland ports of the Rhineland/Lower Rhine/Cologne region in the short to medium term. This affects not only the terminal areas but also the traffic routes, which already have to accommodate long queues in front of the entrances.

The main problem for the inland ports is the temporary storage of containers on the port premises and the increase in traffic in and around the inland ports. There is mainly a lack of space for handling the volume of goods if the growth in handling continues. With regard to the problem of space, a distinction must be made between full container and empty container space. Empty containers remain in container terminals significantly longer than full containers.

The growth in container handling figures in the logistics hubs is accompanied by an increase in the volume of truck traffic upstream and downstream of the hubs.

Objective

• Increase and optimize space and handling capacities
• Increase in order volumes for logistics companies
• Development of central transshipment points for empty containers
• Development of local truck call-off points
  

Approach
The GEMIT institute is involved in developing innovative concepts for the provision of (empty) containers in seaport hinterland traffic for the defined region. The project team forecasts the future container volumes that will be handled in logistics hubs such as container terminals in the regional inland ports. The terminal layouts are analyzed and optimization measures are developed in order to quantify the capacity bottleneck and the space requirements for a new terminal concept. The GEMIT institute is developing targeted solutions for a new hinterland terminal. In addition, the project team is analyzing the traffic situation in and around the logistics hubs. One possibility to counteract future traffic gridlock is the construction of pre-gate parking spaces for trucks. Concepts are also being developed for this.

In the first step, container traffic forecasts were drawn up for the affected region, from the seaports to the region. Structural planning in the terminals was carried out largely simultaneously. The current status of each terminal was determined and examined to determine whether internal optimization, space restructuring or expansion could be implemented. Measures already planned by the terminals were included for the subsequent capacity calculation. According to the combination of both analyses "container traffic forecast" and "structural planning", it was possible to determine whether or not space will be required in the future. If space is required, the size of this so-called capacity gap (in TEU) in the inland ports must be determined. In connection with this quantitative figure, it was possible to determine how much space is required for the provision of containers in the hinterland. Within the systematic concept definition, possible depot concepts were mapped using a morphological box. The size of the depot area was dependent on a defined depot concept for the construction of central transshipment points. The depot area and the depot concept form the overall concept of the system.

Reduction of production throughput times

Initial situation
The GEMIT institute was commissioned by a manufacturer of textile machines to analyze the production process of a product. On the basis of this data, measures were then to be developed to massively reduce the throughput time from order placement to completion according to the customer's specifications.

Objective

• Reduction of the production throughput time of a product
• Avoidance of order backlogs between the interfaces involved in the production process

Procedure
In order to be able to quantify the targeted reduction in throughput time, the average was calculated on the basis of completion reports for completed production orders from two previous years. The following data was collected:

• Actual lead time Gross days
• Planned lead time net days
• Planned lead time gross days

In order to check whether the initial situation was up to date for production, interviews were first conducted with the client's employees about current problems in production.

Collection of actual data: After the interviews had been completed, the average production throughput times recorded in the initial situation were checked for up-to-dateness by manually recording the production orders carried out over a period of almost two months. The ERP system used by the client served as the data basis for this. In total, this involved

• 39 orders across the entire production stages
• at least 106 individual orders per operation
• 3100 data records entered by hand

At the same time, the ERP system was to be used to monitor the implemented measures, but had to be adapted for this purpose.

Evaluation: Based on the monitoring of current production orders and interviews, the results were analyzed according to the degree of their impact on throughput time. Significant deficits were found in the following areas

• Batch sizes used,
• allocation of employees and
• transportation between the production sites.

Results and benefits
The client previously used variable batch sizes. In the course of the project, a maximum batch size was established for production that can be processed in one day. In order to reduce the relatively long transportation times between the production facilities, these were now set up overnight. Another approach was that production orders were sometimes stuck unprocessed for several days at one processing step due to the workstation rotation of employees. As part of the project, this procedure was therefore suspended at peak production times.

After implementing the optimization approaches, the effects were checked by means of monitoring. Overall, the production throughput time was reduced by 43 percent.

Profitability analysis - RFID in the laundry

Initial situation
The GEMIT institute was commissioned by a full-service textile supplier to evaluate the introduction to RFID technology in laundry operations from an economic point of view and to draw up a recommendation for action based on the results
. Previously, garments were identified by scanning barcodes that were sewn into the clothing. It was therefore necessary for the profitability analysis to work out the benefits of RFID-based reading methods in comparison to the identification process used to date. It also had to be taken into account that the choice of installation method for the readers also had a direct impact on cost-effectiveness and thus the achievement of a break-even point, so that a separate evaluation was carried out for each installation method.

Objective

• Profitability analysis of the introduction to RFID technology
• Differentiation of the analysis with regard to the reusability of transponders and installation options for readers
• Recommendation for action for the integration of RFID technology in laundry operations

Procedure

Process analysis: In a first step, the processes in the client's laundry operations were examined and the critical process steps for the introduction to RFID technology were identified. It was already possible to identify potential savings here, depending on the RFID hardware and capture method used.
Technical requirements: As the laundry operation places certain requirements on the transponders to be used, criteria were developed in the next step which must be fulfilled by these in order to ensure a high level of reliability and reusability:

• Transponder size and shape
• Moisture resistance
• Pressure resistance
• Heat resistance
• Resistance to certain chemicals

Based on these criteria, suitable transponders and their costs could be determined for the area of application.

Installation options for readers: There are two options for the installation of readers / antennas: intra-machine and external arrangement. In addition, single-read and multi-read solutions were also taken into consideration, so that a total of four different installation scenarios were considered for a break-even analysis:

• Intra-machine single-read solution
• Intra-machine multi-read solution
• External (by hand) single-read solution
• External (manual) multi-read solution

Break-even analysis and recommended action: As the investment costs differ greatly, particularly between the intra-machine and external installations, a break-even calculation was carried out for each installation scenario, assuming that an item of laundry runs through 30, 60 or 90 wash cycles during its service life.

With only 30 wash cycles, the introduction to RFID proved to be uneconomical, while with at least 60 cycles, the external multi-read solution proved to be the most economical option.

Master plan RFID-NRW-NL

Project duration: Jan. 2007 - Jun. 2008

Project funding: European Regional Development Fund of the European Union (INTERREG-IV-A)

Initial situation
In Germany, around a quarter of known public RFID users are located in NRW. The best-known examples include the retail companies Metro AG and REWE Group as well as the logistics service providers DHL Vertriebs GmbH & Co KG and Schenker Deutschland AG. There is a concentration of RFID providers and research facilities in the Dortmund area. Only a smaller proportion of users, providers and research facilities are located in the two Euregios. In the Netherlands, the density of RFID users decreases sharply from west to east and north. Since proximity and thus local presence play an important role in the diffusion of new technologies, the applications of RFID should be supported on a broad basis through regional example applications and the establishment of further know-how carriers.

Objective
The objectives of the Euregio project "RFID-NRW-NL" were to take stock of users and providers of RFID technology and to develop a joint strategy to promote RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) along the German-Dutch border in the Euregios Rhine-Meuse-North and Rhine-Waal. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were sensitized to RFID, and future fields of action and proposals for cross-border pilot projects for the innovative use of RFID were developed.

Procedure
The following activities were part of the Euregio project:

RFID workshops: seven events were held for SMEs in Germany and the Netherlands, which served to raise awareness among companies, but also to query requirements and issues relating to the use of the technologies. Based on the workshops, key topics were identified where the use of RFID can have particularly positive effects. In total, more than 400 people took part in the workshops. The workshops identified key applications in which the use of RFID can have promising effects for SMEs in the region.

RFID survey: In addition to the workshops, a written survey was carried out to collect information on the level of knowledge about RFID and to identify problems with the introduction to RFID technologies in companies.

Development of the master plan: Through the two activities described above, the six areas of the textile industry, food, waste disposal, Health Care, logistics and production were identified for the promising use of RFID technology in the Euregios concerned.

The master plan itself is to be understood as a recommendation for action for the dissemination of RFID in the Euregios concerned and contains corresponding scenarios for each area of application. It served as the foundation course for the RAAS RFID Now!

Results and benefits
Many SMEs often turn to regional organizations when it comes to innovation issues in order to take location-specific features into account. However, international aspects are usually neglected.

The strengths of the project therefore lay on the one hand in the regional locations of the project partners as the basis for the euregional network, and on the other hand, international aspects and experience from a large region were brought in due to the cross-border cooperation. In this way, SMEs could be comprehensively informed and sensitized in the field of RFID applications because every know-how carrier in the network contributed knowledge and experience.
An additional positive effect is the access to the network of the neighboring country, to which users also belong. Here, entrepreneurs were able to make new business contacts by participating in the events, for example.

Supply Chain Management - SCM4you

Project duration: Jan. 2006 - Jun. 2007

Project funding: European Regional Development Fund of the European Union (INTERREG-III-A)

Initial situation
The Hochschule Niederrhein's cooperation with the Fontys Hogeschool in Venlo gave rise to the SCM4you project. To date, a total of 43 companies have been advised in the areas of supply chain management (SCM), radio frequency identification (RFID), procurement management, eBusiness and logistics. The task and goal was the practical implementation of the experience and findings from numerous research and consulting projects. The specialization of the project activities passed in understanding cross-company cooperation as the foundation course for maintaining/creating competitiveness. Feasibility studies provided the necessary transparency and thus the basis for making important strategic decisions. Support in the planning, implementation and monitoring of new processes or technologies was also a key area of activity.

Objectives
Studies on successful SCM projects have shown that the following goals can be achieved in companies:

• Reduce inventory by up to 60 percent
• Uncovering potential to reduce costs by an average of 10 percent
• Increase profits by up to 30 percent by optimizing the shared value chain

SCM Compass procedure:
The SCM Compass offers a quick and easy introduction to the topic of supply chain management in your own company, enabling you to identify and exploit unrecognized potential. By recording the current situation on site and with partners in the value chain, solutions for improved supply chain management can be developed.

Survey phase: During the survey phase, all SCM-critical processes are identified. Relevant data is collected for a selection of these processes by means of interviews, observations and key figure analyses. Existing guidelines or documentation can also be incorporated here.

Systematization: During this phase, the data collected during the survey phase is put into context and structured and presented in accordance with the recognized SCOR model (Supply Chain Operations Reference).

Analysis: During this phase, the structured results of the survey phase are scrutinized by means of root cause analysis and bottleneck presentation.

Development: Finally, the bottleneck factors are evaluated and prioritized, on the basis of which proposals for solutions to eliminate them are developed. The result of this phase is a recommendation for a targeted approach to overcoming the existing core problems.

Results and benefits

• Development of a methodology for the rapid identification of SCM potential (SCM Compass)
• Potential analyses at 43 companies in Germany and the Netherlands with recommendations for action
• Establishment of a cross-border SCM network
• Study on the use of SCM by SMEs in the region

• Reduction of replenishment times
• Reduction of storage costs
• Reduction of production throughput times
• Optimization of internal and cross-company communication and goods flows (e.g. forecasting)

Location analysis Duisburg-Rheinhausen

Initial situation
The institute was commissioned by a contract manufacturer to carry out a location and competition analysis in the field of warehousing and possible services in the Duisburg-Rheinhausen area. Important aspects of this analysis were the survey of general location-related factors and potentials including the infrastructural connection, the examination of existing and planned offers from warehouse providers and logistics service providers within a radius of 50 kilometers as well as a demand analysis regarding warehouse and logistics services of the client's customers. Based on the data collected, a decision paper was then to be drawn up regarding an expansion of services.

Objective

• Survey of existing rental warehouse providers and their range of services
• Survey of existing contract packaging providers and their range of services
• Survey of existing local demand from selected companies
• Derivation of possible offers according to sectors, storage facilities, services and offer requirements

Procedure
The location analysis comprised the following sub-areas:

Location-related perspectives: In addition to the competitive structure and customer requirements, the location itself is also relevant for the economic success of a logistics service provider. Therefore, the first step was to survey and evaluate the general, demographic and infrastructural characteristics of the surrounding area. In addition, the availability of warehouse and commercial space was determined by surveying real estate agents and owners.

Analysis of logistics service providers: The analysis of logistics and warehousing service providers was based on a search of company databases and the internet. A total of 82 companies were identified within selected zip code areas. Following the research, the companies were interviewed by telephone according to the following specializations:

• Supply and demand in relation to
• Storage space
• Services offered
• Types of storage offered
• Fluctuations in demand on the part of customers
• IT equipment
• Customer connection to own IT systems

The information collected was used to identify initial trends in terms of supply and demand.

Demand analysis: In the first step, the client's customers were examined and asked about their requirements for logistics and warehousing services using a questionnaire. The survey was then extended to other local companies that were not part of the client's customer base. In particular, trading companies, especially importers and companies that are also active in e-commerce, were considered.

Results and benefits
Based on the research and survey results, a recommendation for action was developed for the client, which included the following specializations:

• Recommendation for adapting the existing product catalog to customer requirements
• Recommendation for adapting the warehouse equipment to the requirements of (new) customers
• Development potential for the company's IT (e.g. integration of customer IT)
• Recommendations for improving quality standards and shipping processes

The company was faced with an important strategic investment decision. The project results were used to create a scientifically sound basis for decision-making in order to determine the company's future strategy.

LogistiCS.NRW
Crowd Solving - Intelligent use of infrastructure using the example of the Neuss-Düsseldorf ports

Brief description:
Intelligent use of infrastructure is intended to improve the traffic situation at the port of Neuss-Düsseldorf in the near future.

Concept and project objective:
With the help of an intelligent distribution of traffic volumes, peak loads could be better distributed over time. Similarly, parking spaces that are unused by one port resident can be made available to another at short notice.

The aim of the project is to network the port residents in such a way that they can coordinate with each other without great effort. This goal is pursued by so-called "crowd solving", a concept for the consolidation, processing and subsequent distribution of logistics-relevant information. The basic idea is that if all stakeholders, residents and truck drivers in a traffic-intensive area have information about the activities of others, they can align their own activities accordingly. The data can then be used to derive suggestions for the optimal use of infrastructure and other resources.

Work packages:
Work package: Data collection and as-is analysis Work package: Concept development Work package: Implementation Work package: Effectiveness monitoring and evaluation, publication of results Work package: Project management

Duration:
April 2017 - Dec. 2020

Project partner:
TraffGo Road GmbH
Dr. Joachim Wahle
Ostwall 100
47798 Krefeld

Click here for the final video

STRASUS: Strategic sustainability for logistics using a business game

Project duration: June 2017 to May 2020

Project funding: INTERREG-V-A(www.deutschland-nederland.eu)

The STRASUS project is being carried out as part of the INTERREG Germany-Netherlands program and is co-financed with EUR 1,071,158.00 by the European Union, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (Ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat), the MWIDE NRW and the Provincie Gelderland.

Initial situation
The STRASUS project supports German and Dutch SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) from the logistics sector in the systematic development, creation and implementation of an individual sustainability strategy.

The topic of sustainability or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) encompasses the contribution of companies to sustainable development in ecological, social and economic terms, while respecting the demands of their stakeholders. This topic has also become increasingly important in the logistics sector in recent years.
The main target group of the project are SMEs from the logistics sector in the Rhine-Maas-North and Rhine-Waal border region, whose competitiveness compared to large companies is to be strengthened.

Objective
The STRASUS project aims to "gamify" the creation and, above all, active implementation of a sustainability strategy, i.e. to make it a playful experience. The aim is to prepare the logistics sector in Germany and the Netherlands for the changing requirements of the future in a more targeted and efficient way than has been possible to date. Serious Gaming Modules (SGM), or business game modules, are to be created for this purpose, as they can be used to grasp complex content and issues more quickly and permanently. The focus here is on the core topic of sustainability in corporate strategy. The SGMs are designed and developed both on the basis of the sustainable strategy development process and according to best practices in order to be as practical as possible and thus relevant for the participating companies. The main objective is to create a holistic concept in which structured and intensive short workshops and simulation game elements complement each other in a meaningful way. In this way, the growing demand for CSR training can be met without disregarding the prevailing lack of time in the logistics industry.

Procedure
The STRASUS project is divided into the following four work packages:

Content-related:
1. serious gaming modules
2. workshops

Administrative:
3. PR and marketing
4. Project management

In work package 1, the simulation game modules are designed, which are then tested, realized and applied in the workshops from work package 2 during the project period. In work package 3, the scientific project partners will develop a model for the continuation of the workshop serious gaming concept according to the "train-the-trainer" approach. This will ensure that the holistic concept can be continued in the same quality on the German and Dutch sides after the end of the project, albeit at a cost. In addition, effective communication with other small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the region will be ensured and the dissemination of the concept will be promoted. Work package4 will handle the central project management ofSTRASUS.

Work package 1: Serious Gaming
The logistics industry is usually characterized by high fluctuation, time pressure and a lack of experience among employees. By shortening the learning phase, gamification should help to implement in-house continuing education with less time and less disruption to day-to-day business.
1. objectives
In the first work package (WP1), a serious game (SG) will be created to support logistics companies on-the-job at various levels in the process of creating a sustainability strategy and to raise awareness of the many facets of sustainability. This process also defines the stages of the workshops (see work package 2 (WP2) for a detailed description). The main aim is to train strategic thinking and raise awareness of the need to balance the social, economic and environmental aspects of a decision. The playful introduction to the new topics means that the learning process is not perceived as work. Employees can be motivated to learn simply by "having fun". Their own ambition is awakened and they want to accept and master the challenge on their own initiative. There is also curiosity: What's next? What else can I do? Can I outdo the other players next time? A serious game combines acquired knowledge with its application: in this way, more comprehensive and cross-thematic action structures are memorized. Learning takes place passively, while the players can act actively without having to observe social or local restrictions or fear real consequences.
2. realization
The simulation game will be developed on the basis of the computer-based action learning approach, as this method has proven to be particularly effective for action-oriented target groups (e.g. logisticians) and ensures a high level of learning transfer.

Work package 2: Workshops
Work package 2 is based on the process of creating a sustainable corporate strategy. However, as this process cannot be implemented successfully or with lasting positive effects in practice without competent guidance and regular professional support, individual sustainability strategies are prepared in close cooperation with the logistics partners in the project. The following steps are implemented for this purpose:

• Evaluation of the logistics partners' current corporate strategies
• Exchange with management and relevant employees on their own CSR level
• Identification of successes and problems in the company through CSR assessment

External companies can participate in workshops on the following topics free of charge, depending on their own requirements:

Level 1 / Workshop 1: Foundation course of CSR in logistics: what is CSR?

• Raising awareness of doing business in harmony with society, the environment and financial gain
• Importance/relevance of concepts such as the CO2 footprint and the social footprint for companies
• Certifications (implicit or explicit)
• Mission and vision: goal identification

Level 2 / Workshop 2 Introduction to analysis methods for a successful CSR strategy

• Theoretical introduction to survey, analysis, evaluation, draft solutions, evaluation and selection of draft solutions

Stage 2 / Workshop 3: Case studies: problem areas and suitable key figures

• Identification/ narrowing down of the relevant survey areas or case study/ model company
• Problem areas VS target definition
• Familiarization with suitable key figures and their basis for data collection

Stage 3 / Workshop 4: ...but how to implement CSR? Basis for realization

• Evaluation of zero measurement
• Raising awareness of internal communication and interrelationships within the company for the successful implementation of CSR

Stage 3 / Workshop 5: ...but how to implement CSR? Certifications

• Preparation for relevant certifications and more in CSR management

Level 4 / Workshop 6: Preparing your own CSR report

• Preparation for creating a report, e.g. according to GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)

Would you like to take part in one of the workshop concepts mentioned? Contact us to be informed about current dates!

Active project partners
The project involves three scientific partners ( Gemit Institute of the HSNR, ICIS of Maastricht University and the Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen) and six industrial partners(Johs. Stelten GmbH & Co. KG from Krefeld, the juice producer Valensina GmbH from Mönchengladbach, the software developer BuGaSi GmbH from Schwert, the Dutch transport companies H.M. Verploegen and Gesink B.V. and the cold storage and technology company FFT projects).

CONUS - Competence Net urban-industrial Supply

Project duration: January 2020 - December 2021

Project funding: Regio.NRW - EFRE.NRW

Competence network urban-industrial supply

CONUS is an association financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the joint coordination of actors from the transport and supply sector in the Lower Rhine region who contribute to more sustainable action through their economic activities.This is achieved through the continuous expansion of a common interest network that spans all areas of society - citizens, business, science and politics & administration. The network researches, tests and implements, exchanges ideas and shares its knowledge and experience within its sphere of influence. The special challenges and potentials of the Lower Rhine are merged in order to develop the greatest possible success in climate protection and sustainable management - initially for the region and later for other regions.The CONUS network is already running four Living Labs, in which new, participatory and, above all, regional processes are being initiated - with a particular focus on strengthening urban-rural relationships through digitalization.The Living Labs offer the opportunity to test new ideas, operate at different levels of the value chain and are embedded in the existing (logistics) system. The network framework also offers the opportunity to merge different projects into a new living lab, with the help of dynamic networking events, think tanks and innovation workshops in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary environment.By establishing the CONUS competence and innovation network, the knowledge gained in pilot projects can be reused and further utilized economically and scientifically.By establishing collaborative business, the project aims to promote and grow sustainability practice in the Lower Rhine region over the next two years - through new collaborations, sponsored projects, living labs and events.

Living Labs with GEMIT as lead partner:

Smart Logistics Grid

This living lab brings together stakeholders from agriculture and industry to promote the bioeconomy. One aim of the bioeconomy is to use more bio-based raw materials for energy, mobility and industrial processes in the future in order to enable sustainable economic activity.Smart logistics grids are being set up as a basic prerequisite for creating the necessary logistics infrastructure and digitalization measures. There are already producers of such bio-based products in the Lower Rhine region. Three specific producers a) organic natural packaging (BIOTEC, Emmerich), b) bioplastics (IKS, Neuss) and c) biodegradable and biobased polymers and compounds (FKuR, Willich) will be used to demonstrate the potential and establish the region as a pioneer in the field of bioeconomy.

AGRIwear - Digitalization and optimization of supply chains in agribusiness

In the AGRIwear Living Lab, digital technology is being tested to support processes in agricultural companies. IT-supported technological aids - such as special glasses - support employees in optimizing delivery and production processes. Dynamic, digitally supported systems are being tested and developed that guarantee security of supply while also preventing over-delivery of certain products (perishable foods). The results contribute to process optimization and thus to the conservation of resources and also offer development opportunities for small regional companies. The LL contributes to more economical and safe work processes. In the course of AGRIwear, an action guide will be published that summarizes the collected findings and will be made publicly available. Close cooperation with the neighboring country of the Netherlands also strengthens the geographical ties of the Lower Rhine region.

Further Living Labs:

Genussregion Niederrhein

In the Living Lab Genussregion Niederrhein, food producers, logistics service providers and consumers are brought into direct contact via a specially designed IT platform. This enables new regional value creation and supply solutions to be developed. They strengthen the connection between town and country. Digital and direct networking eliminates the need for wholesalers to act as intermediaries, making entrepreneurial future potential attractive even for small regional agricultural businesses.

Specifically, over the next two years, an open source IT platform will be developed, tested and adapted to promote cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and experience. In addition, an e-food marketplace will be created, i.e. a perceptible web-based offer for end consumers to purchase regionally produced food.

Autonomous public transport pilot

The mobility of the future is autonomous, connected and smart. In order to achieve this vision, the Living Lab Autonomous Public Transport Pilot plans to deploy an automated bus in the city center of Kleve. This bus will be integrated into both existing and conceivable future complex transport systems. Autonomous means of transport can revolutionize both passenger and goods transport. Autonomous public transport is a particularly promising solution for the challenges of the mobility transition: "white spots" in rural areas can be opened up and connected with the support of autonomous and smart-digitally connected vehicles.

circular bio - circular bioeconomy network

Project duration: February 2020 - November 2022

Project funding: Interreg V A - Germany-Netherlands

The concept of a circular bioeconomy offers the opportunity to put industrial production on a more sustainable footing and to strengthen regional, but also indirectly global, economic power. By using renewable resources from agriculture and forestry as well as residual and side streams from further processing, fossil raw materials can be saved and more climate-friendly products can be manufactured. In particular, alternatives for the end-of-life challenges of fossil-based polymers (e.g. microplastics, recycling) can be addressed using bio-based and biodegradable alternatives.

Both the Netherlands and Germany are already working on establishing a circular bioeconomy. However, these activities are often still taking place in parallel and independently of each other. A synergistic interlinking of these efforts would achieve a significantly greater impact.

The circular bioeconomy network aims to address these issues by creating a cross-sector and cross-border platform for stakeholders and promoting the establishment of new value chains for a circular bioeconomy. The network focuses on the promotion of companies. On the one hand, this is done by integrating them into 3 cross-border and interdisciplinary working groups on the topics of "Regional Material Flow Management", "Innovative Business Models" and "Qualification and Apprenticeship". The aim of these working groups is to develop joint solutions in these areas. On the other hand, innovative ideas in the field of circular bioeconomy are validated and further developed by awarding innovation coupons to SMEs. This offers the region a great opportunity to gain international visibility in the innovation field of sustainable management and bioeconomy.

eCo-Store: digital solutions for cold stores

Project duration: January 2020 - June 2022

Project funding: Interreg-V-A(www.deutschland-nederland.eu)

The eCoStore project is developing a digitalized cooperation platform with energy efficiency services for companies with a need for cooling capacities in the areas of storage and transport. The target groups are German and Dutch SMEs from the cold storage and logistics sector and agribusiness. The aim is to increase the Energy Efficiency of cold storage and transport through synergies and the development of previously unused capacities. The need for refrigeration capacity is growing, demand is seasonal and is becoming increasingly volatile due to strong growth rates in the online food trade. Capacities in the cold chain must therefore be provided in a time-efficient, flexible and economical manner. Cross-border exchange and cooperation are the foundation course for innovation and thus the basis of competitiveness for the region.

The keys to the necessary innovation are provided by the eCoStore platform:

(a) utilization of synergies in intelligent networks in both countries

b) consistent digitalization of processes

c) efficient development of existing capacity reserves and their cooperative use (shared economy)

d) Use of mechanisms to level out volatile demand

e) Creation of an infrastructure in the Euregio with a favorable cost structure

A company with cold storage requirements can rent suitable and energy-efficient capacities with digital quality monitoring via the platform or make them available to the market. Capacities for refrigerated transport are also taken into account in order to organize highly efficient supply chains of goods to be refrigerated in the border region. One service aims to flexibly shift refrigerated transport to less CO2-emitting modes of transport (Synchromodality 4.0). In order to increase the effect of eCoStore compared to conventional platform approaches, cooperation opportunities will be created on the supply and demand side (partner clustering).

The project partners are developing solutions in these work packages:

Work package 1 - Analysis of the current situation and requirements forecast

Work package 2 - Development of innovative business models

Work package 3 - Requirements engineering (elicitation of platform requirements)

Work package 4 - Prototype development up to the test system

Work package 5 - Business plan project sustainability

Work package 6 - Master plan for cooling capacity infrastructure in the Euregio

Work package 7 - Project management

Work package 8 - PR and communication

The Hochschule Niederrhein's GEMIT institute (lead partner), Fontys Hogeschool Venlo, Yookr B.V., Stockspots B.V., Coldstore Venray B.V., Cuppen Logistics B.V., Van Sambeeck Management Services, Fresh Logistics Systems GmbH, Van Soest Coldstores Venlo B.V. and Eurofresh Logistics GmbH are involved as project partners.

The project is part of the INTERREG program Germany-Nederland and is supported with 662,531.00 euros by the European Regional Development Fund, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Environment, the MWIDE NRW and the Dutch provinces of Noord-Brabandt and Limburg.

SmartPark City Hubs and Virtual Infrastructure (SPaCiH)

The Hochschule Niederrhein has developed the "SmartPark City Hubs and Virtual Infrastructure" (SPaCiH) project together with Sysplan Gesellschaft für Logistiksystemplanung GmbH, the University of Duisburg-Essen and Ruhr-Universität-Bochum. A SPaCiH is a logistics hub/park located outside the city which, in addition to its logistics handling and bundling function, is also characterized by the establishment of value-added activities in the region for the region. The project aims to develop an optimal SmartPark City Hub structure for NRW. The SPaCiHs are to be networked with each other by rail and inland waterway if possible. In the SPaCiH, goods are to be bundled by means of new business cooperations and shifted to sustainable modes of transport over the last mile. Transport requirements between companies are to be exchanged using a new digital platform as a virtual infrastructure and physically handled in the SPaCiH. The SPaCiHs are to be operated by private or semi-public companies that provide buildings, personnel, vehicles and services (e.g. repair services). The SPaCiH will be used to create new added value and provide the infrastructure for new business models for city supply in a flexible manner.

The aim of the project is the prototypical and pre-competitive development of a network of SmartPark City Hubs, which will reduce delivery traffic, accelerate the transportation of goods and increase sustainability not only on the last mile, but also in the regional supply upstream ("penultimate mile") through the use of alternative means of transport. The development and implementation of a business model based on this is carried out in a participatory manner by involving the identified relevant stakeholders in the development process using the "living lab" method. The consortium plans to publish the results in an action guide. The Lower Rhine region and the western Ruhr area were selected as the study region. The district of Wesel and the city of Krefeld act as associated partners. Other associated partners include DeltaPort GmbH & Co KG (Wesel), duisport AG (Duisburg) Rheinhafen Krefeld (Krefeld) and Heuremo UG (Duisburg). The project will run from 1.9.2020 to 31.12.2022.

The project funding is part of the implementation of the operational program of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in North Rhine-Westphalia for the period 2014-2020 with co-financing from the Ministry of Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The total funding amount is made up of state funds totaling around 650,757 euros and funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) totaling around 866,575 euros. (Nov. 2020)

Click here to go to our homepage www.spacih.nrw

Project management and contact:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Holger Beckmann
Institute Director GEMIT - Business Process Management and IT (GEMIT) of The Hochschule Niederrhein
E-mail: holger.beckmann(at)hsnr.de
www.hs-niederrhein.de/gemit

Development of an innovative load cell for beehives

Profile

Despite the increase in active hobby beekeepers, especially in young age groups, the long-term decline in bee colonies cannot be compensated for, which has fatal effects on the ecosystem. In addition, new beekeepers are attending fewer and fewer training courses
. Successful beekeeping is mainly based on implicit knowledge to assess the condition of the bee colony. One tool for this is the honey scale for assessing the condition on the basis of hive weight
. However, the honey scale is expensive to purchase and only gives reactive recommendations, which leads to very short reaction times. The Al4Bee project therefore aims to develop a cost-effective, proactive assistance system that takes up the promising principle of the honey scale and expands it to include platform-based prescriptive action support for beekeepers. To this end, the honey scale is to be expanded with additional energy-autonomous sensor technology. Using LoRaWan, the data
is transmitted independently of the mobile network. The planned platform will provide beekeepers with predictive recommendations for action by evaluating the data using artificial intelligence methods.

Funding institution

AiF Projekt GmbH - ZIM (Central Innovation Program for SMEs)

Partner

• ikado GmbH
• FITT-Institut für Technologietransfer an der Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes gemeinnützige GmbH

Duration

24 months until the end of 08/2024

Biene40 -Development of digital networked sensors for more vital bees"

Project duration: March 2021 - February 2024

Project funding: Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), Protection of bees and other pollinator insects in the agricultural landscape (published on 18.07.2019 in the public section of the Federal Gazette)

Funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture based on a resolution of the German Bundestag

Project volume: €355 thousand

Objective:

In the Biene40 project, we want to use intelligent sensor technology to enable beekeepers to know more about their bee colony and its immediate surroundings without having to go to the colony and open the hive. To this end, we will continue to develop the technical preliminary stages for networked sensors that have been developed at The Hochschule Niederrhein in recent years from laboratory samples to prototype maturity and prepare the market availability of the networked sensors. This also includes the development of an "information hub", via which the data from the sensors is collected, enriched with additional information and made available to beekeepers via the Internet and smartphones.

Outcome:

Sensor monitoring results in lower mortality (no undetected lack of food) and higher vitality of the bee colonies (also less Varroa contamination) with positive effects on the bee population (early swarm detection) and pollination performance, initially in Germany.

The use of the networked sensors is intended to enable new and hobby beekeepers, professional beekeepers and farmers to

easier, less expensive and more minimally invasive than before.

Further information can be found here.

Project participants:

GEMIT research institute of The Hochschule Niederrhein (lead) clabremo GmbH Mönchengladbach (sensor development) Bienenland van den Bongard, Willich (laboratory and field tests, training) Bee and Beekeeping Center at DLR, Mayen (bee science support, associated)

Contact:

Project coordination: Julia Wurm, M.A. Project management: Prof. Dr. Claus Brell

Sustainable Production of Healthy Food - SPoHF

Digitalization is playing an increasingly important role, especially in the agricultural and food sector. Some companies are already using digital applications to produce more sustainable, high-quality food and make work processes more sustainable. The project idea "Sustainable-Production-of-Healthy-Food-(SPoHF)" was developed to stimulate this change in the Euregio. The special feature of this project is that the focus is not only on economic aspects through efficiency gains and yield optimization, but also on ecological aspects and product quality for the benefit of healthy nutrition.

SPoHF focuses on the cultivation of fruit and vegetables (greenhouse and open field) as food. In order to improve product quality aspects in a more targeted manner, individual plants are considered and digital twins are developed for them. This means that the plant is no longer only monitored physically, but also on its digital image. With the help of this digital twin and artificial intelligence, current plant conditions and the effects of certain measures (e.g. irrigation or additional lighting) can be simulated in order to assess their impact. Finally, it is also possible to automatically suggest such measures and monitor their effectiveness.

Measures that are specifically investigated in this project are energy saving measures in the regulation of humidity and lighting, pest control and the more precise consideration of weather data. To monitor product quality, product samples are analyzed both in the laboratory and on site before and after application of the measures. Through the use of a digital twin and artificial intelligence, cultivation can focus more on its core tasks: the sustainable cultivation of healthy agricultural products.

Funding institution
The SPoHF project is being carried out as part of the Interreg VI A program Germany-Nederland and is co-financed with 2.36 million euros by the European Union, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZK), MWIKE NRW and the province of Limburg
.
www.deutschland-nederland.eu / www.de-nl.eu

Partners
AppComm, Brightlabs, Compas Agro, Fontys Venlo, ProcEvolution, Vitarom, Yookr

Duration
12.2023 - 06.2027

InnoLoop

The InnoLoop project focuses on supra-regional technology transfer and sponsors innovation and digitalization projects in SMEs as well as the qualification and know-how of employees in industry in the German-Dutch border region. The project builds on the activities of the predecessor projects DigiPro, IPro-N and Digitrans, which created a bridge between German and Dutch stakeholders from 2017 to 2022 and established a network to support SMEs in the program area in the development of digital innovations. Building a shared knowledge base expands the innovation potential for all stakeholders involved in the transfer process and opens up new opportunities for value creation.

The main instrument in InnoLoop are model innovation projects that are awarded to German-Dutch cooperations. These projects focus on technologies in the high-tech sector, such as industrial robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), additive manufacturing or virtual reality (VR). In addition to technology development, InnoLoop offers the partners of the pilot projects intensive technical support during technology transfer activities.

In addition to the pilot projects, InnoLoop is further developing a learning cross-border innovation ecosystem for new digital technologies in order to optimally network skills and partners from both sides of the border. InnoLoop also creates synergies between existing regional initiatives, networks and clusters. The aim is to involve all relevant sectors and players from research, development and industry. The InnoLoop web portal accompanies and supports supra-regional knowledge and technology transfer by providing useful information such as recommendations for action, guidelines, tools and potential partners.

Funding institution
The InnoLoop project is part of the Interreg VI A program Germany-Nederland and is co-financed with xx million euros by the European Union, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZK), MWIKE NRW and the Province of Limburg
.
www.deutschland-nederland.eu / www.de-nl.eu

Homepage InnnoLoop
InnoLoop (innoloop-interreg.eu)

Partners
OostNl, FH Münster, tcnn, milliarum, Saxion Hogeschool, mcc, Emsland GmbH

Duration
01.12.2023 - 30.11.2027

KPF INDUSTR_I4.0

The "small project fund" INDUSTR_I4.0 will accelerate the digital transformation in the (manufacturing) industry in the entire German-Dutch border region. The project does not focus on the frontrunners, but on the group of SMEs that follow: the fast-followers. The specialization is on the introduction to and implementation of digital technologies to accelerate innovation in SMEs.

INDUSTR_I4.0 is supported by the Interreg VI program Germany-Netherlands. Oost NL is implementing the project. Companies can apply for funding for feasibility studies and innovation projects from April 2024. A total of 10 million euros is available for this purpose. INDUSTR_I4.0 will run from 2024 to 2027.

In recent years, great progress has been made in the digital transformation of (manufacturing) industry/Industry 4.0, also known as Smart Industry. But we are not there yet: research by Radboud University shows that only 15% of entrepreneurs in the border region use advanced Industry 4.0 technology and that much of this technology is developed in isolation and is hardly connected to other digital technologies. While a small proportion of companies have benefited from the measures to support digital transformation in recent years, a larger proportion seem to be struggling to take advantage of the opportunities offered by digital transformation: The "fast follower" is thus in danger of falling further and further behind the frontrunners and losing touch.

INDUSTR_I4.0 wants to change this. Specifically, by implementing 80 cross-border digital innovation projects and 80 feasibility studies. With its focus on the introduction to and implementation of digital technologies, the instrument meets the target group. For example, it is not about developing a completely new AI protocol, but about using AI to further innovate business processes. In the coming years, INDUSTR_I4.0 will support around 200 entrepreneurs in the border region. Within the projects, cooperation between Dutch and German partners is a prerequisite.

Homepage KPF INDUSTR_I4.0
Home (industri4-interreg.eu)

Funding institution
The INDUSTR_I4.0 small project fund is implemented as part of the Germany-Nederland Interreg VI programme and is co-financed by the European Union, MWIKE NRW, the Lower Saxony Ministry of Federal and European Affairs and Regional Development, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the provinces of Fryslân, Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, Flevoland, Gelderland, Noord-Brabant and Limburg.
www.deutschland-nederland.eu / www.de-nl.eu

Partners
OostNl, BOM, Emsland GmbH, FH Münster, LIOF, wir4, mcc mobile communication cluster, tcnn, TAFH, NOM

Duration
01.01.2024 - 31.12.2027

Training marketing in the town of Nettetal

As part of this project, the status quo of training marketing in the Nettetal economic area was examined and placed in the context of the current training situation in the Federal Republic of Germany. It was shown that due to changes such as demographic change and the shortage of skilled workers, as well as the increasing desire of young people to pursue studies instead of an apprenticeship, companies are having increasing problems filling their training positions.

AZUBInfo
The Hochschule Niederrhein's GEMIT institute identifies the gap between the need for information and the information on offer for potential apprenticeships in the Rhine-Waal region.

Concept and project objective
In cooperation with the business development department of the city of Hamminkeln and Candea College in Duiven, the GEMIT institute is determining the status of regional apprenticeship placement in the Euregio Rhine-Waal. In the region around Hamminkeln, it is becoming increasingly difficult for companies to fill their vocational training places, as there is obviously a considerable lack of information between companies and applications. As a first step, a questionnaire was therefore used to determine the information needs and behavior of future apprenticeships in Hamminkeln's schools and at Candea College. The findings were then used to identify the most suitable forms of presentation and information for young people to find training positions. In a further step, the information offered by companies in the region and their approach to potential trainees was determined by identifying the information channels and through interviews with company representatives. The aim is to compare the information needs of future trainees with the information offered by companies on the German and Dutch sides and to identify suitable forms of presentation that best reach young people.

The AZUBInfo project is also being carried out across borders in the Netherlands in order to identify national and cultural differences in the search for training places and the recruitment of trainees by companies.

Added value and benefits
The differences between the students' need for information and the information offered by companies as well as country-specific differences were identified. Building on this, suitable measures will be developed in a follow-up project to reduce the existing deficits in apprenticeship placement in the Rhine-Waal region in the medium term and improve them in the long term.

Duration: 15.04.2014 - 31.10.2014

Project partner
Wirtschaftsförderung Hamminkeln
Mr. Martin Hapke
Brüner Str. 9
46499 Hamminkeln

The Hochschule Niederrhein - Institut GEMIT
Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Mülder
Mr. Bernd Landmesser
Speicker Str. 8
41061 Mönchengladbach

Candea College
Dr. B.J.L. van den Anker
Saturnus 1
6920 Duiven
Netherlands

AZUBI-Pilot
The Hochschule Niederrhein's GEMIT institute brings together potential apprenticeships and companies in the Rhine-Waal region.

Concept and project goal:
In cooperation with the business development department of the city of Hamminkeln and Candea College in Duiven, the GEMIT institute makes it easier for pupils to find a career and identifies suitable recruitment channels for companies in the Euregio Rhine-Waal.

The information needs and information behavior of future apprenticeships in the schools of Hamminkeln and Candea College have already been determined with a questionnaire. In addition, the information behavior of companies in the region and their approach to potential trainees was analyzed by determining the information channels and through interviews with company representatives.

In the AZUBI-Pilot project, deficits in the information offered by companies and the information needs of young people are identified and eliminated by means of an individual catalog of measures. This should enable companies to better reach their potential apprenticeships and present them with comprehensible training and job profiles. The measures are tested together with the companies and schools, which in turn improves and strengthens the cooperation between schools and companies. The AZUBI-Pilot project is also being implemented across borders in the Netherlands in order to improve the cross-border approach to young people on the part of companies.

Added value and benefits:
The differences between the information needs of pupils and the information offered by companies as well as country-specific differences are identified. Based on this, suitable measures will be developed to reduce the existing deficits in order to make it easier for pupils to find a career and to identify suitable recruitment channels for companies in the Rhine-Waal region.

Measures:
The main objective of the measures is to better inform young people about training opportunities and also to involve the secondary target group of parents and teaching education. Teaching education staff can get to know the partner companies and their training programs better during an organized company tour. The teachers can then pass on the information they have gained to their pupils. A trainee workshop is also held with German and Dutch pupils in year 9, in which the pupils work in groups to prepare training information and identify ways of finding the right training occupation. Another measure is to publish training information from regional companies on the Hamminkeln town website so that pupils can find regional training opportunities there. In addition, pupils, teaching educators and companies are given a guide to the most important sources of information used for training occupations.

Duration: 01.08.2014 - 31.03.2015

Project partner:
Hamminkeln Economic Development Agency
Mr. Martin Hapke
Brüner Str. 9
46499 Hamminkeln

The Hochschule Niederrhein - Institut GEMIT
Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Mülder
Ms. Alexandra Bartels
Mr. Björn Rafreider
Ms. Jennifer Wienkötter
Speicker Str. 8
41061 Mönchengladbach

Candea College
Mr. Dr. B.J.L. van den Anker
Saturnus 1
6920 Duiven, NL

Marketplace for mobile services

Conception and development
Mobile services, which can be used to buy a train or parking ticket using a smartphone, for example, are nothing new these days. However, with so many services available to customers, there are few synergies. Many operators offer their services separately from the rest of the applications, meaning that cross-provider solutions do not yet exist.

The aim of the project is therefore to design and develop a B2B marketplace for mobile services. This marketplace is being tested in the city of Cologne, as there are a large number of providers of various mobile services in a regional context. The marketplace is intended to initiate the creation of synergies between the providers so that more services cooperate with each other in the long term and integrate each other at application level.

Creation of a metadata directory
The core of the project is the creation of a metadata directory that stores the data of the participating service providers. This also includes information on the terms of use of their own services. Service operators will be able to use this to search for other service offerings that have synergy potential from an individual perspective, so that partnerships and the integration of synergetic services with one another can be initiated.

The basic data of the metadata directory will be freely available. Detailed information will be reserved for members via a separate area. During the project, the directory will be populated via the project partners' contacts in order to achieve a critical mass for the test operation.

Certification
A certification process will be developed for this purpose in order to guarantee the reliability of the listed service providers. Only after successful certification will they be included in the marketplace. Among other things, certain minimum standards must be met, such as the timeliness of the provider's own data and compliance with terms of use regarding third-party data.

Payment concept and operator model
It can be assumed that the listed providers each use their own payment service with certain overlaps. A foundation course should therefore be created that simplifies reciprocal use between them in the long term. This will be made possible within the project using an example.

At the same time, the design and testing of operator models for the B2B marketplace also plays a role. This is because the model developed should be able to support itself after the end of the funding period. To this end, an evaluation model will be developed to ensure the scientific and technical relevance of the project during the project period based on defined key figures.

Project partners
TraffGo Road GmbH
Dr. Joachim Wahle
Mr. Daniel Weber
Ostwall 100
47798 Krefeld

The Hochschule Niederrhein - Institut GEMIT
Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Mülder
Richard-Wagner-Str. 8
41065 Mönchengladbach

DigiPro - Springboard for German and Dutch SMEs into Industry 4.0

Brief description:
The project includes concrete measures to support and raise awareness among German and Dutch SMEs on their way to digitalization.

Concept and project objective:
An important objective of this project is to promote cooperation between German and Dutch companies and thereby realize joint projects. Through DigiPro, the companies receive financial support for the development of intelligent products, processes and business models. The project offers companies free advice, develops and sponsors concepts, feasibility studies and innovative development projects. SMEs are supported with know-how, workshops and coaching to better understand the potential of new technologies and to get a faster start with digital business models.

Modules:

• Module 1 Orientation meeting free of charge
• Module 2 In-depth discussion free of charge
• Module 3 Concept development Funding 50% of max. 5,000€
• Module 4 Feasibility study Funding 40% of max. 20,000€
• Module 5 Development project Funding 40% of max. 120,000€

Duration:
May 2017 - May 2021

Project partner:
- Lead partner: Oost NL-Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij Oost Nederland
- Euregio Rhein-Waal
- Institut GEMIT-Hochschule Niederrhein
- Huis van de Brabantse Kempen
- Niederrheinische Industrie- und Handelskammer Duisburg Wesel Kleve zu Duisburg
- LIOF - NV Industriebank LIOF- Limburgse Ontwikkelings- en Investeringsmaatschappij
- MCC Mobile Commucation Cluster e.V.
- Stichting RCT Gelderland

Interim results:
Here you can download our interim results.

Testing wireless sensor systems
in the refrigerated and deep-freeze areas of a food retail company

In food retailing, the verifiable safeguarding of and compliance with HACCP standards (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is a sensitive issue. In cooperation with the GEMIT institute of The Hochschule Niederrhein, an engineering office developed a wireless sensor system technology with provision of data storage as well as evaluation and display functions based on web interfaces, for which open source software was used.

The sensor system was tested within the project under real operating conditions. This included the functionality of the sensor technology, wireless data transmission and its display.

Project goals:
The Hochschule Niederrhein's GEMIT institute was tasked with acquiring a project partner from the food retail sector in order to provide a real test environment for a field trial. Furthermore, the requirements of the veterinary office for the system and the acceptance of the data were to be determined. In addition, the project partner's satisfaction with the sensor system was to be surveyed.

Preparation:
To prepare for the field test, it was first necessary to determine the framework conditions on the part of the veterinary office for the sensor system and data management for
use in the food sector. For a test under real conditions, a project partner from the food retail sector had to be acquired who could provide the test environment for the field trial.

The new system was to be installed and tested in parallel to the existing measures in normal business operations in a selected store.

Project support:
Following the preparations, the next step was to determine the optimum positions for installing the sensors by means of joint discussions and a site inspection in the test store. The aim was to assess possible local obstacles, such as interference from metals. In addition, the temperature-critical areas for the system test were defined as follows:

• Dairy product counter
• Freezer cabinets and freezers
• Freezer room
• Cheese counter
• Fresh meat counter
• Meat preparation room
• Butcher's cold store

The temperature-relevant actual processes were then recorded. On this foundation course, the test system was installed in the selected store and the test was carried out

Results:
Recommendations for action and benefits
To the degree that the test was successful, the results were documented and interpreted to produce a recommendation for action. Recommendations were drawn up on the following points, among others:

• Satisfaction with the sensor system from the customer's perspective
• Targeted further development of the sensor system by identifying deficits and potentials
• Strengths and weaknesses
• Strengths of the system serve as a foundation course for marketing concepts

Even during the course of the project, the product, both the sensor technology and the software, could be further developed in relation to the given framework conditions.

EURAGA - Euregional employer attractiveness

Project title:
Euregional employer attractiveness - Employer branding - Increasing the employer attractiveness of SMEs in the Euregio rhine-maas-north

Duration: Jan. 2014 - June 2015

Project manager:
Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Mülder, GEMIT Institute

Project partner:

• Walter Rau Neusser Öl und Fett AG
• Auto-Centrum Walter Coenen GmbH & Co. KG
• imat-uve GmbH
• BWS Technologie GmbH
• LucaNet AG
• Vanderlande Industries GmbH
• Optibelt Walk B.V.
• Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.
• VOS Company B.V.
• In Time Personal-Dienstleistungen GmbH & Co. KG

Brief description:
Assistance for SMEs from the border region with regard to personnel recruitment, retention and development in order to ensure their long-term competitiveness and increase their attractiveness as an employer.

Objective:
This project aims to use successful methods and innovative new approaches to personnel management to improve the attractiveness of the participating companies as employers. To this end, instruments for employee recruitment, retention and development are improved and introduced through the joint exchange of knowledge. Further objectives include the development of employer brands, mitigating the effects of demographic change and promoting equal opportunities.

On completion of the project, the knowledge gained will also be made available to other SMEs in the region. The overall objective of this project is to secure and expand the competitiveness of the regional economy.

Structure of the project assignment:
6 work packages with different specializations.

1st work package: Meta-analysis

2nd work package: Status analysis of the companies

3rd work package: Development of the toolbox

4th work package: Support in the application of the toolbox

5th work package: Development of the quick check

6th work package: Project management

Process optimization of merchandise management for a medium-sized trading company

Hessels Deutschland GmbH in Willich serves agricultural machinery dealers, agricultural machinery manufacturers and end customers such as farmers and agricultural service providers. The wide range of products includes sieving and conveyor belts for harvesting machines such as potato and beet harvesters, overloading systems and special machines for vegetable growing and horticulture. Hessels also offers a comprehensive range of services and advice on the use of sieving, haulm and hedgehog belts in machines, the procurement of spare parts and special retrofitting options.

Due to the strong demand, also beyond Germany, the company wants to grow. The merchandise management processes and the IT support for the processes are to be adapted to the growth.

A team from the GEMIT research institute at The Hochschule Niederrhein (Prof. Claus Brell, business economist Lena Vloet and business IT specialist Oliver Schmitz, both studying for a Master's degree) is supporting Hessels Deutschland in a consulting project. By the end of January 2014, a concept will be developed in which optimization potentials will be uncovered on the basis of an in-depth analysis of existing business processes, recommendations for the implementation of improvements will be made and proposals for the use of comprehensive IT support for merchandise management will be developed.

The consulting project is sponsored in part by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Smaller SMEs with growth potential that would also like to receive consulting services from GEMIT (possibly with partial support from the state) can contact Prof. Dr. Claus Brell.

Solvent - Self-Organized Learning Enhances Navigation and Telematics

Brief description:
Development of cloud-based smartphone services to create a market for cooperative services in traffic telematics for road users whose vehicles are not equipped with cooperative components by the manufacturer.

Concept and project objective:
North Rhine-Westphalia is the state most affected by traffic jams. As part of the "Solvent" project, a technology is being developed to remedy the situation. Although traffic jams will not be a thing of the past, word will at least get around quickly enough to allow following cars to take alternative routes in good time. Currently, traffic data flows into a central database, the mobility data marketplace, where it is used to indicate dangerous situations or traffic jams. However, this data is only collected when cars are detected at certain points. Given the current volume of traffic, data collection is often too slow. It would be interesting if the data that providers such as Google collect daily from smartphone users while driving could also be used publicly and not just privately. The aim of the project is therefore to develop an alternative collection method in order to make better and faster traffic forecasts. The project aims to demonstrate that central business processes for traffic management and information systems can be efficiently aligned on the mobile web with an extended perception of reality.

Duration:
01.01.2016 - 30.06.2017

Project partners:
Almo Consult GmbH, Aachen
GEMIT Institute of The Hochschule Niederrhein, Mönchengladbach

Sponsor:
The project is funded as part of the "Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM)" program.
Sponsored by: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy based on a resolution of the German Bundestag