Benchmark for SMEs

The online benchmark of the Inlumia project allows SMEs to determine their status in comparison to their competitors in the implementation of Industry 4.0.

What is the status of my company when it comes to Industry 4.0? And in which areas is implementation worthwhile at all? A 15-minute online questionnaire helps to determine the position. It was developed in the Inlumia project in a cooperative effort of industry and research.

The Inlumia project is a cooperation of eleven partners from industry and research. These include Bielefeld University, the Fraunhofer Institute for Design Technology Mechatronics and Miele. Based on pilot projects for the implementation of Industry 4.0, an online benchmark was created as the first project milestone.

In the form of an online questionnaire, the benchmark is primarily intended to enable decision-makers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to determine their position and identify areas in which it is worth implementing Industry 4.0 strategies. Ultimately, the project's website states that this ensures that it does not implement what is fundamentally possible, but what is suitable for the company in question.

Passing on the experience of the pioneers

It takes about 15 minutes to complete the questionnaire. It consists of questions about general company information such as number of employees and field of activity. More specific questions concern, e.g., level of automation and are intended to be answered based on an example product manufactured by the company.

The benchmark that is derived from the questionnaire also takes into account the qualifications of employees and future scenarios in order to identify potential for improvement. In addition, implementation patterns of Industry 4.0 and IoT pioneers are analyzed for specific recommendations for action.

Similar projects have already been initiated by the VDMA or the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Darmstadt.