The first day was dedi­cated to perspec­tives from the industry. Speakers explained how they approach topics like device manage­ment, data trans­parency and digital twins in their daily work. It became clear that there is no simple solu­tion. Every company has its own chal­lenges and prior­i­ties. But there was also agree­ment on one point: collab­o­ra­tion across indus­tries is neces­sary to make progress.

On the second day, the focus shifted to prac­tical exam­ples. Several demon­stra­tors showed how data flows from engi­neering to oper­a­tions, how device manage­ment can be simpli­fied and how digital cali­bra­tion certifi­cates work in prac­tice. These were not concepts for the future but solu­tions ready for use. Partic­i­pants could see how stan­dards like the Asset Admin­is­tra­tion Shell are applied to real prob­lems.

Throughout both days, the message remained the same. Digi­tal­i­sa­tion is not a ques­tion of tech­nology alone. It requires people who under­stand where value can be created and who are willing to work together to solve the gaps that still exist.

• Digital cali­bra­tion certifi­cates inte­grated into existing systems and processes

• Device manage­ment solu­tions supporting the entire life­cycle from commis­sioning to decom­mis­sioning

• Auto­mated engi­neering work­flows linking design, as-built docu­men­ta­tion and oper­a­tions

• Asset Admin­is­tra­tion Shells applied to real-world exam­ples in process indus­tries

• Digital twins supporting life­cycle manage­ment and providing consis­tent data for oper­a­tions

• Secure and effi­cient data exchange between compa­nies to support collab­o­ra­tion and compli­ance

Each demon­strator showed that these tech­nolo­gies are no longer future visions. They are ready to use, scal­able and capable of deliv­ering measur­able bene­fits today. The exam­ples made it clear that collab­o­ra­tion remains essen­tial to bring these solu­tions into daily prac­tice and unlock their full poten­tial.

Engi­neering to Oper­a­tions Data Conti­nuity

Data conti­nuity was a recur­ring theme. Several exam­ples showed how struc­tured data, created during engi­neering, can support oper­a­tions without dupli­ca­tion or loss of infor­ma­tion. Demon­stra­tors high­lighted how auto­mated docu­men­ta­tion, control loop checks and main­te­nance instruc­tions can build on existing data struc­tures, avoiding manual work and errors. This conti­nuity allows compa­nies to main­tain a clear view of assets and processes throughout their life­cycle.

Device Manage­ment Across Compa­nies

Managing devices throughout their life­cycle remains a complex task. Demon­stra­tors presented solu­tions for onboarding, managing and updating devices using shared data struc­tures and collab­o­ra­tive approaches. The presen­ta­tions showed how device manage­ment does not end at commis­sioning but continues through main­te­nance, updates and end-of-life. A centralised approach helps to main­tain trans­parency and ensure secu­rity.

Contin­uous Plant Engi­neering

Several contri­bu­tions focused on engi­neering processes and how to auto­mate repet­i­tive tasks. Demon­stra­tors showed how data flows from engi­neering tools into oper­a­tional systems, supporting as-built docu­men­ta­tion and control logic veri­fi­ca­tion. This approach reduces errors and rework, speeds up commis­sioning and ensures that oper­a­tional data reflects the reality of the plant config­u­ra­tion.

Collab­o­ra­tion Across Stake­holders

Throughout the event, the impor­tance of collab­o­ra­tion was clear. Digi­tal­i­sa­tion affects users, inte­gra­tors, manu­fac­turers and service providers alike. The event showed exam­ples where shared approaches, stan­dards and aligned data struc­tures enable collab­o­ra­tion beyond company bound­aries. Success depends not on isolated solu­tions but on ecosys­tems working together on common foun­da­tions.