Artificial Intelligence as a Driver of Automation How PLE and AI Are Shaping the Future of Automation

Related Vendors

FAULHABER Drive Systems

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

Automation technology, which is strategically important for companies, is continuously progressing. If you want to keep up, you must remain flexible and open. Companies cannot afford to ignore the promising developments that are emerging if they want to stay competitive in automation. 

1. Artificial Intelligence as a Driver of Automation

The AI boom, which has been ongoing for some time, naturally has a profound impact on the field of automation. The ability to understand complex patterns and generate innovative solutions is making a significant contribution to the development of advanced automation technologies. Through continuous data analysis and monitoring of performance parameters, automated systems can optimize themselves, making AI an important driver that is here to stay.

2. Customer Experience for Successful Customer Retention 

It is fundamentally more expensive to acquire new customers than to retain existing ones. Manufacturers now seek not just a product, but a complete solution. Merely product-oriented business models will therefore be less successful than those which offer their customers a sustainable, long-term, all-in-one solution. Outstanding customer service, a focus on solutions and high quality standards are key components for a good customer experience and therefore successful customer loyalty.

3. Local Production for Fast and Reliable Supply Chains 

Supply chain bottlenecks have become more frequent since the global coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic and its consequences have made it clear how interconnected  international supply chains are—and how quickly theycan collapse. Since then, there has been a trend towards local production in order to be better equipped to deal with bottlenecks. Beyond reliable supply, sustainability is also key: shorter transportation routes cut CO₂ emissions, reducing environmental impact.

4. A European Cloud for Greater Competitiveness 

In a networked and data-driven world, the use of cloud infrastructure is becoming inevitable. It ensures efficient processing, storage and direct access to large volumes of data. A Europe-based cloud infrastructure is better suited to European requirements, especially in terms of data protection regulations, and strengthens the competitiveness of European companies.

5. Efficient Product Development through Variant Management and Product Line Engineering (PLE)

Product Line Engineering (PLE) is crucial to successfully mastering the growing complexity of products—combined with heterogeneous market requirements and unforeseen customer demands. PLE offers a proven approach to address this challenge. From the initial inquiry through to hardware, software components, and testing, an entire family of products is being developed, not just a single product.

This works because components and technical artifacts that belong to similar products often have a common basis, which differs only in product specifics. By viewing these similar products as a whole, rather than as individual, independent projects, the development process—and its management—can be simplified. This is the guiding principle of the product line approach. Companies benefit from numerous advantages, including efficient, cost-effective product development, minimized errors and inconsistencies, and the delivery of high-quality products.

About the Author

Manuela Kohlhas of pure::variants from PTC is a seasoned marketing professional with over a decade of experience and a focus on B2B technology companies. She has held senior positions in various organizations where she has driven strategic marketing efforts. Manuela holds a degree in Business Administration and a Master's degree in Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship from the TH Nuremberg and Linköpings Universitet Sweden.