Dr. Göbel particularly pointed to the importance of secure data processing within the customer infrastructure and a high level of data governance as key elements in CONTACT’s AI strategy. While Contact’s CPO, Frank Patz-Brockmann, presented the highlights of the latest platform version and gave an insight into the upcoming CONTACT Elements 16, due to launch in 2025.
Powerful performance boost
With the new version, users will get, among other things, a performance increase, six times faster, more efficient memory usage and optimization for cloud infrastructure and web interface.
Patz-Brockmann also claimed that Elements better than before supports companies in creating a sustainable product life cycle. The platform already provides capabilities to calculate the product’s carbon footprint, comprehensive material data management and seamless integration of supplier data.
In several sessions, CONTACT’s experts then demonstrated new features of the platform and outlined the innovation roadmap.
For example, ”Elements for IoT” can now be used as an energy management system, enabling companies to monitor, analyze and sustainably reduce their energy consumption. It is eligible for government subsidies in Germany.
Furthermore, CONTACT’s project management software, ”Project Office”, focuses on improved performance for complex projects and optimized usability, supporting occasional users even better in their work.
One of the various updates planned for CIM Database PLM is a comprehensively revised Engineering Change Management feature. Another was that Microsoft Office for web integration CONTACT’s SaaS solution CIM Database Cloud now allows users to create and edit Office documents directly in the cloud client.
Case studies from Audi, BASF and other customers
As usual in these contexts, a number of case studies were also on the agenda. Among others was PLM insights from digitization projects delivered by Audi, BASF Polyurethanes, Huber+Suhner and Woco Industrietechnik.
Also interesting among the case stories was the Automation specialist PIA Automation Holding started the presentations. Med Thomas Ernst highlighted the central role of the CIM Database in unifying the group, which was formed by several companies. His advice to the audience regarding digital transformation was clear:
”Don’t wait, others are doing it now!”
