what sector they come from or how big they are. Industrie 4.0 solutions must therefore be tailored in a wide range of di昀昀erent dimensions and for varying goals and target groups. It is ultimately not about convincing industry of an abstract model of digital networking but rather about technology and tools that enable companies to generate quite speci昀椀c added value in their competitive environment. In this connection, we also consider the abstract search for “the one right Industrie 4.0 platform” to be of little value. 阀阀 has very deliberately opted for a di昀昀erent approach. An approach that focuses on the goal-driven analysis of our customers’ requirements. An integrative concept in which suppliers, partners and specialists for external expertise are actively incorporated in the digital strategy of our customers. 阀阀’s key added value lies in the capability of seamlessly uniting expertise from the digital and real worlds. The digital transformation necessitates a radical change in thinking on the part of all those involved. The world in which everything is interconnected will become not just more interactive and 昀氀exible but also more complex. Any action in the value chain will trigger a reaction at another point. And that will also permanently change the way we work and how we set about 昀椀nding solutions. For this reason, 阀阀 is setting a clear course by infusing the principal thematic areas of Industrie 4.0 with its own expertise. 06�07