Developing a Company-Specific Technology Vision for Intralogistics Processes

Abstract

Autonomization and digitization in the context of Industry 4.0 are fundamentally changing logistics, with new approaches in this context offering great potential for intralogistics to solve the emerging challenges. However, companies need to look beyond the hype and recognize the opportunities and threats arising from Industry 4.0 and define target images that chart the way forward into the new world. For this reason, a methodical approach is required that efficiently guides a company through the identification of new technological opportunities for its intralogistics and additionally takes into account relevant information to increase people's acceptance. Therefore, the aim of this work is to develop a standardized method that provides a guideline for the design of a company-specific technology vision for intralogistics. Techniques of technology management are used and extended with a focus on a company-specific application in intralogistics. The method is applied to the logistics of a commercial vehicle manufacturer and expert surveys are used for an iterative optimization. Conventional approaches to strategic technology management are thus extended and a process-specific application view in intralogistics is made possible.