
Eric Brabänder takes over as CEO of Empolis
Eric Brabänder took over as CEO of Empolis on July 1, 2026. The long-time product and AI expert succeeds Andreas Klüter at the helm of the software company.

Eric Brabänder took over as CEO of Empolis on July 1, 2026. The long-time product and AI expert succeeds Andreas Klüter at the helm of the software company.

Inosoft GmbH is acquiring Swiss-based Inosoft AG in its entirety. Thomas Helmbold will become the new managing director, and the company's headquarters will move to Thayngen.

The Hamburg-based software provider Cybus will have a dual leadership structure going forward: Stefan Schwab will join co-founder Peter Sorowka as co-CEO.

With the acquisition of VPIphotonics, Keysight Technologies is expanding its software portfolio for photonics development. Going forward, these solutions will cover the entire design process, from component physics to the simulation of complete optical systems.

The Wago Group is further expanding its building automation business and has acquired the 'Zaphire' building management system (BMS) from the Scandinavian group Granitor.

Check Point Software Technologies has introduced 'Check Point AI Defense Plane'. This unified AI security control plane helps organizations manage the networking, deployment and operation of AI across the enterprise.

The European research project 'Increace' is setting a milestone for the circular economy: a network of universities, research institutes and industry partners has presented a comprehensive set of basic principles and a new evaluation tool that should significantly advance the use of recycled plastics in electronic products.

IFS is introducing a new pricing model designed to simplify access to 'Industrial AI'. Instead of paying per user, companies will in future pay per asset operated, enabling company-wide use without cost increases.

Nota AI and SiMa.ai have agreed on a strategic collaboration to develop AI solutions for industrial applications. The aim is to optimize AI models for use directly on devices at the network edge, where high computing power and energy efficiency are required simultaneously.

The Industrial Digital Twin Association (IDTA) and the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA) have agreed to cooperate in order to link digital twins and data spaces more closely in future. The aim is to strengthen interoperability, secure data usage and data sovereignty in industrial value creation networks and thus create the basis for new data-based applications and business models.

Capgemini has signed an agreement to acquire Piterion. The company specializes in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) and is successful in networking critical manufacturing systems and operating complex PLM landscapes.
What does modern production look like when sensor technology, the cloud and IIoT work together seamlessly? A look behind the scenes at ifm shows how the Group not only develops its own IIoT platform 'moneo', but also consistently uses it in its own production.

Virtual commissioning is becoming a strategic success factor in manufacturing. A study by Visual Components shows why early simulation reduces costs, minimizes risks and ensures competitiveness.

Fujitsu has announced the launch of a dedicated AI platform that will enable organizations to independently manage the entire lifecycle of generative AI - from optimal model development, operations and incremental learning to continuous improvement of models and agents. The platform will be rolled out gradually in Japan and Europe, with pre-registration for trial versions set to begin in February 2026.

TeamViewer has introduced 'Agentless Access', an extension of the 'Tensor' enterprise platform. The function enables industrial companies to securely maintain machines and control systems remotely without having to install software locally on the devices.

Hilscher has released a new version of the 'netField Cloud'. With version 4.0, the company is expanding the platform for industrial device management with new functions and an optimized user experience.

AI-supported manufacturing platform for SMEs
Proalpha acquires Spanish MES provider Mapex and expands its portfolio with an AI-supported, modular MES platform for digital shopfloor, ERP integration and international expansion.

GEA and Romanian technology company RebelDot have formed a strategic joint venture to drive digital transformation in the global process industry. The company, named 'RebelDot Process Industries', will be headquartered in Cluj, Romania, and will start operations in January 2026.

TeamViewer is expanding its Tensor enterprise platform to include "Agentless Access", enabling secure remote access to industrial systems without the need for local software installation.

Werner von Siemens Fellows 2025
Five outstanding research talents were honored as Werner von Siemens Fellows 2025 in the Trumpf Auditorium in Ditzingen on December 12. The Werner von Siemens Ring Foundation honors researchers whose work has made an exceptional contribution to the advancement of science and technology in Germany right from the start of their career.