550 participants once again found their way to the Circle Convention Center Zurich to listen to and discuss in person the customer and partner presentations representing the work of ServiceNow Switzerland, as well as to meet for further knowledge exchange and extensive networking. The number of customers from the IT sector and increasingly also from the business sector was highly impressive, which speaks for the expertise and development of ServiceNow as a company that has been based in Switzerland for 12 years.

The agenda at the ServiceNow Summit 2024 in Zurich included 23 presentations, 17 of which involved customer participation. They all showed how ServiceNow's solutions can be used profitably to drive digital transformation, process optimization and change in organizations - from service operations and customer service to HR and finance.

Added value for customers is crucial

The summit was clearly dominated by customer and partner engagement as well as the current topics of Gen AI, automation, CSM and the future of work and digitalization. The focus was on various industries such as public administration, the energy sector and retail/consumer packaged goods.

The numerous customer presentations were orchestrated by global, regional and local partners addressing specific market segments, industries or use cases. Accenture, Deloitte, DXC Technology, Swisscom and Plat4mation acted as sponsors and presenters at the summit.

Dino Minichiello, the Swiss Head of ServiceNow, who has been managing the business of ServiceNow since January 2024, says with conviction: "At ServiceNow, with our long-standing partners, we advise our customers on how to use the latest technologies for digital workflows and automation, such as Gen AI, to enable a more dynamic and efficient alignment of people and work and help find new ways of working in the future. We make companies more efficient, competitive and sustainable with technologies such as generative AI and SuperTech. Switzerland is an important market for us and our investments and long-standing collaborations in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland reflect our long-term strategy in Switzerland."

The 17 customer presentations at the Summit illustrated the benefits of the Now Platform and how new Gen AI functions of Now Assist increase productivity in the company, achieve cost savings and enable the scaling of innovations.

The engaged participants listened intently to the keynote speech on "Intelligent Enterprise - Transform to a digital Operating Model" by Hartmut Müller, Chief Transformation Officer at ServiceNow. He explained how to get the best out of a platform and how the Now platform enables companies to do just that while leveraging the capabilities of AI.

Digital transformation with ServiceNow

After the keynote, a customer panel with Bell Group and the Austrian OMV highlighted how customers can achieve digital transformation with the help of ServiceNow. In three breakout streams on topics such as Customer Service Management (CSM), Core IT & beyond and App Delivery and Automation, the ServiceNow Summit showed how selected partners are working with customers to intelligently transform and automate work into modern workflows.

On the topic of Customer Service Management (CSM), JTI (Japan Tobacco International) presented their journey to delivering world-class consumer care based on the ServiceNow platform and how they overcame the many challenges of rolling it out in multiple markets around the globe. SBB Contact Center shared how they partnered with DXC to develop an assisted mobility solution with the goal of providing the best support services to passengers in need of assistance throughout their journey.

The Public Services stream showed how Swiss Post is working with Swisscom to manage the company-wide ITSM transformation in order to take a major step towards operational excellence. And another presentation with partner Prozessfux showed how the canton of Zurich's citizens' and tax offices are directly networked. In the App Delivery and Automation Track, Cablex also presented how its service engineers can act faster and more competently in the installation and maintenance of connectivity boxes at the customer's premises with the support of an AI-guided app.

User experience and customer service

In terms of user experience (UX), Roche presented the topic "Building a next generation user centric risk and privacy platform" with partner EY. The speakers showed how simple and intuitive interfaces for security and data protection processes promote compliance, reduce inefficiencies and optimize costs in the long term.

The AMAG Group explained how it intends to further improve customer service together with its partner BitHawk, including through the use of artificial intelligence. BKW showed how the introduction of HR service delivery can result from IT service management and create a significantly better experience (EX) for all employees. Using the customer example of Regionalwerke AG Baden, Michael Nussbaumer, CIO of Regionalwerke AG Baden, who was named CIO of the Year in 2023, presented his vision for the transition to a digital operating model.

Finally, Heath Ramsey, VP Outbound Product Management, ServiceNow, explained in his keynote how the benefits of Generative AI can be fully realized when it is embedded in a cross-company platform. He also showed how companies can already use AI for everyday tasks with Virtual Assist from ServiceNow, in IT service management as well as in employee or customer-facing processes.

The enthusiastic audience appreciated the varied presentations, which were very authentic and informative thanks to the dialogs between partners and their customers. There was plenty to talk about at the networking aperitif to round off the interesting ServiceNow Summit 2024 in Zurich.

Source: www.servicenow.com

Every year at the Swiss Economic Forum, nine nominated finalists have the opportunity to pitch their business idea to the first-class jury and influential players from Swiss business, science and politics. The Swiss Economic Award honors outstanding entrepreneurial achievements in the categories "Services", "Deeptech/Lifesciences" and "Production/Commerce". This year's winners are:

• Flowit AG (in the Services category) - The generative AI-based "Digital Coach" takes the pressure off HR and managers: the Zurich-based start-up enables frontline employees to receive feedback and development in real time. Since September 2021, the company has acquired over 50 customers with more than 30,000 employees who have been able to reduce their fluctuation costs by up to 50 percent with the SaaS solution.

• Voliro AG (in the Deeptech/Lifesciences category) - Voliro is revolutionizing inspection, maintenance and repair work at height with innovative drones. By taking out 31 annual subscriptions for its Robotics-as-a-Service solution in just 14 months, Voliro has proven that its technology is not only innovative, versatile and adaptable, but also in high demand.

• Qumea AG (in the manufacturing/commercial category) - Qumea is revolutionizing healthcare with an innovative, anonymous patient room monitoring system that improves care processes through proactive risk management, fall prevention and medical decision support. 90 facilities are already using the system and Qumea continues to work to make care sustainable.

Source: www.swisseconomic.ch

In August, at least 85 people will start the three-year apprenticeship as a solar installer EFZ and at least 10 people will start the two-year apprenticeship as a solar technician EBA. A total of 163 companies have received a training permit for solar apprenticeships. 26 approval procedures are still ongoing. The official apprenticeship portal berufsberatung.ch currently has 72 unfilled apprenticeship vacancies. According to the cantonal education offices, the breakdown by canton at the beginning of June is as follows:

*No figures available yet

The two new job profiles are one of several measures to combat the shortage of skilled workers in the booming solar industry. According to the recently published short report on the demand for skilled workers by EBP Switzerland and Swissolar, the Swiss solar industry currently provides employment for 11,000 full-time equivalents (FTEs). In order to achieve the goals of the Energy Strategy 2050, the industry must grow to 20,000 FTEs by 2035. In the medium term, the need is therefore for around 850 new full-time positions per year. At the beginning of this school year, Swissolar is expecting at least 120 apprentices, and in the medium term around 300 apprenticeships per year. Swissolar is developing courses and other training opportunities for the additional skilled workers required in order to make it easier for career changers to enter the industry.

A lot of commitment from companies

Rita Hidalgo, Head of Education at Swissolar, comments on the figures from the cantonal education offices: "The professions have been approved since October 1, 2023. Despite this short lead time, 200 companies have already decided to train apprentices. That is impressive. After all, training apprentices means not only the administrative effort for permits, but also the demanding organization of training. It is very pleasing that the solar apprenticeship is off to such a fast start."

Michèle Ofri, Head of Vocational Marketing at Swissolar, says: "There is a great deal of interest in the new profession. Companies are clearly relieved that there is now a specific apprenticeship for solar installers in the form of a solar apprenticeship. Young people are interested in this exciting profession because it offers them a varied range of manual work in modern companies. Some of the inquiries for taster apprenticeships have exceeded the capacity of the requested companies."

Apprentices look forward to the profession of the future 

Ben Gonda, for example, says about his motivation: "I'm interested in the apprenticeship because solar energy is important for the future. I'm looking forward to being outside and working on the roofs." Gonda will start his solar apprenticeship at Jenni Energietechnik in Oberburg BE in August. Tobias Blatter, future apprentice at Alex Gemperle AG in Hünenberg ZG, is also looking forward to the start of his training: "I'm an enthusiastic craftsman. For me, the solar apprenticeship is a step towards my future career."

Content of the two apprenticeship qualifications

The path to becoming a "solar installer with a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ)" involves a three-year apprenticeship. The future solar professionals learn everything that goes into building a solar system: assembly, installation, maintenance and dismantling. Solar technicians with a federal vocational certificate (EBA) complete a two-year apprenticeship. Their field of work includes the assembly and dismantling of systems. Those who already have a Federal Vocational Certificate or high school diploma can complete the apprenticeship in a shortened form. This August, 19 people will start a shortened apprenticeship. 

Source: www.swissolar.ch / www.solarlehre.ch 

The willingness to travel is very high across all sections of the population: 92% of all respondents plan to take at least one vacation trip in 2024. Around half are even planning at least three trips this year. This includes all private trips with at least one overnight stay away from home, including visits to friends or relatives. 

"The high willingness to travel underlines the importance of mobility and relaxation in society," explains Comparis mobility expert Adi Kolecic. "Travel is significantly more expensive than before the pandemic. Nevertheless, very few people want to do without vacation trips," Kolecic continues.

Half spend more than 1,000 francs on vacations

The Swiss spend a lot on their vacations: almost half of those surveyed said they would spend more than CHF 1,000 on their longest vacation in 2024. 64% of high-income earners with a gross household income of more than CHF 8,000 will spend more than CHF 1,000 per person on their main vacation, with 21% even spending more than CHF 3,000. By comparison, only 3% of those on low incomes (gross monthly income: up to CHF 4,000) have a travel budget of more than CHF 3,000 for their longest vacation trip.

Majority plan at least three vacation trips this year

51 percent of respondents are planning at least three private trips in 2024. Here too, differences in income shape travel behavior: Around two thirds of people with a high income will take at least three trips this year, but so will a third of people with a low income.

"The high wage level in Switzerland enables most people to travel several times a year. Despite higher prices, travel costs are low in relation to income," says the Comparis expert.

Only very few people spend their main vacation in Switzerland

Only 15 percent of respondents spend their longest private trip at home. Europe is the most popular destination: almost two thirds travel to other European countries for their main vacation. One in five people prefer non-European destinations. Respondents with a high income are more likely to travel to other continents than those with a low income. In contrast, people with a low income are more likely to stay in Switzerland.

"Compared to our neighboring countries, the Swiss spend more of their vacations abroad. On the one hand, this is probably due to the size of the country. On the other hand, the strong franc makes traveling abroad more attractive for Swiss holidaymakers," says Kolecic.

Families prefer summer, older people travel in fall

The most popular time to travel is summer: 54% of the longest private trips take place at this time of year. While families prefer summer (69%), people aged 56 and over tend to travel in the fall (41%). 

As the main travel season, summer tends to be more popular in Romansh-speaking Switzerland than in German-speaking Switzerland.

The higher the income, the longer the vacation

The Comparis analysis shows that: Income has a strong influence on travel behavior. While almost 97% of people from high-income households will travel at least once this year, the figure for low-income households is 83%. 

"Travel remains a question of disposable income. However, the willingness to travel is relatively high even with lower incomes," comments Kolecic.

Almost half of the longest vacation trips (49 percent) last at least 8 nights. There are clear differences in income here: Only just under 34% of people from low-income households spend longer than a week on their main vacation. However, this is the case for 59% of people with a high income. 

Travel is significantly more expensive than before the pandemic

Comparis launched the Leisure Price Index in May 2024. It measures inflation in the areas of leisure and culture as well as hospitality and travel. It shows that prices for air travel have risen by 33.3 percent within five years. Package tours and the hotel industry have also become significantly more expensive.

However, the higher flight prices do not seem to be a deterrent: Almost one in two people travel by plane for their main vacation. Vacation flights are particularly popular with the young and urban population.

Source: www.comparis.ch

Even if digitalization, let alone the introduction of AI in modern manufacturing, is still progressing comparatively slowly, practical examples at the Future Manufacturing Event by Operations1 show how industrial companies can benefit from advanced technologies and intelligent manufacturing strategies today. In the following, I would therefore like to summarize some of the most important findings and derive how digitalization in manufacturing can be further advanced in the future.

How far along is digitalization in manufacturing?

Just a few years ago, Industry 4.0 was the big buzzword. According to a study report by BitKom from 2022, 90 % of the companies surveyed wanted to use Industry 4.0 applications in the future or were planning to do so. However, a recent survey by Staufen on digitalization in 2024 shows that the majority of willing companies are unable to implement these plans due to a lack of human resources (58 %) and unstructured data (53 %). In principle, the prerequisites are in place, as the market now offers many different solutions that provide digital support for a wide range of business areas - even without a great deal of human resources.

Driving the digitalization of store floor processes with innovative solutions 

ProMinent GmbH is a good example of why traditional workflows urgently need to be translated into digital processes, especially when internal personnel resources are limited. Previously, the manufacturer of dosing technology and dosing pumps worked with analog error cards. Christian Braun from ProMinent describes the former process as very tedious. Employees first had to look up error codes on A4 lists before they could even fill in the cards. There was also an accompanying card that had to be attached to the corresponding product. However, not every employee always carried out this task at the same time; some even collected data throughout the week, only to enter it all at once by hand - and therefore often incorrectly. The error cards were then passed on to the next employee, who had to manually enter the results into Excel. Further Excel lists were added during the ongoing process. In other words, a lot of effort that cost employees a lot of time.

ProMinent therefore plans to introduce digital checklists, work instructions and error collection cards for quality management, which will enable everything to be bundled via a networked digital interface. There will only be one associated error card for each error code, and the accompanying card will be replaced by a QR code that the worker simply has to stick on. All the data then comes together in our Connected Worker platform and, thanks to the SAP connection, an evaluation can also be digitally compiled directly.

When introducing digital processes, it is particularly important to get employees on board from the very first step and to demonstrate the future process in an understandable way. Even the initial skepticism of long-established workers quickly gave way to great enthusiasm after the convenient and time-saving scanning process was demonstrated to them.

Standardized processes and cloud solutions for more flexibility

The benefits of digitalization are particularly evident in quality inspection. At Quantum-Systems GmbH, a manufacturer of reconnaissance drones and other products, the move towards a digital future was unavoidable because order processing could no longer be handled with the usual level of quality due to increasing sales volumes and a rapidly growing workforce. In addition, production is subject to special requirements, as each installed part must be clearly traceable by serial number. An act that was previously recorded on paper and laboriously scanned. Digitization has created easy-to-follow work instructions that allow new employees to enter production with a significantly shorter training phase. Overall, digitization made the processes more transparent and traceable at all times, which enabled Quantum-Systems to qualify for the EN9100 certification, which is important in the aerospace sector. Because all instructions are stored digitally in the cloud, adjustments can also be made quickly and across the board. This allows the company to react flexibly to customer requests and changes at any time.

Artificial intelligence as a competitive advantage

In addition to traditional digitalization, intelligent manufacturing, i.e. the use of artificial intelligence, is also playing an increasingly important role. More and more companies are being asked by their management to implement improvements through AI in all departments. The ability of AI to make predictions and derive recommendations for action opens up new potential for manufacturing companies in many areas - from order processing to quality control. Nevertheless, traditional companies in particular are asking themselves how this can be achieved.

It doesn't always have to be a large-scale AI project. One example of how AI can be easily and, above all, usefully integrated into existing process chains is our AI Shopfloor Assistant, which integrates seamlessly into our Connected Worker platform and makes processes even more efficient and automated for companies.

Strengthened for the future of manufacturing

The use of AI on the store floor will solve numerous problems in the future and, thanks to technologies such as machine learning and computer vision, will lead to improved interactions between humans and machines. This increases safety in the workplace and allows employees to focus more on value-adding activities.

The manufacturing industry is at a turning point and those who don't take the plunge now will be left behind sooner or later. That's why Lena Weirauch, CEO & Co-Founder at ai-omatic solutions, recommends simply taking the plunge, because the barriers to entry for the use of generative AI have never been lower. Business decision-makers in manufacturing need to understand how critical the integration of advanced technologies such as AI, cloud solutions and digital transformation tools is for the future of the entire industry. These technologies are no longer distant visions, but concrete tools that are already creating competitive advantages and increasing industrial efficiency. It is noticeable that the fear of new technologies is gradually fading and giving way to a pragmatic and goal-oriented acceptance. This reflects a global trend that is gaining importance across industry boundaries.

About the author: Benjamin Brockmann has been CEO and co-founder of Operations1 since 2017. He studied at the Technical University of Munich from 2014 to 2016 and conducted research together with his co-founders at the Fraunhofer Institute, where he also received the content basis for the foundation through his master's thesis on worker information systems. He gained further experience at KPMG in IT & Finance Consulting and at Arthur D. Little in Strategy, Innovation & Technology. In his spare time, he enjoys using his international private pilot's license to see the world from above and playing tennis. More at www.operations1.com.

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/entfesselung-digitaler-potenziale-in-der-modernen-fertigung/

For employers, this means there is a need for action if they want to be and remain attractive to young talent. This is shown by a recent target group survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Hirschtech and Haiilo among 501 employees aged 18 to 29.

Flexible working hours and models are most important for Gen Z

It is also clear that if they were allowed to design their own working environment, the most important thing for almost three quarters (71%) of 18 to 29-year-olds would be flexible working hours and models. For almost half (48%), meaningful and varied work tasks are particularly relevant, followed by a strict separation of private and professional life (32%). This suggests that the majority of young professionals long above all for flexibility in their working day. Companies in which remote working is generally possible should therefore establish hybrid working models in the long term and continuously develop them with employees.

The majority of young professionals consider intergenerational cooperation to be good

The assessment of cross-generational collaboration in the digital workplace is positive. 84% of 18 to 29-year-olds consider it to be good and only 9% consider it to be poor. Collaboration and knowledge sharing between older and younger colleagues therefore appears to be working well in the digital workplace for the most part from the Gen Z perspective.

Women and men rate their working environment differently

While 82% of young women consider flexible working hours and models to be very important, only 62% of men do. It is also clear that while over a third (36%) of male respondents want digital working environments that are tailored to different areas of activity and roles, this figure is only 20% for women. The desire for flexibility in the choice of work location and working hours therefore appears to be even more pronounced among young women than among young men. This suggests that for Gen Z women, working models that suit their respective phase of life, give them freedom and have a positive impact on their well-being are particularly important. Men, on the other hand, seem to be more often in digital or technical professions and have a correspondingly higher need for a digital working environment that suits their activities. 

"Due to demographic change and the labor shortage, one thing is more important than ever for companies today: attracting young talent in particular and being an attractive employer for them in the long term. However, Gen Z employees are still far from finding exactly the digital working environment they want everywhere. It is therefore important for companies to analyze their own work processes and corporate culture in detail, show a willingness to change and, above all, provide employees with a digital workplace that meets their needs, generates added value and saves resources and costs at the same time," says Khaled Thaler, Chief Sales Officer, Hirschtech.

"Any company that wants to reach young employees in particular and retain them in the long term should also offer them a real digital home. In short: Gen Z wants networking, wants interaction, wants to share knowledge and that's exactly why tools like a social intranet are needed. This way, every employee - no matter where they are and what device they are using - The company's employees not only always receive exactly the information that is important to them personally. Each and every individual can also play an active role in the company's activities, for example in virtual communities. In a hybrid working environment, all of this promotes loyalty and a bond with the company," explains Malte Witt, Vice President Sales EMEA, Haiilo.

Source: www.hirschtec.eu

Using key industry data and based on a recent survey of over 700 engineers worldwide, Protolabs' annual 3D Printing Trend Report reveals a recognizably positive sentiment within the market, boosted in particular by small- and large-format 3D printing applications, and a growing potential for additive manufacturing at production level as the technology's applications increasingly move beyond prototyping.

Additive manufacturing: Potential for production

The results of the Protolabs study clearly show, among other things, that the central fields of application of additive manufacturing are increasingly evolving from prototyping to a variety of manufacturing applications. The annual report also shows that a steady production volume is being served by 3D printing: The number of respondents who stated that they had printed more than 10 parts in the comparative period rose from 36% in 2020 to 49% in 2021, reaching a new high of 76% in the current 2023 survey.

The attitude of design and engineering teams towards the interaction between additive processes and production is also changing: the factor "production volume and scalability" was cited by 45% of respondents as the main reason for preferring other manufacturing methods to 3D printing - a slight decrease from 47% in the previous year.

Innovative materials on the rise

Furthermore, the report shows that a comprehensive range of available materials and associated printing technologies will play a crucial role in shaping future use cases. For example, almost a third of respondents stated that multi-material printing will have the biggest impact on 3D printing, followed by hybrid manufacturing, which combines additive manufacturing with traditional manufacturing and fabrication processes.

Industry experts also emphasize the importance of the materials available for 3D printing. For example, future market launches of highly specialized materials developed for 3D printing applications will offer even more room for innovation. Adam Hecht from 3DP design studio DIVE explained: "Many companies are currently developing material blends that are explicitly and exclusively adapted to additive manufacturing. The main focus here is on adapting the materials to the various fields of application - be it conventional thermoplastics that have been newly developed for 3D printing or resins that are not only suitable for prototyping, but also for very special applications with high temperatures and high elasticity."

AI as a driving force

The excitement around artificial intelligence can be felt in almost every industry and 3D printing is no exception. The Protolabs survey shows that although the great expectation of a complete revolution within the industry through AI has not yet been fully realized, intelligent 3D printers are getting smarter, which has a significant impact on the user experience. Almost a third of respondents cited automatic print optimization as the most important influencing factor of AI, followed by non-planar FDM printing through improved slicer software (25 percent). In addition, respondents believe that design for additive manufacturing will also benefit from AI innovations, for example in terms of topology optimization, multiphysics process simulation and AI-generated CAD.

As a partner for additive manufacturing, Protolabs works with customers all over the world. The company uses plastic and metal 3D printing technologies to meet customer requirements for prototypes and production parts. In 2023, Protolabs' 3D printing service generated over 77.5 million euros in revenue through its own manufacturing subsidiaries with a focus on rapid production and through manufacturing partners from the Protolabs Network.

Source: www.protolabs.com

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/nutzung-neuer-druckanwendungen-beschleunigt-wachstum-der-industrie/

"The fact that we have achieved this impressive amount is thanks to the long-standing commitment and trust of our partner companies," emphasizes Thomas Hügli, President of the Board of Trustees.

Switzerland is an innovative country. Nowhere else in Europe are so many new patents filed per million inhabitants. 966 patent applications per million inhabitants were filed in 2020 - compared to 146 per million inhabitants in the EU. This drive for innovation is also evident in the SMEs that submit projects to the Swiss Climate Foundation and request funding. "We are registering an increased number of high-quality inquiries with real potential for climate protection," says Vincent Eckert, Managing Director of the foundation, "It is good that the business community is so active for the climate and for Switzerland and Liechtenstein as a location for innovation."

Five of the funded projects from the first funding round 2024:

A children's book mole as godfather for the "Grabowski" project from Winterthur/ZH

Borobotics GmbH from Winterthur is being funded with the submitted project "Grabowski". This is a drilling robot designed for geothermal drilling in confined spaces such as city centers. Borobotics has invented a new method of drilling boreholes for near-surface geothermal energy by integrating the entire drilling rig into the borehole. This makes the entire structure above ground much slimmer and smaller, the drilling machine reduces CO2 emissions and makes geothermal energy much more accessible, Incidentally, the project name comes from the children's book "The Mole Grabowski" by Luis Murschetz.

The innovative mini wind turbine from Bubendorf/BL

Bubendorf-based VentoStream AG is active in the wind energy sector and impressed the Swiss Climate Foundation with its "Tornado 1" project. With a diameter of 3.2 meters, a VentoStream wind turbine is smaller and more compact than conventional wind turbines. "Our technology is three times more effective and economical than conventional wind turbines," promises CEO Manuel Bernsau. "Nine small VentoStream wind turbines produce the same amount of electricity as a 3-megawatt wind turbine over 200 meters high. Thanks to the innovative design, there is no shadow, bird or ice impact and noise emissions are reduced."

Lightweight mower from Rotkreuz/ZG

One of the funded projects is the "Autonomous lightweight mower for agriculture" idea from Zug-based HILLBOT GmbH. "With our solution, an average farm can save 4 tons of CO2 per year," emphasizes initiator Amadeo Knüsel. The cultivation of agricultural land is energy-intensive, and the use of many heavy machines leads to soil compaction and contributes to soil erosion. By using the lightweight mower, which weighs only around 50 kg, HILLBOT offers a holistic solution with a demonstrable impact on climate protection.

Solid-state power amplifier from Pully/VD

"We are electrifying industry by providing microwaves to heat industrial processes," explains Markus Aicheler from SolidWatts. To achieve this, the company develops, builds and supplies transistor-based microwave generators. For the first time, this technology is being used to generate microwaves on an industrial scale in order to generate heat in the materials used in industrial processes. According to SolidWatts, the overall system energy efficiency is over 85 %.

Using clay to reduce CO2 emissions in the construction industry from Geneva/GE

In new buildings, the ceilings are often a driver of CO2 emissions due to the use of concrete. This is where Geneva-based Terrabloc SA comes in with the project that is now being funded. The company is developing an innovatively shaped block made of wood and earth - i.e. clay - for ceiling production. This block is placed between the beams of a wooden floor. Terrabloc is being funded by the Swiss Climate Foundation for the third time after 2019 and 2020.

Next submission deadline is September 1

The foundation has been awarding funding to climate-innovative projects that have a sustainable impact on climate protection for 16 years. With the funds awarded from the first funding round in 2024, the amount of funding used to date exceeds the CHF 40 million mark. The Foundation Board of the Swiss Climate Foundation decides twice a year on the applications received. In addition to the spring funding round, there is also one in the fall. The next submission deadline is September 1, 2024.

Source: www.klimastiftung.ch

Marcel Kupferschmied, long-standing CEO of Abacus Business Solutions AG (ABS), is handing over the operational management of ABS to Silas Schneider at the end of 2024. Marcel Kupferschmied will continue to make his expertise and experience available to ABS as Delegate of the Board of Directors from 2025. Nadine Frauenfelder-Winkler, Robin Kropf and Roman Pöllinger will continue to complete the Executive Board of ABS.

Silas Schneider will join ABS on October 1, 2024 and assume the role of CEO from January 1, 2025. He brings extensive experience from his previous role as CEO of abonax, where he played a key role in the establishment and successful development of the company for over six years.

"We are convinced that Silas Schneider, with his experience and expertise, will lead Abacus Business Solutions AG into a continued successful future and look forward to working with him in the future," commented Daniel Senn, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abacus.

Source: www.abacus.ch

The challenges of digitalization and digital change are not lost on any Swiss SME. It is often not easy to maintain an overview - and this is where the experience of others can help.

At the second edition of the ONE Expert Forum on September 12, 2024, participants will learn from experts from Swiss companies how they have used suitable strategies, ideas and IT solutions to solve specific problems, open up new business areas and turn challenges into opportunities. Information and know-how from SMEs for SMEs - up-to-date, direct, without detours.

Inspiring location

The venue is unique: the idyllic hayloft awaits guests right on the edge of the forest, yet still centrally located.

The keynote entitled "Help! We've been hacked!" is dedicated to the hot topic of cybersecurity. This will be followed by two sessions in which representatives of Swiss SMEs will talk about their digital initiatives and will also be available for discussions. 

Sawsan Studer from Belimed AG, for example, explains how her company tackled the optimization of the customer journey. And Urs Rindlisbacher from Auditrium AG shows, among other things, the advantages of adapting the processes to the system instead of the other way around.

In a stimulating atmosphere, valuable impulses and ideas for success in the digital future will once again be conveyed. Networking will not be neglected either. Generous breaks will allow you to make contact with other guests. The informative afternoon will end with an aperitif and dinner.

Source and further information on registration: www.one-fachforum.ch

Every two years, the Power Days bring together experts, decision-makers, specialists and innovative companies from the Swiss electricity and energy industry. Together with the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (VSE), Electrosuisse, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and swissmig, the Power Days promote dialog on current, complex issues and the exchange of knowledge.

Focus on key industry topics

The tenth edition of the meeting place for the Swiss electricity industry will take place at Messe Zürich from June 4 to 6, 2024 - precisely in the week in which the new Electricity Act, which is intended to set the course for a successful transformation of the energy system, will be voted on in Switzerland. Under the guiding theme "Transformation to a sustainable energy system", three specialist forums and the exhibition will shed light on key topics: renewable electricity supply, security of supply in Switzerland, digitalization and artificial intelligence as well as skills change - all cross-cutting issues for the economy and society.

Highlights in the Powertage specialist forum

The Powertage expert forum, organized under the patronage of the VSE, will start on 4 June 2024 with a focus on the political course and framework conditions of the energy transition. Konrad Zöschg, Head of Technology at Swissgrid, will open the forum with his keynote speech "Innovation & digitalization in the transmission grid", in which he will present concrete examples of innovative and digitalized further development of the grid. Afterwards, SFOE Director Benoît Revaz, the Secretary General of the EnDK Jan Flückiger, VSE Director Michael Frank and Konrad Zöschg will discuss the necessary course for the progress of the energy transition.

On the second day, under the patronage of Electrosuisse, the focus will be on core technological elements. Rudolf Meier, President of CIGRE CH, Managing Director of EnerTrans and Head of EVT at Bouygues Energies & Services, will provide an overview of CIGRE.org and show practical examples of how the knowledge management platform can be used efficiently to create and share expertise on energy systems. This will be followed by presentations on important trends such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, electromobility integration and power electronics in electricity grids.

The last day, Thursday, June 6, 2024, is dedicated to transformation and collaboration. In his keynote speech "The Power of Imagineering - A Guide to Shaping the Future", transformation researcher Jörg Metelmann emphasizes that real change requires not only knowledge and skills but also social participation. This will be followed by Franziska Barmettler (Zurich Cantonal Councillor and Head of Sustainability at IKEA Switzerland)Alexander Keberle (member of the Executive Board and responsible for the energy dossier at economiesuisse) and Alena Weibel (Head of Corporate Communications at Axpo) will take a seat on the podium to discuss the challenges of the energy transition, the lessons learned in recent years and future paths.

Leading providers under one roof

Around 150 leading suppliers from the industry will be presenting their products, technologies and services from various areas of the electricity industry at the Powertage exhibition. Energy start-ups will also provide exciting impetus by showcasing their innovations in the xplor Startup Village. The classic exhibition will be complemented by the Speakers Corner, where start-ups will compete in the afternoon with innovation pitches and established companies will present their solutions and products.

Source: www.powertage.ch

With a turnover of around 5 billion US dollars, Forvis Mazars is one of the world's leading networks and, with its promotion to the top 10 global auditing and consulting firms, is bringing movement back into the ranking for the first time after decades without change.

With only two member firms, Forvis Mazars has a unique position in the market as a network and has the agility, capacity and coverage to support clients worldwide in the areas of audit, tax and advisory. This strategic move increases market choice in the public interest.

The network includes the two companies Forvis Mazars, LLP in the USA and Forvis Mazars Group SC, an internationally integrated partnership operating in over 100 countries and regions. A Global Network Board is responsible for managing the new network and ensuring seamless cooperation and comprehensive client support worldwide.

Its first Chairman will be Hervé Hélias, who will also retain his role as Chairman of the Group Executive Board of Forvis Mazars Group SC (formerly Mazars Group). Matt Snow, Chairman of Forvis Mazars, LLP (formerly Forvis, LLP) will become Vice Chairman of the Global Network Board.

Hervé Hélias emphasizes: "This is an important and exciting time for our clients, but also for our employees. Mazars and Forvis have been working together for more than 20 years and have a shared commitment to delivering outstanding quality to all clients. We have positioned ourselves to provide excellent services under a single global brand. Our clients receive consistent, high quality and comprehensive service worldwide. At the same time, we remain flexible and can continue to respond to specific needs. I am delighted to take on the first chairmanship of the Global Network Board. I am confident that we will achieve even higher standards of service while taking advantage of the challenges and opportunities that arise in our industry to best meet future needs in local markets."

"Forvis Mazars is built on our commitment to listening to our clients and anticipating the challenges they face. We also offer an 'Unmatched Client Experience' in everything we do," says Tom Watson. "The new network will open up new opportunities for our clients and employees very quickly. Both groups can rest assured that we have their long-term success in mind in all our decisions."

"In Switzerland, Forvis Mazars is represented by 24 partners and over 400 employees at 10 locations and is one of the fastest growing auditing and advisory firms in the country. The new network gives us comprehensive and consistent global coverage and strengthens our ability to serve companies of all sizes even better. This opens up new growth opportunities for clients, employees and our company," says José Caneda, CEO of Forvis Mazars in Switzerland.

Source: www.forvismazars.com