The financial and operational impact of a cyberattack can bring an organization to the brink of its existence. On average, the cost of a data theft amounted to 4.3 million euros in 2023. This is a threatening sum for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are often the focus of attacks. After all, according to statistics from Sophos X-Ops, 43% of all cyberattacks last year targeted this level of organization. Reputation and trust, two crucial success factors in highly competitive markets, also suffer. Clear, rapid communication is the key to maintaining control of the situation and mitigating the consequences.

Crisis management in the event of a cyberattack means thinking through the possible scenarios before an incident occurs and drawing up clear guidelines for the actual attack. Sophos has compiled the most important points and described them in detail in its guide to creating an incident response plan.

Prevention

Aspects that need to be considered before a cyber incident:

• Does the company have an emergency plan and does it include crisis communication in the event of data theft? Experts in IT, law and communication can help with this.
• Appointing a spokesperson ensures consistent messages to business partners and the public.
• The emergency plan should be ready to hand and accessible from anywhere, even if the systems are compromised.

Reaction

Aspects that need to be actively launched after a cyber incident: Responses after a cyberattack vary according to escalation and messages. The emergency plan must therefore be individually adapted to the company. However, the following steps are almost always essential and the organization must prioritize them:

• Informing law enforcement: usually by the selected spokesperson of the company.
• Consulting with experts: In Germany, the federal and respective state authorities regulate data protection. The contact persons should also be noted in the emergency plan.
• Make declarations: Timeliness is crucial to manage public perception and control the narrative. Ideally, there is already a template in place that can be completed in a timely manner with a clear statement on the following questions: how did the theft occur, what data is affected and what measures are being taken to remedy the situation, including for the future.
• Communication with stakeholders: Whether vendors, customers or investors, companies should quickly inform their most important partners about the cyberattack and, if necessary, the data theft. Ideally, this communication should already be included in the emergency plan. The communication channel should also be considered - if email communication is not possible, other secure channels must be used and these must be implemented and tested in advance.
• Communication with affected persons: Transparent, empathetic, timely - this is how organizations should ideally deal with people whose data has been stolen. A template is also useful here.

Fast and effective crisis response

"Setting up a cyber incident communication plan is crucial for any organization to prepare for a cyberattack," said Michael Veit, cybersecurity expert at Sophos. "This gives companies a clear navigation guide and control even in rough seas. In addition, simulations of crisis scenarios help to identify potential pitfalls and continuously adapt the plan to new threats."

Source: www.sophos.com

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/effektive-kommunikation-navigiert-unternehmen-durch-eine-cyberattacke/

An inaugural lecture enables new members of an institute to present their academic work to the academic community and all interested parties. "As an accredited university institute, FernUni Switzerland offers flexible and location-independent Bachelor's and Master's degree programs. Our general academic degree programs focus on the unity of research and teaching. The inaugural lectures provide an opportunity to focus on the academic work and scientific research of our professors, which inspires their teaching in everyday life. At each inaugural lecture, participation is possible both on site and online in order to reach as many participants as possible, as the academic community is international," explains Professor Nicolas Rothen, Rector ad interim of FernUni Switzerland. An inaugural lecture is planned for all newly appointed professors from the fall semester 2024.

Mathematics opens series of inaugural lectures

David Loeffler, Full Professor of Mathematics at FernUni Switzerland since November 2023, opened the series of inaugural lectures initiated by the university institute. In front of an audience of around 110 participants on the campus in Brig and online, the professor presented the legacy of Fermat's theorem and highlighted the significance of this theorem for modern mathematics.

"I decided to focus on Fermat's theorem because it is a question that is quite simple to formulate but incredibly difficult to answer. The efforts of generations of mathematicians to solve this one problem have contributed significantly to the development of modern mathematics. Although the theorem has now been proven, the ideas developed in the process remain central to current research and play an important role in the latest discoveries of my research group," explains David Loeffler.

Born in England, he has extensive experience in research and teaching. He specializes in number theory, representation theory and algebraic geometry and has received numerous grants for his projects, including an ERC Consolidator Grant. "Professor David Loeffler's inaugural lecture impressively demonstrated how closely our teaching and research are linked and how we bring them closer to an international audience. We look forward to the exciting topics that will be presented in the upcoming inaugural lectures," says Rothen.

Information on the next inaugural lecture:

• Thursday, March 27, 2025, 5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
• Location: Campus Brig or online
• Speaker: Sabine Pitteloud, Assistant Professor of Contemporary History at FernUni Switzerland since December 2023
• Topic: Globalization in focus: For a history of multinational companies as political actors

Source: www.fernuni.ch

In addition to the lack of training by employers, the study points to uncertainty and discomfort in connection with the use of AI. 50 % of Swiss employees state that they are uncomfortable admitting the use of AI to their superiors. They fear being seen as incompetent, lazy or fraudulent.

Why is this important?

According to McKinsey, AI could increase corporate profits by 4.4 trillion dollars per year. Research from Salesforce has also found that sales teams that use AI are 30% more likely to achieve higher sales than those that do not. However, employers need to encourage their employees to use AI and take advantage of its benefits. Only with the necessary training and guidance can they work successfully in this new era.

Salesforce perspective: "Today, too much is placed on employees to understand AI. It's important that leaders not only train their workforce on how to use AI, but also encourage them to talk about it and experiment freely with AI," says Christina Janzer, SVP of Research and Analytics at Slack. "Introducing AI agents - with clearly defined roles and guidelines - will also help with this and reduce the ambiguity and anxiety that many employees feel about using AI in the workplace."

The results from Switzerland and worldwide

Many employees hide their use of AI in the workplace out of insecurity and fear, particularly in Switzerland, where 50 % of office workers say they are uncomfortable disclosing their AI use to superiors. The reasons for this are mostly the fear of being seen as less competent or lazy, as well as the feeling that AI use is unethical. However, global studies show that the likelihood of AI use increases by 67 % when open conversations with superiors are possible.

There is also a clear discrepancy between the expectations of employees and the priorities of managers when it comes to using AI. While managers want to use the time gained through AI for further training and innovation, employees place more value on catching up on unfinished tasks and intensifying existing projects. In Switzerland, however, employees also prioritize administrative tasks.

Despite uncertainties, many employees would like better support in learning AI applications. In Switzerland, 82 % aspire to become AI experts, but have often invested little time in training. Globally, 30 % of workers report not having received any AI training. Employers that create clear guidelines and offer AI training are considered more attractive: 81 % of Swiss employees consider an employer's ability to provide and promote the use of AI tools to be crucial when looking for a job. Career starters in particular attach great importance to this factor.

Source: www.slack.com

Kickstart Innovation has been recognized by CB Insights as one of the 25 best innovation platforms worldwide. The organization actively tackles pressing challenges. Kickstart recently held its 9th Closing Ceremony. The event marked the end of an 11-week program. Kickstart worked with leading companies, organizations, cities, foundations and universities. Together, over 30 innovative projects were presented in Switzerland.

Over 340 deals concluded for new projects

Since its inception in 2016, the program has supported over 490 start-ups and facilitated over 340 deals in the form of pilot projects and commercial projects. Kickstart start-ups have raised more than CHF 2.8 billion in investment for innovation since the program began, including over CHF 245 million this year alone.

"The spectrum of deals is broadening and increasingly encompasses different sectors. From core business to ground-breaking innovations driven by AI and sustainability. The finance and insurance sector, for example, needs technology-driven solutions to continue to meet the high individual requirements of its customer base," explains Katka Letzing. She is CEO and co-founder of Kickstart Innovation.

The core idea of the Kickstart program is to promote the innovation potential of start-ups. At the same time, the aim is to collaborate with established companies. The aim is to respond to increasingly complex market conditions. The solutions this year are diverse. They range from carbon-neutral materials to advanced AI applications. These innovations are driving efficiency and change in various industries. The program shows how important it is to break down silos. Combining expertise produces the best results. Innovation and partnership play a central role in this. In total, more than 30 deals were concluded. These are spread across the areas of Finance & Insurance, Food & Retail, New Work & Learning, Health & Wellbeing, Smart Cities, Climate Positive Mission and Intrapreneurship.

Consumers are becoming increasingly demanding

More than 30 promising deals were agreed with the renowned companies AXA, Coop, Swisscom, Mobiliar, PostFinance, Sanitas, the City of Zurich, the Canton of Vaud and MSD Switzerland, as well as with IKEA Switzerland and Romande Energie.

"Consumers are becoming increasingly demanding when it comes to digital services and technological advances. This year, we have seen numerous compelling use cases where AI is being used in conjunction with effective sustainability solutions. Sustainability is in our DNA and focusing on new customer trends is essential for us. This year, we are working with many start-ups. We are proud to announce new commercial projects with alumni such as Kern Tec. The starting signal has been given and marks a further step towards innovation and progress," explains Adrian Giger. He is Project Manager in Corporate Development at Coop.

Selected synopses of the public partnerships 2024:

Source: www.kickstart-innovation.com

SV Switzerland is reinforcing its pioneering role in sustainability through a groundbreaking partnership with Beelong. This company has created a rating and labeling system that allows guests to immediately recognize the sustainability of a menu. The collaboration between SV and Beelong opens new doors for sustainable food in community catering. All products used in the menus are rated according to ten sustainability criteria and classified on a simple traffic light scale from A+ to E-. This results in an overall score for each menu.

Dörte Bachmann, Head of Sustainability at SV Group, explains: "With the Eco-Score, we are taking a big step forward. The traffic light scale shows our guests very transparently how we are committed to environmentally friendly nutrition. What is particularly important to us is that we don't want to patronize anyone. Our guests are free to choose. But thanks to the Eco-Score, they can make a well-informed decision. In this way, we combine sustainability with freedom of choice - and that is exactly our goal."

"Thanks to over 300 SV restaurants, we can help influence the eating habits of thousands of people to reduce the environmental impact of meals. The complex environmental data of the food service sector can be presented in a simple and understandable way. We are delighted to be working with SV Switzerland to bring more transparency to the food sector," adds Mathias Faigaux, Co-Managing Director of Beelong.

Customers want to inform their employees transparently

SV Group customers now have the option of displaying the Eco-Score results on their main meals in their restaurants, which represents a further step towards conscious and environmentally friendly nutrition. The Eco-Score method was tested in seven staff restaurants, such as the Holzweid Training Center (WBZ), which belongs to the University of St. Gallen and was awarded the ibex fairstay label just last week thanks to its efforts in the area of sustainability: "Sustainability is very important to us. We are all the more pleased that, together with SV and Eco-Score, we can give our guests the opportunity to consciously choose a sustainable menu. Because this also helps us to achieve our sustainability goals," says Kathrin Weber, Director of the WBZ.

Comprehensive sustainability strategy with measurable climate targets

As part of its comprehensive sustainability strategy, SV has committed to the SBTi and has set itself science-based climate targets. These are currently being evaluated by SBTi and will be published soon. The company has already announced the most important target: Net zero by 2045. "Beelong's holistic assessment method Eco-Score is part of our strategy to work based on data. We rely on solid, scientific findings and measurable results. We distance ourselves from gimmickry," says Dörte Bachmann, Head of Sustainability SV Group.

The Eco-Score method takes ten criteria into account: Co₂-footprint, water footprint, land use, seasonality, animal welfare & labels, biodiversity & labels, transport & distance, packaging, endangered species & fishing method and company policy. The method thus represents a comprehensive sustainability assessment of menus. In addition, the information will be updated at the beginning of 2025 with the identification of the actual Co₂eq emissions per menu and later an assessment of the balance of the menus.

Source: www.sv-group.com

Access to an airfield, large areas for the necessary infrastructure, strong research partners such as the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, the newly founded Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein based at Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich and the generally innovative business location of the Canton of Zurich convinced Starlab that Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich was the right partner.

Starlab Space plans to start business activities in the Zurich Innovation Park

The end of the International Space Station (ISS) is currently planned for 2030. Starlab is to succeed it as a private, industry-driven space station. The aim is to ensure a seamless continuation of previous research and scientific activities. At the same time, Starlab will open up low-Earth orbit for private companies. In the long term, it should also be possible to implement products and applications that can be manufactured to a higher quality in the unique conditions of weightlessness. These include, for example, semiconductors, glass fibers and biomedical products such as medicines, human tissue from stem cells for transplants or tumor organoids for precision medicine.

With the Memorandum of Understanding signed today, Starlab Space plans to commence business activities in the Innovation Park Zurich. Starlab could establish and operate a Payload Operations & Control Center, a Center of Excellence for Payload Development and Operations and other Starlab ground segments focusing on biotechnology, biomedicine and pharmaceuticals at the IPZ. This should form the basis for an ecosystem in which space experts, researchers and scientists, established industry and innovative start-ups and spin-offs work closely together in direct exchange. This would make the greater Zurich region a European location for the global Starlab network with industry and research partners. Another location is the George Washington Carver Science Park in Ohio, USA, and other locations, for example in Japan and Germany, are also currently being prepared.

Space Valley Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Successful industrial development of the lower earth orbit requires sufficient production and transportation capacities. These must be available at economically reasonable prices. In addition, an efficient transfer of knowledge from research institutions to practical applications is crucial. The Canton of Zurich has recognized the importance of this development. By decree of the cantonal government (No. 372/2024), "Space" was declared one of the canton's three innovation lighthouse projects.

With the rapid international developments, the "Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein", based in the Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich and headed by Prof. Oliver Ullrich, was formed in 2024; a new, internationally oriented, regional center supported by a broad coalition of academic and industrial partners from German-speaking Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The center's strategic goals include promoting the use of aerospace in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, harnessing research successes for society and the economy and positioning the region in the global space economy.

Cooperation between industry and science

Source: www.innovationparkzurich.com/de

The study is based on an analysis of more than 28,000 Swiss SMEs and provides detailed information on key characteristics of boards of directors, including board size, gender and nationality distribution, CEO duality and board members' terms of office. The author of the study is Angelo Antonio Di Feo from the University of Zurich.

Key findings of the study

1. Small boards of directors dominate: Almost 90% of the SMEs surveyed have boards of directors with a maximum of four members. Small companies in particular rely on boards with only one or two members. This indicates a high concentration of management responsibility, which often lies with the owners themselves.
2. Lack of women on boards of directors: On average, women make up only 20% of board members. The proportion of women varies greatly depending on the industry: in technology-oriented sectors such as the IT services industry, the proportion of women is only 9.3%, while social service companies have the highest figures with a proportion of 29.2%. These figures illustrate the existing diversity gaps in terms of more female representation in management bodies.
3. Low international diversity: Only around 10% of Board members are not Swiss citizens. The proportion of foreign board members remains low overall, with an increase in border regions such as Ticino, where the proximity to Italy leads to a higher proportion of international board members.
4. Long-term stability of the Board of Directors: The average term of office of board members is 8.3 years, which indicates that certain board members are shareholders, but also a high degree of stability and many years of experience within the boards. It is interesting to note that older companies tend to employ older board members, which indicates that certain board members are part-owners but also that there is greater continuity and tradition in corporate management.

Diversity as a challenge for SMEs

"Our analysis shows that the boards of directors of Swiss SMEs are significantly more homogeneous and smaller than those of listed companies. This raises the question of whether targeted measures to promote diversity, particularly in terms of gender, age and nationality diversity, could not only strengthen governance but also promote the long-term success of SMEs," explains Angelo Antonio Di Feo, author of the study. The results of the study could serve as a valuable basis for a broader discussion on governance standards and diversity in the SME landscape. Policy makers, business associations and companies could use the insights gained to develop targeted diversity initiatives that contribute to a stronger and more sustainable governance culture in SMEs.

Regional and sectoral differences

The study shows striking differences in the composition of the boards of directors, depending on the geographical location and sector of the companies.

• Regional differences: In Ticino, boards of directors are the most international, with a proportion of 21.4% foreign members. In the Espace Mittelland region, this proportion is only 8.4%.
• Sectoral differences: The proportion of female board members varies greatly between the different sectors. In public administration and social services, the proportion of women is 29.2%, while in the IT services sector it is only 9.3%. The CEO duality also shows strong sectoral differences: In construction, one person takes on the role of both CEO and board chair in 66.5% of cases. Industry, with the lowest value (raw materials and energy), has only 27.5% CEO duality.

Comparison with listed companies

The boards of directors of SMEs differ significantly from those of large listed companies. They are generally smaller and more homogeneous, with diversity characteristics such as gender and nationality being significantly less pronounced. In comparison, companies in the Swiss Market Index (SMI) have around 35% of women on their boards of directors, which is significantly higher than the figure for SMEs.

"Our study shows how regional and sector-specific characteristics shape governance structures in SMEs. The findings provide valuable impetus for the development of targeted measures that could help SMEs to further increase diversity in their management bodies," Di Feo continues.

Source: www.uzh.ch

Sara López García has extensive experience in HR management and has held management positions for several years. As an HR expert, coach and lawyer, she combines strategic and operational knowledge, which she was able to apply successfully both during her time as a member of the Executive Board and as an entrepreneur. Her focus is on value-oriented leadership, sustainable collaboration and the development of innovative solutions for the HR sector.

With her new role at the ZGP, Sara wants to further develop the platform, strengthen the exchange within the HR community and specifically address the needs of the various member groups - from young talents to experienced professionals.

The ZGP is delighted to have Sara López García at the helm, providing fresh impetus and an experienced leader.

Source: www.zgp.ch

The evening was kicked off by Ramon Häfliger, Communications Manager at Opacc, who warmly welcomed the guests. "It's a wonderful sight to see how full it is - and that's how it has to be. Today I have the pleasure of accompanying you through the individual phases of the digital evolution," he said. True to the motto 'Step by step to digital champion', the guests were treated to a varied program full of insights into Opacc applications and their possible uses. 

Marc Haller, alias "Erwin from Switzerland", provided a humorous interlude between the content blocks. With his magical interludes, which cleverly referred to the topics of digitalization, he made the audience marvel and laugh.

Beat Bussmann's last Connect as CEO

After the welcome address by Ramon Häfliger, Beat Bussmann took to the stage. He founded Opacc 36 years ago and has since shaped the company with vision and passion. He addressed the guests with a personal retrospective and clear visions for the future. "We always see many familiar faces at Connect who have been with us for many years. And we also see new faces who place their trust in us," he said. Bussmann spoke about the challenges of digital evolution and the rapid change in the IT industry: "It's brutal how quickly everything is developing. Every day there are new companies, new services, new software products, new competitors. And you never know: have I missed something or overlooked an opportunity?"

Opacc is responding to this change with a clear strategy: evolution instead of revolution. The basis for this is the Oxas platform, which provides homogeneous and centralized data for all processes. As it was probably his last Connect as CEO, Bussmann gave the guests a personal wish: "Take at least three ideas with you that could work in your company."

Focus on innovation: Insights into the Opacc platform

Over the course of the evening, Opacc employees presented the latest developments and applications of the platform. Supported by videos and customer reports, the audience was guided through a variety of innovations. The customer examples impressively demonstrated how Opacc customers are already successfully shaping their digital evolution on the basis of Opacc applications. The highlights included Nytron, which combines a modern user experience with a proven application concept, marketing automation for customized email campaigns and Cloud Integration Services, which allow external services to be seamlessly integrated into the platform. The latter enables companies to benefit from the innovation dynamics of the cloud without having to worry about technical details.

Approval management was also presented. It automates the approval of business objects, improves process quality and saves time - regardless of location and completely digitally. This module shows how repetitive tasks can be made more efficient so that companies can focus on strategically important issues. These are just a few examples of the many possibilities that were presented on this evening. The variety of innovations impressively demonstrated how Opacc supports companies of all sizes in their digital evolution.

Change of baton at Opacc: Beat Bussmann hands over the helm

A key moment of the evening was the announced change of management at Opacc. Bussmann took the opportunity to look back on the development of Opacc. "We started in 1998. We weren't thinking about the big issues back then. We had completely different concerns. We were trying to find out: Where is our place? What works? What's not working?" he said. Bussmann emphasized how important the team is for success: "You can't do everything on your own. Opacc now has 25 partners who take on additional responsibility and support the company."

Looking to the future, Bussmann presented the new management model, which focuses on continuity and independence. A rotating system of Executive Partners, in which the Managing Partner changes every three to seven years, plays a central role. Bussmann's successor Cris Wouters was introduced as the first Managing Partner. Wouters, who has been with the company since 1998, brings with him many years of experience from various management positions. Beat Bussmann will remain with the company as principal owner and in his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors. 

A look back and ahead

After his speech, Beat Bussmann handed over to Cris Wouters. Together they reflected on the past, present and future of Opacc. "They say that the first 100 days are important. What signs do you want to set from January 1 to April 10?", Bussmann asked his successor. Wouters replied that he would initially continue to look after existing customers and at the same time drive forward the new quality and corporate goal of Fit for AI: "That will be a central focus of my new role."

Wouters asked what the secret of Opacc's long-term success was. Bussmann explained that Opacc is characterized by the bundling of knowledge under one roof. This not only enables innovation, but also creates a major competitive advantage. Added to this is the team's passion: "We love what we do and are really interested in our customers' problems. That makes the difference."

In emotional video messages, customers, business personalities and representatives from the worlds of sport and politics conveyed their best wishes to the outgoing CEO.

After the break: innovation and insights

The second part of the event was dedicated to future topics. Feedback from customer surveys and an insight into Opacc's personnel development showed how Opacc responds to the needs of its customers and is constantly evolving. Various innovations were then presented, including how customers have opened up new fields of activity, success stories of the Commerce Suite and progress in the area of AI and the Data Science platform.

Sport meets business: Roman Röösli as special guest

Another highlight was the appearance of Roman Röösli, bronze Olympic medal winner from Paris 2024. The exceptional athlete provided exciting insights into his career as a rower and talked about his new professional direction as a budding farmer.

A joint finale

At the end of the day, Opacc presented an outlook on the innovations planned for the coming year. He then succinctly summarized the highlights and thanked all participants for their trust in Opacc. 

More about Opacc

"We are extremely pleased to have received the coveted Great Place To Work award for the first time. For a smaller company like us, it is particularly important in times of competition for skilled workers to be able to keep up with larger companies in terms of employee satisfaction and also offer a great working environment," says Philipp Klomp, CEO and founder of Nomasis. "We owe our success and this fantastic recognition to our dedicated employees."

About the Great Place to Work certification

The Great Place To Work Certification™ is the clearest employer of choice award that companies strive for. It is the only recognition based solely on what employees say about their experience at work. In particular, how consistently they experience a workplace where they are highly trusted. The Great Place to Work certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experiences. Every year, more than 10,000 companies in 60 countries apply for Great Place To Work certification.

Source: www.nomasis.ch

Together with software modules such as process management, checklists or requirements management, the new module for risk management provides further support for the development and expansion of integrated management systems (IMS). Based on a holistic approach that is oriented towards the ISO 31000 risk management process, it includes numerous functions for assessing risks and opportunities, planning and tracking corresponding measures, as well as regular reviews and reassessments.

Reduce risks and increase opportunities

Within the risk management module, users can evaluate the identified risks or opportunities based on the estimated probability of occurrence and expected negative or positive effects. An evaluation matrix, which is used to determine a risk or opportunity index, allows classification and comparability in the respective context - for example in connection with a business process. This makes it possible to recognize whether the measures introduced reduce risks or increase opportunities. The consideration of risks and opportunities is required by law, particularly in the context of business processes. This is why risk analyses can be linked to processes in the process management module.

The diverse and often dynamic relationships and dependencies between the system elements play a significant role in the complexity of an integrated management system. While the process map provides an overview of a company's process organization, the IMS Viewer offers a completely new approach to graphically visualizing the existing real relationships, interfaces and interactions between the process-relevant elements of an IMS, making them transparent and thus making the complexity of the management system manageable.

Three-dimensional CAD models for quality assurance

In addition to IMS support, Babtec continues to focus on software solutions for quality assurance. One component of this is the enhanced CAD integration, which offers comprehensive support for three-dimensional CAD models for the first time. Users can load 3D models directly from the CAD solution they are using into the Babtec software and align, zoom and rotate them on the screen as required. If the 3D file already contains product manufacturing information (PMI), this is recognized and processed directly "behind the scenes". The data obtained in this way can be used in other modules of the Babtec software, for example to prepare an FMEA or initial sampling.

Modern software technology and artificial intelligence

In addition to the new functions mentioned above, Babtec has further developed the technology and infrastructure of its software. This is reflected above all in the significantly improved speed and responsiveness of the software - regardless of whether it is used at the headquarters of the respective company, at a location in Germany or abroad or in the home office. Against the backdrop of increasing cyber threats, the new technological basis of the Babtec software also ensures improved protection of sensitive data.

The Wuppertal-based software manufacturer has also been working intensively on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Together with users, the "Babtec DiscoverAI" project will be launched at the beginning of 2025, in which customers will be provided with the first AI functions of the software. In dialogue with customers, Babtec wants to test and further develop the applications that have already been implemented in everyday practice. The focus is on the AI assistant Quorix, which provides support with software operation, among other things. Quorix assists with the creation of a complaint from a continuous text by extracting the required data and pre-filling the corresponding fields. The new AI support also comes into play when processing complaints. This allows specific suggestions for measures to be generated during processing using the tried-and-tested 8D method, which can be transferred directly to the software at the touch of a button.

In addition to testing these functions, the pilot project also aims to identify further ideas for the potential use of artificial intelligence with the help of feedback from participating customers. Participation therefore offers customers exclusive insights into the new AI applications of Babtec software, an exchange of experiences with other participants and also the opportunity to make an active contribution to the further development of the software through their feedback on its use in practice. Interested parties can apply via the company's website until the end of January.

Contribution to future-proofing and investment security

The further development of the software ensures the greatest possible future security and investment security for customers. By providing comprehensive support for integrated management systems, Babtec also aims to help its customers achieve their business goals even more effectively in the future. 

"The release of Babtec 8 in the year of our 30th anniversary is a significant step - not only for us, but above all for our more than 1,250 customers," emphasizes Babtec Managing Director Michael Flunkert. "With its numerous innovations, large and small improvements, our latest software generation supports companies in mastering not only the challenges of the present, but also those of the future in line with their own corporate strategy."

Source: www.babtec.de

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/babtec-software-erhaelt-umfassendes-update/

In quality management, non-conformance reports (NCR) are valuable for learning from mistakes, proactively preventing them and bringing the company closer to the goal of predictive quality. An AI-supported DMS/QMS supports the 8D method, for example, and then links the learnings along the value chain.

Lukas Hengster, QM expert and Head of Business Development at Fabasoft Approve GmbH, shows how companies can use AI in quality management to efficiently manage deviations and create structured NCRs.

Cloud-based solution for precise data collection

A cloud-based DMS/QMS acts as a solid foundation for recording and processing non-conformances (NCs). Such systems enable structured data collection, which is essential for the use of AI applications. The use of cloud technology in certified data centers in the DACH region enables cross-company processes along the entire supply chain.

Systematic processing according to proven methods

Precise defect identification and systematic documentation by NCRs is crucial for efficient defect processing. Depending on the industry, different methodologies such as CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) or the 8D process can be used. A thorough root cause analysis is of central importance in order to prevent future defects through targeted preventive measures and to come closer to the goal of "predictive quality".

High-quality audits

The standard-compliant processing of non-conformities significantly increases the quality of audits. Different ISO standards define non-conformities (NCs) differently, which must be taken into account in the documentation. For example, ISO 9001 describes these as "deviations from the requirements of the quality management system (QMS)". In contrast, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) guidelines for medical devices classify "any deviation in device performance" as a non-conformity. ISO 9101, the standard for aerospace and defense organizations, specifically defines NCRs as part of the requirements for documenting audit results.

A DMS/QMS enables specialist departments to independently design industry-specific BPMN processes and execute them as digital workflows. This system support means that employees automatically adhere to the standardized QM processes. A time travel function makes every processing step traceable and forms a valuable building block in audit management. Users thus have an overview of completed process steps at all times.

Proactive defect management for continuous improvement

Cross-plant, proactive defect management is the key to continuous improvement. The NCR data collected in the DMS/QMS serves as a valuable information base for various areas of the company and contributes to the approach to "predictive quality".

Supplier audits are a good example of this process: The cloud-based software connects customers and suppliers directly in the process. This reduces media disruptions and susceptibility to errors. A comprehensive NCR on customer complaints is highly relevant for after-sales processes. The collected NCR data can also serve as an information basis for negotiations in purchasing and contribute to supplier evaluation.

AI support for skills shortage

In quality management, it is crucial to consider extensive data and numerous documents in order to solve problems effectively. The know-how of experienced employees, which has been built up over the years, is invaluable. However, a shortage of skilled workers, staff turnover and retirements mean that this knowledge is lost, making it difficult to efficiently handle quality processes along the supply chain. AI technology in the DMS/QMS can help to counteract this loss of expertise. AI provides comprehensive insights into defects and helps with troubleshooting. For example, a material number in a technical drawing is used to retrieve order information or identify similar deviations. As part of the 8D process, AI analyzes related defects and quickly provides suggestions for corrective or immediate action.

Source: www.fabasoft.com/de

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/predictive-quality-erreichen-so-optimieren-sie-ihre-non-conformance-reports-mit-ki/