Institute for Digital Transformation

The IDW/IDT covers the most important technologies and methods of digitalization. The following list shows an overview of the different areas.

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

The area of business intelligence and machine learning includes finding non-trivial patterns and facts in large data sets or big data with the help of special algorithms. Data management techniques such as data warehouses are also considered.

INTERNET OF THINGS

In the Internet of Things area, intelligent objects are considered that are connected to the Internet on the one hand and to each other (M2M) on the other hand in order to achieve autonomous communication. Equipped with various sensors and their own connection to the Internet, these objects can autonomously fulfill certain application scenarios without human intervention.

CLOUD COMPUTING

Cloud computing is a model that provides users over a network, such as the Internet, with access to a shared pool of electronic processing resources such as computing power, storage space or applications. Cloud computing resources can be provided quickly and with minimal administrative effort. Well-known models of cloud computing are Software as a Service, Platform as a Service and Infrastructure as a Service.

AUTOMATION

The automation area includes techniques and process models for the automation of repeatable workflows. This ranges from factory automation to virtual booking assistants to assistants in the field of care and treatment. In order to achieve such automation, this area is focusing intensively on sensor technology and sensor networks with exploitation of real-time data, motion detection, human-robot interaction, and machine vision.

Digitally transformed business processes

Ongoing digitalization is not only creating new opportunities on the technical side, but is also harboring previously untapped potential on the side of controlling business processes. In areas such as purchasing, logistics, and after-sales services, the IDW/IDT is researching possible applications of digitalization.

Business cases & business models

In addition to new technologies and processes, digitalization also enables entirely new business models and at the same time requires a critical examination of existing models.

The interdisciplinary areas of digital design, systems engineering, IT security, and ethics of digitalization serve as a substructure for all of the mentioned application areas and support them.

Digital Design

The interdisciplinary topic of digital design at the IDW includes the topics of interface design, user-centered design, and usability.

Systems Engineering

The interdisciplinary area of systems engineering includes agile development methods, component-based development, and is also dealing with the development of new process models for digital solutions.

IT Security & Data Protection

IT security is a key area of digitalization. It covers technical topics such as cyber-physical security, embedded systems security, computer/hardware/software/network security and data security. In addition, it covers ethical and legal issues related to data protection.

Ethics of digitalization

One of the IDW/IDT's key topics is the ethical debate on the impact of digitalization on society and the economy. Digitalization is changing economic systems and workplaces and requires a critical examination of possible consequences for the way people live together and their role in the world of work. In addition, legislative changes or even new laws will be necessary in many areas.
Ethical aspects are dealt with in all IDW research groups and are closely coordinated with the ethics officer of the university senate (Prof. Dr. Olaf Kern). The establishment of a university-wide ethics committee is planned.