CONFIRM DIH is focused on the application of digital innovation across the manufacturing value chain to foster growth and competitiveness in the Irish manufacturing industry and enable Irish based manufacturing SME and larger companies to compete within the rapidly changing global landscape.

 

Smart manufacturing involves optimising production systems, developing Smart products, Smart machines, Smart production systems, and Smart supply chains by adding intelligence, and enhanced information technology and IoT.  These new technologies will be at the heart of: Industry 4.0, the factories of the future, increasing product line adaptability, enabling real-time decision making, shortening supply-chains, and speeding up the development of new innovations to produce higher-quality goods at reduced costs across all industry sectors.

 

The CONFIRM DIH incorporates a Centre of Excellence with shared research facilities, access to state-of-the-art equipment and a broad ecosystem of stakeholders. CONFIRM DIH offers technology and support services to companies of varying sizes from SME and Mid-Caps to large MNEs. It provides access to knowledge, expertise and training in the smart manufacturing domain. CONFIRM’s solutions, moreover, provide for different customized approaches addressing companies on different innovation stages, from awareness raising and maturity level identification for newcomers to digitization, to tailored solutions and services for starter companies, to full systems solutions for advanced companies

 

Confirm is a not-for-profit, national strategic initiative supported by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), the Irish national foundation for investment in scientific and engineering research. The Confirm DIH draws on the expertise of 9 core Irish research performing organisations (RPOs), 16 international collaborations, and numerous industry partners across MNC and SME sectors to deliver cutting-edge research and development projects in the smart manufacturing domain. It provides the skills and services required to place Irish-based industry at the forefront of the smart manufacturing revolution, helping companies of all sizes - ranging from SME to larger organisations - compete globally at the highest level.  

 

The Confirm DIH is an open platform to accommodate the diverse digital innovation needs of the manufacturing industry in Ireland and will be a driving force in the delivery of technological advances and expertise for a smart manufacturing innovation ecosystem. Confirm’s core research activity is in the areas of:

Data Analytics
Artificial Intelligence
Predictive Modelling
Decision Analytics
Enterprise Modelling & Simulation
Software Systems
Human Computer Interaction
Security & Integration
Networking Systems & IoT
Sensors
Robotics & Control
Product & Process Modelling
Material Processing

 

To maximise the impact of our research initiatives, the Confirm DIH coordinates R&D and innovation activities, provides communication & outreach to the manufacturing industry, promotes a positive perception of manufacturing in wider society, contributes to the development of a skilled human resource pipeline for the manufacturing industry, provides a liaison between companies and a network of experts, and promotes new collaborative multi party national and international research projects to implement digital technologies for Irish based manufacturing companies.  Digital technologies.

Confapi Digital Innovation Hub Confapi is part of the Italian national Industry 4.0 network.  It is a no profit organization which aims at supporting SMEs in implementing Industry 4.0 in order to  increase their competitiveness both nationally and internationally. Confapi Digital Innovation Hub Confapi has the task of spreading the culture, knowledge and enabling technologies, through a series of innovative activities and services aimed at the digital transformation of businesses, technology transfer, innovation and research. It is an important project for the entire system and affects all associations in the national territory. Confapi Digital Innovation Hub Confapi boasts partnerships with prestigious public and private entities operating in research and technology transfer (universities, innovation clusters, research centers, technology consortia), which have collaborative relationships with Confapi at national level and local level through territorial associations.

The main important activities of Confapi DIH are to:

 spread the culture and knowledge on Industry  4.0 technologies
enhance the network and the sharing of experiences between entrepreneurs in the areas of digital transformation
encourage collaboration between Small and Medium-sized Industries and local Research and Innovation networks
support access to facilities and laboratories where companies can test technologies which have been introduced within the company
Orient SMEs towards managerial training and qualified company staff
Promote training courses on sector-specific advanced skills
design and implement, in the domain of new technologies, services and higher, initial and continuous, open and remote training programs
carry out training activities for entrepreneurs and managers on soft skills, with an interdisciplinary approach to digital transformation
support entrepreneurs to evaluate digital marketing tools
offer advice to companies to access facilitation measures to dedicate an intervention in the Enterprise 4.0 key.
promote cooperation between the world of research (Competence Center, Universities, Research Centers, Innovative Companies, ...) and the world of SMEs
support companies in the planning of Innovative Investments
develop and maintain contacts and coordinate DIH Confapi's activities with other companies, research centers, consortia, associations, business networks, national and international bodies
analyze and identify new business opportunities in the new technologies sector
act as the reference center for the collection and dissemination of information and technical proposals in the interest of SMEs, of advanced technology products and services in the domain of new technologies
organize seminars, conferences and other events at national and international level in the domain of technology, of a popular and / or educational nature, also with the aim of promoting the image of the company at national and international level

 

  Digital technologies.

The Competence Center Mittelstand 4.0 Berlin is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs. It aims at providing support to German SMEs to digitalise their businesses. For this purpose events, trainings, workshops and projects re funded by the ministry. The Competence Centre started in 2016 and since then has reached out to about 30.000 SMEs throughout Germany. It is run by the Federal Associationof SMEs, the Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft, and supported by scientific experts, such as for example the Hasso Plattner Institute, the University of Potsdam and the University of Brandenburg. 

As the hub is funded, all costs are already covered. The approved budget for the work of our competence centre is  around 4.500.000 Euro for the period of Mai 2016 until Apirl 2019. No further investments are taken during the funding period. Because of this situation all information provided by the hub are not linked to any product and therefore totally neutral. The aim of totally neutral information to SMEs can therefore be granted.

The formalised end-time is 30th of April 2021 because funding ends at this time. As of Mai 2021 the hub could be continued provided that a the consortium is able to establish a business model. 

Following partners support the Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft with their expertise: 

Hasso-Plattner-Institute (HPI) : The HPI oversees all trainings and workshops offered by the Competence Centre Berlin. It applies the design thinking method in all formats and helps SMEs to identify their potential of a digital business model. The workshops and trainings are taking place in Berlin and will be rolled out in the coming two years also in other regions in cooperation with other Competence Centres.

The University of Potsdam (UP) is responsible for the evaluation and the development of a digital maturity model for SMEs. This tool will help SMEs to find out which stage of digital maturity it has already reached. According to the result the SME can reach out to the Competence Centres and get help where needed.

The Technische Hochschule Brandenburg (THB) oversees the implementation of digital projects. The Competence Centre Berlin works on 60 digital projects. Five projects are fully implemented and present as a result a prototype solution. Other projects are short and present as a result a strategy that can be implemented. All solutions are based on a prototypic situation and are therefore applicable to a wide range of SMEs with comparable challenges.

The Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG) is an important link to the start-up community in Berlin. The HIIG is networking actively to Start-ups and identify new trends that could be relevant for SMEs. It provide information to the consortium on innovative working methods and contributes to the matching between SMEs and Start-ups. The HIIG also implements digital projects.

The Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft (BVMW) coordinates the consortium, establishes the network to SMEs in Germany, actively informs about all activities of the Centre and is networking with key players in the field of digitalisation and SMEs. Digital technologies.

Sviluppo Como - ComoNExT is a Scientific and Technological Park & Innovation Hub, which hosts 131 innovative SMEs (april 2019), among them 30% are start-ups. Sviluppo Como - ComoNExT shareholders is a public-private mix, since The Como Chamber of Commerce detains the 43% of shares. Due to this configuration, Sviluppo Como - ComoNExT acts as a no-profit body.

ComoNExT fosters the development of new enterprises through its certified business incubator. The certification is granted by the Italian Ministry for Economic Development.

For more information: https://www.comonext.it/en/the-park/

ComoNExT is a space for both mature companies, with well-established products, services and markets, as well as innovative startups, selected through targeted calls launched by the Chamber of Commerce or through the call named “Bando per l’innovazione”. The purpose to innovate is the common denominator of all our businesses. Physical proximity among companies and the patterns of knowledge exchange implemented by the Park, promote the development and integration of business skills and so an equivocal wealth for the growth of each of them.

The Park supports the creation and the growth of innovative companies offering specialized management consulting tutorship, technology transfer services and favorable technical and logistical solutions.

Since 2010, thanks to Como Chamber of Commerce, we proposed 8 calls for start-up ideas: we received 398 structured proposals aiming at entering in our incubation program. A qualified commission evaluated all of them, 120 were admitted to a private session with the commission itself, 38 have been admitted to the program. Beyond the calls we meet more than 50 people a year who presents their business idea: we give them a first orienteering, both on the idea and on public calls and financing. Our incubation program develops on specific needs of each business idea.

ComoNExT main goals are basically three: to attract innovative businesses; to transfer innovation to the territory; to encourage new business development by incubating startups.

In June 2017 ComoNExT launched the NExTInnovation ® initiative, an innovation transfer model developed by the hub to promote the awareness and to support the introduction of Digital transformation and innovation processes in enterprises, with particular attention to SMEs. This TT model gathers all the competences available in the Park and thanks to the creation of “variable setting” consultancy groups it offers technology and digital transfer opportunity to companies.

For more information: https://www.comonext.it/en/next-innovation/#cn_next_innovation Digital technologies.

CNA Emilia Romagna is a non-profit, independent association for the representation of the interests of the artisan enterprises operating in the Emilia Romagna region. In coherence with the national plan for Industry 4.0 and the directives promoted by the Ministry of Economic Development, CNA Emilia Romagna supports companies in the passage towards the new production model of Industry 4.0, through its Digital Innovation Hub: CNA Hub 4.0. The know-how developed in years of collaboration with national and European partners on the themes of innovation and technology transfer has strengthened the role of CNA Emilia Romagna- CNA HUB 4.0 and its capacity to act as facilitator of digital innovation in the Emilia Romagna region, as it acts as a point of reference for European and regional projects and activities aimed at innovation.

CNA Emilia Romagna - CNA HUB 4.0 coordinates a network of 10 Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) located in the regional area, which deal with offering SMEs tools, services and consultancy within the Industry 4.0 program, starting from an analysis system of the level of technology readiness of small companies able to simplify the identification of TRL.

The main services offered to companies regard:

Innovation and research: organizational innovation, digitalization, management consultancy, matching between the business world and high level skills, technology transfer, patents and certifications.
Training and competences: development of training courses together with companies, training courses managed by experts, financings to training, integration of highly qualified profiles.
Financial and credit advice: identification of funds, search and assistance on tax reliefs, credit plan.
Internationalization: scouting for financing opportunities, commercial action planning, access to new markets.
Digital technologies.

The Innovation Centre for Contactless Technologies (CITC EuraRFID) is an IoT Cluster. It is a non-profit organization located in Lille (Northern France). It was created in January 2009 and is supported by the Hauts-de-France Regional Council, the French Government, the Metropole Européenne de Lille (MEL), and the European Union.

The CITC-EuraRFID brings together the contactless technology skills and the existing experimentation platforms in the north of France and the Euro regions (Belgium, UK, Netherlands, Germany...) and is backed by over 250 members and partners. It is a centre for resources, experimentations and technical expertise in terms of identification, traceability, mobility and geolocation, which aims to develop an ecosystem specialized in the Internet of Things.

It supports the appropriation of standardized and innovative solutions regarding contactless technologies (RFID, NFC, Zigbee, 6LowPan, BlueTooth, LPWAN, 5G, etc.) that have been identified among the most important technologies for the 21st century, along with the development of new activities with high potential (Smart Home with a mobile demonstrator, Smart Factory with a Cobotic demonstrator, Smart Grid, Smart Cities, Smart Health, etc.)

CITC-EuraRFID is involved in supporting local (and non-local) SME's in their digital transformation through differents types of action: education and training, diagnostic, technological watch, proofs of concept, ...

CITC-EuraRFID is labeled Centre de Ressources Technologiques (CRT) by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (quality label for technological support to companies)

In order to successfully leverage these innovation technologies and support the innovation within local economy, the CITC works on social acceptance (accessibility, consumer convenience, privacy…), future Internet of Things, health and environmental impact, and harmonization issues.

Since March 2015, CITC is also involved in the Alliance for Internet of Things Innovation (AIOTI), mainly in WG2 Innovation ecosystems.

Videos (in French): https://www.youtube.com/user/CITCeurarfid/ Digital technologies.

Cineca is a non-profit Consortium, made up of 67 Universities, 9 Research Institutions and the Italian Ministry for University and Research. The HPC department of CINECA (SCAI) is the largest computing centre in Italy. CINECA offers industries a state-of-the-art HPC-cloud environment, specialized training, access to competences from the excellences constituting the Consortium, and support to access funding for R&D activities.

Competence Centres: 67 Italian public Universities and institutions like CNR (National Research Council) are part of the Consortium. These include excellences in all fields related to Industry4.0, from simulation to Data Analytics. CINECA is also part of international initiatives like the Big Data Value Association (BDVA) or MaX, the European centre of excellence for Material Design and Excellerat, the European centre of excellence for Engineering Applications, where additional competences may be found. 
Activities/Services: Technical support; Infrastructure; Testing; Access to users; Access to finance; Training and education; Innovation coaching; Network development; Ecosystem building and networking; Dissemination and awareness; Market intelligence 
Focus on innovation: TRL 1 - basic principles observed; TRL 2 - technology concept formulated; TRL 3 - experimental proof of concept; TRL 4 - technology validated in lab; TRL 5 - technology validated in relevant environment 
Keywords about technology/knowledge: modelling and simulation; cloud computing; cloud infrastructure; internet of things 
Digital technologies.

CETMA is a Research and Technology organization (RTO), a consortium with external non-profit activity based in Brindisi, founded in 1994 by ENEA to promote the development of innovation in Southern Italy. It has 65 researchers, technologists and designers, working in a 3,500 square meters headquarter, equipped with advanced instrumentation and specialized software, offices, training rooms, libraries and multimedia stations and 15 technological laboratories. With two divisions, it carries out applied and industrial research and offers technological consultancy to companies and institutions on innovative technologies and advanced materials. The multidisciplinary nature of CETMA and the integration with the skills of its members have allowed the development of applications in different sectors such as industrial products and components, transportation, mobility, production systems, human health and medical engineering, environment and recycling, cultural heritage, energy, infrastructure and civil engineering applications. In Materials Engineering, the expertises are focused on composite and polymeric materials, involving material design and optimization, simulation of material, components and processes, testing, Structural Health Monitoring, process development, prototyping. Particular competences are related to the numerical modelling of these advanced materials and their manufacturing processes, but also on the material recovery, in terms of innovative recycling and reusing processes and applications of the recovered materials. In the field of Computer Engineering, CETMA's competences concern the development of software for industrial and engineering applications, for Advanced Visual Systems applications using Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technologies, for robotic and automation applications, including medical and rehabilitation applications. In the field of Industrial Design, it has competencies that span all phases of Product Development: from conceptual ideation, to design and prototyping, to manufacturing including ergonomic and market analysis. CETMA is the only center in Southern Italy listed in the web platform launched by DG GROWTH, that maps the centers that offer Enabling Technologies (AT) to SMEs. OUR NUMBERS In-depth skills in Advanced Materials, ICT, XR Technologies and Industrial Design 1.000+ customers (both private and public) 1.350+ total services 120+ services/year 127 independent research projects 20+ independent research projects/year 75% customers from local SMEs 18+ collaboration countries OUR STRENGTHS Application development with the most advanced digital technologies Development of new products with advanced materials and technologies Augmented reality for cultural valorization Consulting and Research on innovative materials and processes Innovative circular economy solutions Digital technologies.

The National Center for Irrigation Technology (CENTER), created in 1985, is the technological instrument of the Directorate-General for Rural Development to address the challenges associated with irrigation and integrated water resource management.

Among its many activities are: 1)To foster and promote water efficiency and sustainable management in irrigation areas; 2) To become a center of applied research, development, testing, standardization and innovation in cutting-edge technologies for irrigation. 3) To foster and conduct international cooperation for development in irrigation and rural development.

TRAGSA Group as public company supports the Ministry and CENTER in Digital Hubs activities with own R&D resources & projects (http://www.tragsa.es): 

The companies that are collaborating and working in the CENTER are:

Batchline: http://www.batchline.es/
Ingenieria y Control Remoto SA: http://www.icr-sa.com/
REGABER: http://regaber.com/
Isastur :https://www.isastur.com/es/home
Serina: https://www.serina.es/

Also, the involved Irrigation Communities  are:

Valle-Inferior: http://valleinferior.es/

Genil-Cabra:http://www.crgenilcabra.es/ Digital technologies.

Non-profit organization chaired by François BONNEAU, also president of the Center-Val de Loire region, DEV'UP federates all the regional economic actors, from the region to the groups of cities, from the CESER to the consular chambers, from the public services to the organizations competitiveness clusters of the research network. An unprecedented collective commitment to employment and support for businesses and territories in the region.

A real entry point in the Center-Val de Loire region, the agency supports any business or economic project leader (innovation, implementation, investment, recovery, search for partners, export ...) via its 6 local agencies, its technical, operational and advisory network. Its teams provide tailor-made services for:

• Animation of the territory and management of networks of regional economic actors

• attractiveness of the territory

• International development in particular through European programs

• Support for innovative companies

• Animation of the regional digital ecosystem "French Tech Loire Valley"

• Coordination of the Regional Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization (RIS3)

DEV'UP and its partners (mentioned below) grouped in consortium, are able to support regional SMEs in their digital transformation in different ways with tailored made services:

Awareness creation:
Through the actions in favor of entrepreneurship, the members of the consortium make future entrepreneurs aware of the specific issues of digital transformation. At events such as Startups Week Ends or Hackathon type programs as well as pitch competitions, project holders are fully informed.
In partnership with the employment houses in the so-called "sensitive" districts of the cities, awareness-raising actions to create businesses in the digital domain are also organized.

Ecosystem building, scouting, brockerage, networking:
On April 3rd, the French government awarded the national French Tech label to the entire regional territory. The application for the French Tech label has been coordinated by DEV'UP. This label marks the recognition that there is a network in the region enabling digital companies to develop.
Based on the good practices identified in the Interreg Europe ESSPO project, a customer journey targeting the digital needs of SMEs will be implemented from 2019 onwards.

Visioning and strategy development for businesses:
In addition, DEV'UP manage the network of economic developers of the Center Val de Loire which has more than 380 members visiting companies and who address digital issues whenever necessary.
As indicated in the various examples, it is common for companies to need strategic advice for their digital arbitrage.

Collaborative researchs:
INSA and university laboratories are encouraged to participate in collaborative projects with regional companies through actions implemented by the competitiveness clusters or collaborative research programs funded by the Region.

Validation and prototyping concept & Testing and validation:
The network of FabLabs distributed throughout the Center Val de Loire region and the Industry Lab based in orleans are platforms that allow project owners or companies to validate and prototype digital solutions that are recommended by the consortium members.

Digital maturity assessment:
Businesses in the region can benefit from free digital diagnosis to identify their needs for digital transformation and develop an action plan to achieve this.
The GIP RECIA has organized training courses for economic developers to be trained in the realization of these diagnoses.

Incubator / acceleration support:
Several structured programs are being developed by DEV'UP, Orleans Loire Valley Technopole and BIC ThePlacebyCCI to help incubate and accelerate projects related to digital technology and implement tailor-made support.
For fast-growing SMEs, a regional accelerator was set up by Bpifrance and the regional council to enable them to become large companies.

Access your funding and investor readiness services
DEV'UP has set up a specific program for regional SMEs wishing to raise funds called "Scale up - access to finance". The agency also organizes  information seminars and B to B appointments with VCs.

Mentoring:
The French Tech Loire Valley Board is made up of 9 digital entrepreneurs who can mentor companies in the digital community. Other mentoring opportunities are proposed during events.

Education and skills
The two Universities of Orleans and Tours and the INSA Center Val de Loire offer a complete set of high-Education courses. Several other organizations labeled "Grande Ecole du Numérique", including CEFIM and Wild Code School, have developed operational and varied training to meet the needs of regional businesses in the digital filed.

The core consortium of DIH Centre Val de Loire, coordinated by DEV'UP (https://www.devup-centrevaldeloire.fr/dih), is composed of the following actors:

 

RECIA : https://www.recia.fr/

Université d’Orléans: https://www.univ-orleans.fr/

Université de Tours: https://www.univ-tours.fr/site-de-l-universite/accueil--598731.kjsp

INSA Centre Val de Loire: http://www.insa-centrevaldeloire.fr/fr/

BRGM : https://www.brgm.fr/

Cosmetic Valley : https://www.cosmetic-valley.com/

S²E² : http://www.s2e2.fr/

Elastopole : https://www.elastopole.com/

DREAM : http://www.poledream.org/

Vegepolys : https://www.vegepolys.eu/

CETIM Centre Val de Loire : https://www.cetimcentrevaldeloire.fr

CRESSIT Industrie : http://www.cresitt.com/

Orleans Val de Loire Technopole : http://www.tech-orleans.fr/

ThePlacebyCCI : http://www.theplacebycci28.fr/

Wild Code School https://wildcodeschool.fr/

CEFIM : https://www.cefim.eu/

Regional Chamber of Commerce : http://centre.cci.fr/

CIMI : http://www.cimi.fr/ Digital technologies.