In mid-June, the annual IPTO conference (Institute for Production Technology and Organization) took place in Cologne, attended by ID Managing Director Tobias Butscheid. The conference serves as a platform for exchange between science and industry, and this time the topic “Application of Artificial Intelligence in Production Environments” was on the agenda. Particularly exciting for ID, as AI is already being used intensively for new application areas.

ID Engineering recognizes and leverages the advantages of artificial intelligence (AI) for its customers’ automation processes: AI agents connect multiple existing systems and data, automate decisions, and create quickly scalable, practical solutions – without having to completely rebuild the IT landscape.

In practice, these include systems such as ERP, MES, or SCADA. AI reduces manual data searches and media disruptions, leading to faster and more informed decisions. Specific use cases, such as quality analysis, maintenance, and planning, are trainable and flexibly adaptable to customer processes.

Data is analyzed in real time and provides concrete action recommendations, such as identifying deviating patterns, which leads to faster responsiveness in operational workflows.

AI agents take over repetitive analysis and coordination tasks, allowing employees to focus on value-adding activities and contribute to increasing the efficiency of the entire team. The AI is essentially “added on top,” eliminating the need for cost-intensive migration of other systems. This ultimately reduces investment costs.

Another advantage: All existing know-how remains in the system but is continuously “fed” and optimized through AI deep learning. ID applies this capability in practice, including for AI-supported camera systems in quality inspection.

ID is among the members of the Association for the Promotion of the Institute for Production Technology and Organization of TH Cologne (VPO). The association is the shareholder of the Institute for Production Technology and Organization gGmbH (IPTO) and promotes technology transfer between industry and the technical university. In cooperation with industrial companies and the Faculty of Vehicle Systems and Production of the university, important developments and findings in the field of production technology and organization are advanced.