The Internet of Things signifies fully connected value chains as well as secure machine-to-machine communication – independent of the industry, with maximum availability and security. Smartphones and wearables like data goggles make people part of this network.

Without digitization, where would we be today? How far has it brought us? And when did it actually begin? What is certain, is that digitization is not a revolution, but an evolution. Digitization is an evolution, which took took its time in the beginning, but has gained significant momentum since then.

SAP users are divided: while some see S/4HANA as strategically important for their companies, others view the system as merely a new ERP release. SAP S/4HANA makes it possible to control business processes in real time and bring in new business models and customer services. RUD, a manufacturer of anti-skid chains for cars and commercial vehicles, has seen the system for itself. Its sales staff are now fully informed about the latest stock levels...

At over 80 million metric tons annually, the Port of Durban is Africa's largest container port. Long waiting times for approaching ships and bottlenecks in the harbor are everyday events. Commissioned by the harbor operator Transnet, T-Systems and its partners developed an ICT solution from a SAP-HANA data base, an LTE network and drones. This allows increasing goods and traffic flows to be controlled intelligently...

They were long the last redoubt of the unconnected world. These days cars have become computers on wheels with Internet access. That puts them in cross hairs of hackers. The auto industry understands the risk – and is equipping its products to withstand cyber attacks. T-Systems has developed ESLOCKS, a digital guard dog, to protect cars from within their onboard system...

From 2018, ASFINAG, Austria's national infrastructure company, will be running the interoperable, electronic toll system "GO Maut" with support from T-Systems. On-board units called GO boxes working in conjunction with toll portals will record the distances trucks travel on motorways and highways. This will mark the first time a national toll system has been replaced while in ongoing operation...

Drones are really on the up. But as their use soars in a diverse range of industrial applications, so too does their attractiveness as a tool for industrial espionage. That is why, in less than 18 months, Deutsche Telekom has developed the Magenta Cyber-Shield based on mobile, audio, video and radar technology. It can quickly put an end to criminal pilots' highflying schemes...