Smartification - How companies are making products and networks intelligent

The term smartification refers to the upgrading of traditional products, systems or infrastructures through digital intelligence. Physical components such as machines or power supply units are equipped with sensors in order to digitalise and network processes. Smartification is taking place across all sectors, from industry and the energy sector to building technology.

In contrast to general digitalisation, which is primarily aimed at replacing analogue with digital processes, smartification goes one step further: it integrates physical products deeply into digital ecosystems and turns them into active data sources or autonomously acting units.

The technological basis is formed by embedded systems, i.e. microcontrollers that are integrated into devices and have sensors, actuators and interfaces. In combination with IoT platforms, cloud architectures and artificial intelligence, adaptive, scalable and networked systems are created.

The increasing feed-in of renewable energies, the boom in electromobility and the electrification of heating systems pose new challenges for electricity grids. Especially at the low-voltage level, there is often a lack of reliable real-time data to recognise load peaks or avoid grid disruptions.

Smartification provides a remedy here. Digital local network stations (digiONS), intelligent metering systems (iMsys) and networked sensors make grid operation more transparent, automatable and robust. Regulatory requirements such as Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) can also be implemented technically.

At the same time, smartification is part of a larger development: the digitalisation of the electricity grid. It not only includes smart applications, but also the structural reorganisation of the entire system, including communication networks, IT security and interoperable standards. The aim is to create a network that can be flexibly controlled and seamlessly connects a wide variety of components.

A digitalised electricity grid enables the exchange of large amounts of data in real time: a prerequisite for efficiently controlling electricity flows and sensibly integrating volatile feed-ins such as wind and solar. In the long term, this will create a dynamic system that is not only geared towards power generation, but also towards resilience.

Smartification is the starting point for this. It is crucial that individual applications do not remain isolated, but are integrated into a thought-through overall system - from a technical, economic and regulatory perspective.

Smart technologies open up new opportunities to increase efficiency, automate processes and make data-based decisions. Typical fields of application are

• Industrial production: Modern machines record parameters such as temperature or pressure in real time. Intelligent software analyses the data and detects deviations at an early stage before quality losses or failures occur. This means that production can not only be monitored, but actively controlled.
• Construction site: In sensitive environments such as civil engineering, networked sensors continuously measure the pressure on excavation walls, for example. The data is analysed centrally in the cloud. This allows risks to be recognised at an early stage and without time-consuming on-site inspections.
• Building management: Technical systems such as doors or heating systems can be monitored and controlled remotely via digital platforms. The status can be monitored at all times and maintenance can be carried out as required.
• Component production: Even simple components such as filters or valves can be smartified. For example, built-in sensors can automatically report contamination or wear. A display in the dashboard replaces the manual visual inspection and increases efficiency.

The following advantages show why investments in smart technologies are worthwhile:

1. Increased efficiency through automation: When machines and systems communicate with each other, processes become faster, more precise and less error-prone. Sensors and digital systems take over data acquisition and status checks in the background. This saves time, reduces sources of error and relieves the burden on skilled labour.
2. Predictive maintenance reduces downtimes: Instead of reacting to faults, predictive maintenance enables predictive maintenance through the use of sensors. They continuously monitor the condition of technical systems and recognise signs of wear at an early stage. Maintenance can therefore be targeted and planned.
3. Remote services create flexibility: Remote maintenance and centralised control reduce service costs and enable rapid response interventions across locations. At the same time, updates and configurations can be rolled out centrally. This speeds up processes and shortens downtimes.
4. Basis for data-based business models: Smartification creates the basis for data-driven business models. Usage data becomes the basis for new services, such as usage-based billing or individualised offers.
5. Cost savings through optimised operation: Automated processes and targeted use of data reduce ongoing operating costs. In addition, sensors visualise inefficient processes and enable precise interventions. At the same time, maintenance is no longer carried out at fixed intervals, but only when it is really necessary.
6. Scalability for future requirements: Smart systems can be expanded quickly and flexibly from individual applications to networked complete solutions. For example, companies can start small with the conversion and expand their smartification step by step. In this way, investments remain manageable and grow with the requirements.
7. Increased transparency and a better basis for decision-making: The continuous collection and analysis of operational data provides a clearer picture of the actual processes in the company. Managers and specialist departments can make well-founded and data-supported decisions on this basis. This improves planning, investments and strategic alignment.

Smartification is a strategic response to real pressure to change and an opportunity for companies to recover technological control over processes and networks. Instead of rigid processes, systems are created that react to real-time data and therefore work more efficiently and resiliently.

Those who start early gain valuable experience, identify potential and create strategic advantages over the competition. The key lies in well thought-out implementation: with clear goals, the right technologies and an experienced partner at your side. Deutsche Telekom supports companies with scalable IoT solutions, secure networks and comprehensive consulting.