Most recent articles
Helping through Code: How a Life‑Changing Programming Contest Began
Can a hackathon for young programmers help solve a problem that’s been beyond the reach of medicine? Now we know that the answer is yes. #AimtecHackathon proves it. Competing teams address challenges sent in by specific people with disabilities and non-profit organisations. We spoke with its main organiser Petra Šteklová about the road that led to today’s version of this hacker competition.
Panel Discussion on the Future of Logistics: AI, Work with Data and a Clash of Generations
The era of merely collecting data is behind us. Now we have to decide: what’s the right way to use that data – and protect it? The “Digital. Future-Proof?” panel discussion at the Trends in Automotive Logistics 2025 conference this May touched on a number of fundamental questions related to the digitalisation of logistics. The panel’s experts shared their views and experience regarding artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and changing job roles, as well as how to bridge the generation gap in the workplace.
Focus on the Essentials, Accept Change, Stay Humble: Valuable Advice from the Speakers at TAL 2025
“If you had to choose the one thing that’s helped you the most... what would it be?” At this year’s Trends in Automotive Logistics conference – with the tagline “Digital. Future-Proof?” – speakers shared their opinions on the most important lessons their professional journeys have taught them. In these logistics experts’ answers, you’ll find both values and practical tips – from daily decision-making to strategies for managing people and changes. Together they offer a diverse yet surprisingly consistent map for everyone who wants growth – professional or personal.
An Interview with Hana Součková (SAP) and Jan Kratochvil (Aimtec): The Cloud Is Changing the Rules
Artificial intelligence, fast projects and a return to the clean core. What does tomorrow’s digitalisation look like according to SAP? “We’re a hub interconnecting business and technology. It’s our partners who polish every project until it’s flawless,” says Hana Součková, Managing Director of SAP Czech Republic. Together with Aimtec’s Jan Kratochvil, she discusses how data is shaping manufacturing’s future, why the cloud is more than cost savings and how much it means to have a reliable partner.
“We are constantly innovating. Our digitalisation roadmap, ergoscreening, and AI are all helping us in this,” says Tomáš Neškrabal from SKF.
Digitalisation, artificial intelligence, ergonomics and automation – at the SKF plant in Chodov, near the Czech city of Karlovy Vary, all of these areas boost logistics and manufacturing. SKF, which is among the global leaders in centralised lubrication systems, is getting ready to build one of the most modern automatic warehouses in the Czech Republic. We spoke with Ing. Tomáš Neškrabal, the plant’s Logistics Leader, to learn what their digital transformation looks like in practice and what roles are being played by AI, mobile technologies, ergoscreening and more. Tomáš leads a team of more than one hundred employees.
The best quotes from Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL 2025)
How are people in logistics using AI – and is it paying off for them? Is standardisation going out of style? And how is humans’ role within the factory evolving in the real world? Trends in Automotive Logistics 2025, a conference with the tagline Digital. Future-Proof? answered all these questions and more. Experts from key companies such as BMW Group, Bosch, Škoda Auto and Siemens shared their experience and visions for this field’s future. Read on to see the most distinctive words that resounded at this year’s conference. And find out who has the world’s best potato salad.
Make Your Logistics Ready for the AI Revolution: TAL 2025 Speakers Share Their Experience
The automotive industry stands before a revolution. The rise of artificial intelligence is changing established processes and bringing new possibilities. But what obstacles are companies having to overcome so that they can deploy AI effectively? The experts and industry leaders appearing at Trends in Automotive Logistics 2025 – with the tagline “Digital. Future-Proof?” – are sharing their experience and viewpoints on the key challenges in deploying AI.
Stress‑Free System Integration: How to Connect Everything Without Losing Control
Systems that don’t talk to each other, hours of extra work due to integration errors, endless log scanning, or everyone’s nightmare — production downtime. Fortunately, these now belong to bad dreams rather than the reality of a modern digital factory. So how do you build a system integration that works reliably, predictably — and most importantly — without worries?
How can you overcome uncertainty in automotive logistics? Here’s some valuable advice from the speakers at TAL 2025
What can companies do to enable them to respond to challenges that they’re not yet even aware of? We posed this question to the leading experts in automotive logistics who will be coming together on 20 May 2025 at the Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL) conference in Pilsen, with the tagline “Digital. Future-Proof?” Read up on what the TAL 2025 speakers see as important for building resilience in the swiftly changing automotive sector.
6 IT Trends Worth Watching – Insights from Aimtec Experts
The digital world is developing swiftly, and so is the way in which firms are innovating. The cloud is bringing flexibility, artificial intelligence is speeding up decision-making and cybersecurity is more important than ever. We carefully test new technologies and select the ones that have long-term potential and are ready for industrial use. We bring you our experts’ insight into which trends truly change the rules of the game – and how to take hold of them so that they’re truly useful.
AI Data Extraction Unchained: Automation That Will Finally Ease Your Work
All those thousands of partners, customers and suppliers… Thanks to EDI, they’re now conveniently integrated into your ERP system, but you still get quite a few PDFs over email whose data you must copy by hand. Extraction of data from documents such as invoices, orders and delivery notes is among the foundational processes for a functioning business. Yet paradoxically, you’ll often encounter a wealth of mistakes caused by the diversity of business document formats or bad data transcription. The existing methods for automated data extraction are demanding to develop, and they have to be adapted to every change to a PDF document’s layout. Meanwhile, this area is ideal for integrating artificial intelligence, which will quickly eliminate all these troubles. Just how much can it accomplish?
The Trends in Automotive Logistics Conference 2025: You Can’t Make It Without People and Resilient Systems
Artificial intelligence, electromobility, regulations and fears around competition from China. The automotive sector’s future is in many respects unclear, yet despite this, it is essential for companies to develop a digital factory. Tangible tips, paths and experience are offered once again by yet another year of the Trends in Automotive Logistics conference, coming up on 20 May 2025 in Pilsen. Roman Žák, the co-founder of Aimtec and head of its advisory board, welcomes you to this event with a deep tradition and international impact.
Zebra MC3400: Better Performance, Range and Ergonomics
The worlds of logistics and manufacturing are all about speed, precision and reliability. Every second counts, and every error means losses. That’s why it’s important to have devices at hand that can handle demanding processes without delays. The Zebra MC3400 is a modern mobile terminal with top-notch performance, excellent connectivity, and ruggedness – making it an indispensable tool for anyone seeking improved process efficiency and stable access to data.
Change Management at REHAU Automotive: Digital Transformation in Practice
What’s the most effective way to develop a company’s business? Michael Colberg, Chief Operations Officer at REHAU Automotive, has a clear-cut reply: Digitalisation. He presented his viewpoint in a presentation at the Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL) 2024 conference, where he called above all for a pragmatic approach to the entire topic. According to Colberg, digitalisation is really not rocket science. “Don’t be afraid – just dive right in!” says this manager with three decades of experience in automotive.
Focus on cash, data and automation: these are the trends in the industrial supply chain
The automotive industry is in crisis – and not just in Germany. Many suppliers are tied to the large manufacturers. What can they do now to guide their companies safely through the crisis? The 'Trends in Automotive Logistics' (TAL) conference of Aimtec, the digitalisation specialist, which took place in Pilsen in the summer of 2024, provided food for thought and inspiration on how the industry could prepare for the future.
EDI and SAP integration – Part 2: Don’t Do It for the OEM – Do It for You
What problems can be solved and what new benefits can be gained by integrating Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) with SAP ERP? This question was explored at an Aimtec-organised workshop with presentations by Business Development Manager Adam Heller and SAP SD Consultant Tomáš Pašek. This article focuses on the second part of the workshop, devoted to SAP SD.
Thilo Jörgl joins TAL 2025 as a speaker – watch his interview
Thilo Jörgl, a prominent figure in intralogistics, is the manager of the IFOY Award and the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS event. During the 24th Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL) conference, organised by Aimtec, he sat down for an interview regarding his expertise and experience.
Digitalisation and Its Human Dimension
The digital transformation is a present challenge for many companies in a variety of fields. As Michal Fichtner, Head of Digitalization Operations at Continental Automotive emphasised at Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL 2024), you need to thoroughly understand this process, and above all win over your people for it.
EDI and SAP integration – Part 1: Added Value beyond Mere Data Transfer
What benefits do you get when you integrate Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) with SAP ERP? This question was explored at an Aimtec-organised workshop with presentations by Business Development Manager Adam Heller and SAP SD Consultant Tomáš Pašek.
Trends in Czech Logistics 2025 Study: Automation Is Essential
Automation, the collection, evaluation and utilisation of data, the deployment of AI tools, and sustainability. These are the pillars of future growth – and the solution to logistics' most urgent problems, such as the manpower crunch, wage growth pressure and increasing regulation from the EU. These are the conclusions from the Trends in Czech Logistics 2025 study, prepared for SKLAD by the Ipsos agency.
Interview with prof. Dr. Heinz‑Jürgen Klepzig: Companies need cash!
Prof. Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Klepzig, who teaches at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg and mainly focuses on business economics and logistics, assessed the German and European automotive industry’s challenges and trends in an interview at the Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL) 2024 conference, organised by Aimtec.
What visions and news did this autumn’s Aimtec DCIx User Group meeting bring?
The regular meeting in Pilsen for users of Aimtec’s DCIx solution took place at the end of October. Participants learned Aimtec’s visions in logistics and manufacturing, the latest features the system has to offer, what plans are in store for future versions and more. Case studies from two companies, DŘEVO TRUST and DENSO MANUFACTURING CZECH, were on the agenda as well. Participants also showed great interest in the morning workshops on current topics, such as logistics automation and the application of AI, comprehensively interconnected and managed manufacturing, and enterprise digitalisation. Couldn’t make it to the meeting and missed the latest news, or want to go back over some of the presentations? Watch the videos from the main afternoon segment.
BI reporting brings full data automation, says Futaba Czech’s Radek Slanař
Futaba Czech manufactures steel components for cars. Its Czech plant in Havlíčkův Brod was built to serve as Futaba’s sole location in continental Europe – a role it still retains today. It is also highly valued from this Japanese industrial group’s standpoint because it strives for constant progress in operational management, which oversees logistics, manufacturing, maintenance and more. To achieve defined KPIs and provide precise and timely KPI reporting to its parent company, the plant recently switched to reporting its indicators with the help of BI. What fuelled the plant’s decision, what will the new tool bring it and what are its further visions? We spoke on all this and more with Radek Slanař, this Czech enterprise’s plant manager.
Interview with Prof. Dr. Nils Finger: What does the new normal mean in the logistics?
The interview with Prof. Dr. Nils Finger, a renowned supply chain expert and regional spokesperson for the German Logistics Association (BVL), sheds light on the current challenges and changes in the logistics industry. Speaking at the Trends in Automotive Logistics (TAL) 2024 conference organised by Aimtec, Nils Finger emphasises that the world has changed significantly since the pandemic and that we are now living in the ‘new normal’.
The Zebra KC50: A Flexible and Powerful Helper for Smart Manufacturing
Digitalisation is key in today’s swiftly changing industrial environment. In order for companies to remain competitive, they need devices that are powerful, flexible and easy to integrate into existing systems. Precisely these requirements are met by the Zebra KC50, the latest kiosk computer from Zebra. This Android-driven device combines modern design with robust performance and represents the ideal solution not just for retail, but also for manufacturing and logistics processes.
E‑invoicing in B2B: How to Get Ready for Mandatory Digitalisation
A new mandatory requirement is taking effect in Germany in 2025: companies must accept digital invoices. Also, from 2027 they will have to both receive and send them digitally. Other countries will also have to comply with similar legislative requirements by then. The European Union directive involved is part of a broader trend of digitalisation of public and company processes throughout Europe with the goal of making business more transparent and efficient. For companies doing business with German partners, this change is a key milestone for which they will have to prepare thoroughly.
Zebra WT6400 and RS2100: Transform Your Warehouse with This Dynamic Duo
Zebra Technologies has introduced two hot new products that can work together to maximally improve work processes for all your operators. The combo of the Zebra WT6400 wearable hands-free terminal and the RS2100 scanner represents a unique union of comfort, ergonomics and productivity. What’s the potential of wearable devices, and what do the new products from Zebra Technologies bring to the market?
Petr Kraus, SPORTISIMO: Automation technologies can work miracles. But not on their own – these miracles take effort.
Petr Kraus has been in IT for over two decades. He’s full of insights into retail, logistics and manufacturing. The interconnectedness of these areas is what lets him view things with the needed distance. One recent project that he’s just completed is for the Ostrava central distribution centre of the sporting goods distributor SPORTISIMO, s.r.o. What questions did he consider? What challenges did he face? Did everything always turn out smoothly when he knew exactly what he wanted? How did he select suppliers and technologies, and what could he recommend, based on his rich experience, to other companies seeking to automate? We asked Petr about all this and more.
Simulation Tools: The key to efficient process planning in manufacturing and logistics
How can you ensure effective evaluation during the planning processes in a project’s opening phases? Can advanced add-ons like virtual reality and artificial intelligence tools make simulation models more effective? And how necessary are comprehensive simulations of production and logistics systems for proper estimation, process planning and better awareness? Tomáš Sauer, Global Competence Field Leader at FORVIA HELLA, answered all this for us at the Trens in Automotive Logistics (TAL) 2024 conference.
An interview with Otakar Horák: Data as the foundation for successful digitalisation
Data was the star player at this year’s Trends in Automotive Logistics conference. It’s no wonder, because high-quality clean data is essential for making the most of the potential new technologies, digitalisation and automation can offer. We spoke with Otakar Horák about how to use these to the fullest. He deals with data, and work with data, every day as the head of a division specialising in advanced planning systems.
Rostislav Schwob: The Latest Aimtec DCIx Version Makes Connected Manufacturing and AI/ML a Reality
The world around us is constantly accelerating and globalising. That means growing competition, and companies are pushed into ever greater and more frequent changes. New technologies are rushing at them from all sides. It seems like just about everything can be automated now, and everything can control itself with help from digitalisation and artificial intelligence. How can the Aimtec DCIx digitalisation platform help companies with this? And what will our October seminar for customers be showing them? We came with these questions to the person best placed to answer them: Aimtec’s Supply Chain Solutions Director Rostislav Schwob.
Aimtec Integration Platform: An Effective Solution for EDI, WebEDI and System Integration
In the globalised, interconnected world of industry today, flexibility and effectiveness are crucial for staying competitive. And tools that go beyond just handling ordinary operations and further streamline your processes are essential. Aimtec Integration Platform is a comprehensive solution for managing and optimising electronic data interchange and integrating internal systems.
We must not forget the values that support our foundations
For the first time in Aimtec’s history, neither of its founders is serving as its CEO. Jaroslav Follprecht and Roman Žák have placed the company in the hands of Pavel Boháč, an experienced manager previously in charge of the division that handles planning and data processing.
“People and data are worth their weight in gold.” The best quotes from the Trends in Automotive Logistics Conference 2024
People, data and sustainability: these are the topics that resounded at the Trends in Automotive Logistics Conference 2024, subtitled Driving the Digital Fast Lane. How can you drive safely in digitalisation’s fast lane while still transforming quickly enough? Nearly 400 experts in logistics, manufacturing and IT from the European automotive sector came to the conference to explore this question. Ten inspiring speakers rotated on the stage throughout the day. What were the most interesting quotes at this conference? Read our picks below.
3 tips for strengthening automotive supply chains
The last few years have been full of upheavals that have exposed the hidden weaknesses of international supply chains. These developments urgently remind us that we will all need to focus on improving our resilience from here forward. What specific steps can automotive industry suppliers take to protect themselves against production stoppages, delivery interruptions and cost overruns?
Efficient in the Dark: The Five Phases on the Way to a Dark Warehouse
Fully automated warehouses – dark warehouses – aren’t just science fiction anymore. They’re coming to the forefront in the real world. They operate without human intervention and in the dark, because their robots and machines can work without light, and their processes run based on system commands. What are the ideal steps and paths on the way to a dark warehouse? Can digital twins help with deploying these warehouses?
What does it mean to be a key OEM supplier?
New car models are coming onto the market every day. And each new model is accompanied by a number of variants that we as customers can choose from. The effects are obvious. The number of Just in Sequence (JIS) suppliers – those delivering parts in sequence straight to the assembly lines of automotive manufacturers (OEMs) – is on the rise. “In sequence” means that products come prepared in the same sequence as will be used for assembly on the line. Why is this done, and what does a supplier need to do to satisfy customers in the tough automotive environment while also keeping full control over the fulfilment of the contracts?
Migrating to SAP S/4HANA: Harness the potential of EDI for supply chain optimisation
SAP is one of the world’s most widely used ERP systems today, and its first version dates all the way back to the 1970s. The business world has changed dynamically since that era, and these changes have made it essential for companies to have an ever more complex and robust information infrastructure to support their digitalisation and automation. In 2015, this led SAP to come forward with a breakthrough solution: SAP S/4HANA. It represents a technological leap towards greater speed and stability and a modern user interface. But, above all, it’s ready to support companies as they go about transforming their business, integrating new technologies, plugging in AI, working with data and more.
Focus on your business and let professionals manage your IT systems
One thing is certain: cyberattacks are here to stay, so we have no choice but to be prepared and mitigate the risk. As Aimtec’s Chief Information Officer Michal Kárník explains, it’s best to adopt a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, define an overall plan, and stick to it. We interviewed Kárník and asked which approaches he thought could guarantee that information systems would run smoothly, ideally without requiring any action from the customer.
The Trends in Automotive Logistics Conference 2024: In the fast lane of the digitalisation highway
Digital transformation is like a road that enterprises drive down to adapt to changing conditions and gain a competitive advantage. What do the “drivers” – CEOs, logisticians and IT experts – need so they can enter the fast lane of the digitalisation highway? What abilities, platforms and technologies are necessary to ensure they and their teams are confidently pointed towards their goals? We spoke with Roman Žák, co- founder of the conference organiser Aimtec, on the topics for the next TAL conference, which will take place in Pilsen on 18 June.
Efficient in the Dark: The Dark Warehouse as the Future of Warehouse Logistics
Warehouse logistics is always a challenge for manufacturers. The movements of a large quantity of products offer significant optimisation potential, but they also mean many potential points of failure. Fully automated warehouses, also known as ’dark warehouses’, are often seen as the ideal solution to every problem. What makes them better than regular warehouses, and what makes them different?
The topic of our autumn SAP User Group: the latest trends in SAP
At the end of last year, users of SAP – one of the world’s most widespread ERP solutions – met up in Pilsen yet again to gain new information, share their experiences, discuss the latest developments and more. During the event’s morning programme, they could enjoy several introductory presentations, which were followed by case studies and a showing of a new video from LASSELSBERGER. For the afternoon, they could choose from among several hands-on workshops.
Global Flexibility with B2G E‑Invoicing
Business is constantly evolving in our digitalised age. The transition to electronic Invoicing (e-Invoicing) within B2G (Business-to-Government) is a key element for ensuring transparency and compliance.
Warehouse and Shop floor Electronics’ Worst Foes
Manufacturing and storage spaces are often demanding environments, presenting a challenge not only for the people moving in them, but also for their electronic assistants. Barcode scanners, vehicle-mounted computers or printers are everywhere. What dangers await these devices? Let’s take a look at their three greatest enemies.
The Zebra Technologies MC9400: A Brand‑new Scanner and Other New Features
Almost five million MC9000 terminals are helping worldwide to simplify and improve processes in even the toughest conditions every day. Now a new generation is here. Get to know the leader on the mobile terminals market: the Zebra MC9400. What does it have to offer? More performance, a brand-new barcode scanner and the fastest connection options for wireless networks.
