In addition to the digitization of production, Industry 4.0 is also about the digitization of product development. What should be considered when networking and creating platforms? How does the interaction between product development and production take place in a digitized and networked system? How can business model innovations be developed systematically and in a targeted manner? How can legally defensible exclusivities on the basis of intellectual property be integrated into business models in a way that increases their value?

These questions were discussed in the renowned Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in the Institute for Product Development (IPEK) in November 2016. Prof. Dr. Horst Geschka from the Forum for Innovation Management (DIFI) has been working on scenario and innovation management for over forty years. Together with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Albert Albers hosted this DIFI conference on product innovation in the context of digitization of innovation management.

Concentrated atmosphere at IPEK for the integration of IP management into product development for Industry 4.0.

4P-Design® in product development. Prof. Dr. Wurzer presents the experiences of the last 15 years.


The IPEK – Institute for Product Development is a research facility at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). It sees itself as a center of scientific product development and innovation with a focus on drive systems and mobility. Product development is subdivided into systems, methods and processes in order to do justice to the complexity of today’s product development. IPEK: Research at IPEK.

“DIFI – Forum for Innovation Management” deals with current topics in innovation and R&D management with over 200 successfully held conferences since 1976. Speakers are competent managers from industry and well-known scientists. Value is placed on a particular focus of the speakers, who report directly from company practice and can give specific suggestions. Conference participants are executives from the R&D or innovation management of large and medium-sized companies. A manageable group of participants of 25-30 people enables the exchange of experiences with colleagues and a deepening of the topic through detailed discussions after the lectures. There are two peculiarities that distinguish DIFI from other series of conferences and events: On the one hand, the participation of the members in the selection of topics and, on the other hand, the minutes that record not only the presentations but also the subsequent discussions. Contact to DIFI. Members include Fresenius, Freudenberg, Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser, TyhssenKrupp, Voith Turo and Wüth Electronic eiSos.


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