Office work in most companies in Germany and Austria is still paper-based. This is the result of a recent survey commissioned by Kyocera Document Solutions. According to the office employees questioned in the survey, the introduction of digital archiving solutions could save up to two hours of working time per day.

By 2022, an operational stock of almost 4 million industrial robots are expected to work in factories worldwide. These robots will play a vital role in automating production to speed up the post-Corona economy. At the same time, robots are driving demand for skilled workers. Educational systems must effectively adjust to this demand, says the International Federation of Robotics.

Number of online shoppers has doubled for food through Corona
Just under three quarters complain about the neglect of distance and hygiene rules on site

The coronavirus pandemic’s demand-shock, brick-and-mortar store closures and stay-at-home orders have upended retail sales. As total spending declines, online spending is projected to surge by 18% in 2020, reflecting the impact of new buyers joining the online retail space as a result of the pandemic. With ecommerce expected to reach 14.5% of total retail sales this year – both an all-time high and the biggest ever share increase in a single year* – the findings of Two Sides’ recent U.S. Packaging Preferences Survey provide brand owners with valuable insights into consumers’ current thinking on packaging materials, online shopping and related behavior.
More than half of consumers (57%) prefer products ordered online to be delivered in paper/cardboard packaging, and two-thirds (66%) believe paper/cardboard packaging is better for the environment than other types of packaging.

Bouncing back will require SMBs innovation in work processes, flexible work options and customized products and services
SMBs unclear on how to innovate, especially when cashflow is a key concern
Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Australia, and Thailand SMBs are the most confident of their ability to be innovative
SMBs in Japan, South Korea and Singapore are more conservative about their predictions for the future based on the global nature of their economies
HP is introducing remote work solutions to enable SMBs to stay productive and effective

by Justin Kolbe, Market Strategy Head - Power & Industrial Automation, Henkel

Indisputable Advantages
There’s probably not a single manufacturing specialist who would disagree with the premise that Industry 4.0 (I4.0) brings tremendous benefit to industrial operations. At its core, I4.0 embodies the assurance of a better, more efficient production ecosystem. A network of machines and sensors that communicate seamlessly, providing real-time process feedback, enabling quick actionable solutions to problems, predicting downtime and maintenance requirements, tracking materials through production and continuously learning and reporting while working in close concert with human labor – this is I4.0 utopia.

By Owen Kilbane, Senior Executive, Kofax

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for financial services companies to have a “Remote First” mind-set. When we look over the past number of weeks, consumers are interacting and doing more and more business online, using a new set of tools – such as Zoom. This could create a significant opportunity for financial services companies to find a better way of engaging. One can easily foresee that Wealth Management companies will use online video meetings for annual assessments.

Xerox Future of Work Survey Reveals 600 IT leaders across five countries disclose post-COVID-19 priorities in support of a flexible work environment
A new global business survey commissioned by Xerox Holdings Corporation (NYSE: XRX) shows an estimated 82% of the workforce in respondents’ organizations will have returned to the workplace in 12-18 months’ time, on average. In preparation for a return, companies are investing in new resources to support a hybrid remote / in-office workforce, with 56% increasing technology budgets and 34% planning to speed their digital transformation as a result of COVID-19.

Particularly in times when it is difficult for companies and customers to talk to each other personally, digital solutions that enable simple, location-independent, and direct exchange are more in demand than ever. With its new range of virtual showrooms, Minebea Intec is offering a digital consulting point for interested parties, thus demonstrating that the company not only has decades of expertise in weighing and inspection technology but also responds to the current crisis and the challenges it poses in the interests of the customer with innovative offers.

TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH has received official recognition from BACnet International as a Recognized BACnet Test Organization. BACnet conformity testing of building automation components by a recognized test laboratory is a prerequisite for successful BTL certification of products. TÜV SÜD Industrie Service is one of four recognized BACnet test laboratories worldwide.

The 7th drupa Global Trends Report will be published in April 2020. The results, from a survey conducted before the outbreak of the corona virus and the postponement of drupa to April 2021, show a global industry that remained positive but reflected more challenging global economic conditions. Packaging and Functional market sectors are better placed than Publishing and Commercial. North America remains buoyant but confidence has slipped in Europe and across all other regions. Developing regions are held back by concerns about political instability and corruption, while developed regions are nervous of an inevitable cyclical economic downturn. There is constant pressure on margins but increasingly the better companies counter this by continual innovation. Investment plans remain strong, as printers and suppliers all recognise the need to remain competitive.

Internet Exchange Operator DE-CIX Sees Even More Growth in Video Conferencing Traffic – Growing Popularity of Online and Cloud Gaming

Video conferencing traffic grows by 100% in comparison to before COVID-19
A doubling of users for online and cloud gaming platforms
Average data traffic at Internet Exchange grows by 10%