Today's Guest: Maximilian Kaiser
What drives our employees? Where do they come from, what is their motivation? Questions upon questions that are answered in our #EmployeeVoices series. It is particularly important to us to capture our employees' voices and tell the world out there what makes us special as a company.
Maximilian, can you give us an insight into your educational background and tell us how you came to objective partner?
I completed my A-levels at an Austrian grammar school, which offers the possibility of a parallel apprenticeship, followed by a degree in information technology in Salzburg. I started my career at Bertrandt, where I worked as a development engineer and then switched to the IT sector. What ultimately brought me to objective partner were the diverse projects and the flat hierarchies.
When did you start at objective partner?
I joined objective partner in the fall of 2019. Back then, the concept of remote working was not yet so widespread. I was one of the first "remote workers" and it was an adjustment for all of us, but the pandemic has shown us how efficient we can be working from home.
Your focus is on Industry 4.0, the digital twin and digital products. What sparked your interest in these areas?
These were our founder, Michael Thron, the innovative approaches of digital twins and in particular the administration shells. I immersed myself in the topic and decided to invest more of my energy in Industry 4.0 to invest my energy in Industry 4.0. The opportunity to be at the forefront of technological development was very appealing.
Which trends or developments in Industry 4.0 do you find particularly noteworthy?
The industry has tended to pursue isolated solutions, but with concepts such as digital twins and administration shells, interoperability is now possible. This is a significant step forward and opens up an era of innovative possibilities. The challenge is to put these concepts into practice.
How do you see the benefits of digital product passports for our customers, and how does this change our product development?
At objective partner, we see digital twins as the basis for digital product passports. Instead of creating separate data islands, they enable decentralized but consistent data storage. This fundamentally changes the dynamics of operational business.
What fascinates you about the design and implementation of digital twins?
The scalability and future orientation of digital twins is fascinating. They offer the possibility of continuous expansion and are a solid basis for AI strategies thanks to their standardized approaches and data structures.
What challenges are there in the integration of digital twins?
The biggest challenge often lies in human acceptance. It is important to communicate to all stakeholders why a new technology or method can be more beneficial and how it can make their daily work easier. This is best achieved through involvement, dialog and demonstrating concrete benefits.
Do you have a special success story you would like to share with us?
In one project, we were able to get the workforce excited about digitizing production despite initial resistance. One example: one of the employees was very skeptical at first. However, this quickly changed when he recognized the advantages that were now available. He then fully integrated the new system into his day-to-day work. This also had a lasting positive impact on the customer relationship.
What motivates you in your work every day?
The variety and complexity of the topics make my work exciting and motivate me every day.
Do you have any tips for younger colleagues?
Always be curious and open to new developments!
What inspires you outside of your job?
I love nature and spend a lot of time outdoors, whether hiking, skiing or sailing. Nature offers the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind. I spend at least two weeks at sea every year. What's more, life as a young father is fulfilling and time with the family is really precious.
Finally, what skills do you think are crucial for success in Industry 4.0?
A strategic approach is important right from the start. It is crucial to combine technical understanding with interdisciplinary collaboration, anticipate changes and react flexibly to new information. Communication is important to keep everyone involved up to date and ensure that the implementation of technologies runs smoothly.