Networking Process Data within a Zero-Error Strategy—Comprehensive Connectivity of Machines as a Basis for Value Enhancement

The connectivity of machines and the associated, sustainable value enhancement along the value chain are the subject of this chapter. The understanding of connectivity is the permanent querying of data from machine control and installed sensors. The aim of this connection is to identify errors in the production process in real time, to prevent error propagation and to permanently eliminate errors through measures of the continuous improvement process. In order to capture the overall potential of machine connectivity along the value stream, it is fundamentally important for all actors involved in the creation of the finished product to collect, accumulate and transparently visualize quality-relevant data for all stakeholders. This transparency ensures the obligation of action in the event of the smallest deviations within the production process, while at the same time offering fundamental opportunities for improvement. The primary goal is the pursuit of zero errors to generate maximum customer satisfaction. To continuously ensure predefined quality requirements for the product, it is necessary to collect and continuously evaluate indicative parameters of corresponding production processesproduction processes. If a deviation from the ideal process becomes apparent, countermeasures can be taken even before the actual product inspection occurs later in the process. One way to implement this is to use a cloud-based application that allows large amounts of process data to be collected and evaluated through direct connection. From the perspective of business ethics, purchasing now also plays a central role. To avoid interaction problems and conflicts of interest, or ultimately to ensure the consequence of actions based on the determined process data, purchasing, as a value stream-crossing actor, is essential. In this context, purchasing ensures that the improvement process takes place in the event of data deviations. Thus, purchasing acts as a value driver. This is achieved by actively demanding the traceability of achieved product qualities and corresponding evaluations and transparencies, by increasingly making this a subject of supplier development.