According to BE-terna, a specialist in enterprise software based in Sindelfingen near Stuttgart, the crisis in industry is structural in nature, with the biggest challenges currently being cost and competitive pressure. BE-terna sees the solution in leaps in productivity, greater efficiency in development and superior product quality. The means to achieve this are artificial intelligence (AI) that manufacturing companies can trust and seamless integration of the business and physical value chain. At HANNOVER MESSE 2025, the Swabians will be presenting, among other things, trustworthy AI solutions for demand forecasting and customer support, as well as seamless integration between ERP and PLM solutions. Visitors will find the Microsoft partner at the joint Baden-Württemberg International stand A06 in Hall 15.

Overcoming cost disadvantages

“Geopolitical uncertainties, international competitors that are now at least as good as the industry in German-speaking countries, and energy cost levels that will not be competitive in the foreseeable future – the crisis is not cyclical, but structural. To escape it successfully and permanently, manufacturing companies must once again be fundamentally better than their international competitors. The key to this is productivity. Massive efficiency increases in production, quality assurance, customer service and development can more than compensate for cost disadvantages, keep competitors at bay and help open up new markets,” explains Christian Rothner, Business Development Manager at BE-terna. ”At HANNOVER MESSE, we are showcasing intelligent solutions for real productivity leaps that can help industrial companies get back on the road to growth.”

Generative AI in industry: trust, reliability, advantage

In order to achieve the required productivity gains, artificial intelligence has become a key technology in the manufacturing context. However, for it to be successfully used in practice, companies need to be able to rely on the reliability of its results. The BE-terna experts at the company stand will be happy to answer any questions about how the basis for this can be created using various approaches.

AI analyses of other algorithms

For example, generative artificial intelligence can be used to explain AI analyses of other algorithms – for example in the area of demand forecasting or warehouse optimization – in order to provide those responsible with insights into how they were created. So instead of having to blindly believe the results, manufacturing companies can gradually build trust in the technology. Likewise, customer service can benefit greatly from AI: the intelligent technology promises to provide quick help with queries at all times – but only if its recommendations are reliably correct and robust. To achieve this, it is crucial to tie the range of responses from generative AI to a specific, verified data pool. This is a process that BE-terna's experts can provide comprehensive practical support with.

Integrating PLM and ERP: productivity, quality, compliance

BE-terna's presentation also focuses on the effective interaction between ERP and PLM: the seamless connection between the two traditionally separate and only partially bridged ERP and PLM worlds offers great potential for productivity. Media disruptions, manual data transfers or unidirectional interfaces between sales, technology and operations lead to delays in the order fulfillment process and are at the expense of efficient product development.

Seamless integration of two worlds

BE-terna, together with its partner Bluestar PLM, presents the solution to these problems: seamless integration of both worlds ensures a “single source of truth” that automatically keeps CAD, PLM and ERP data in sync in a single solution. All relevant information is immediately available to the responsible persons in all areas, so that everyone works reliably with the current design data and parts lists. In addition to more productive manufacturing and development, such a solution also supports the efficient tracking and correction of design errors or defects.

Expert presentation in the ERP lounge

In addition to product-focused demos and innovations at the exhibition stand, BE-terna is also participating in the extensive conference program at HANNOVER MESSE 2025. Under the title “How can I immediately improve my processes with industry know-how and AI?”, Klaus Weber, Solution Sales Specialist at BE-terna, will be highlighting how industrial companies can benefit from AI without long project durations. The presentation will take place in the ERP Lounge on April 2 at 12:00.

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