The logistics revolution has been underway for a while: With warehouse management systems, intelligent containers and driverless transportation systems, intralogistics is increasingly supporting intelligent production. However, separate technical solutions remain widespread. For that reason, the next step toward Industrie 4.0 calls for integrated system solutions, automation of the entire supply chain, international standards and partnerships that go beyond individual company, industry, and country boundaries.

At HANNOVER MESSE 2017 , Logistics 4.0 and Industrie 4.0 are attempting to close ranks: In Pavilion 32, right in the middle of the world's leading industrial trade fair, leading providers of intralogistics solutions are showcasing their innovations. Around 20 exhibitors are demonstrating their contributions to the industrial value chain. At the pavilion, VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association and Deutsche Messe AG are organizing a forum on the latest intralogistics topics dealing with production.

"Industrie 4.0 and intralogistics are directly linked. We are showing visitors to the CeMAT Pavilion at HANNOVER MESSE 2017 what intralogistics solutions can do for production processes and supply chains," says Sascha Schmel, Managing Director, VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association. "There are hardly any limits to the technological opportunities. That's why we are also providing a brief look at the future of technical developments."

This theme can also be found at the leading trade fair Research & Technology – with the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft in particular: At stand C16 in Hall 2, the Fraunhofer Institute IIS is presenting its BlackFIR® technology under the heading "Adaptronics – Producing Quiet". It provides transparent processes by enabling constant real-time location for people and objects in neighboring areas. Fraunhofer IIS sees the technology being used at airports or in logistics. The BlackFIR® 2.4 Development Kit allows it to be put to use quickly. Thanks to its simple installation it can be put into operation immediately and tested to enable reasonably priced insights into the world of real-time location.

At the Fraunhofer group pavilion (Hall 2, stand C22), Fraunhofer IML is presenting a distance learning program B.Sc. in Logistics Management, offered in collaboration with EuroFH Hamburg. The course is aimed both at people working in logistics and new entrants to the profession who are looking to acquire their first academic logistics qualifications. In addition to key commercial skills, this bachelor degree in logistics management is characterized by a major focus on logistic technologies and their application. The content ranges from well-grounded expertise in storage techniques, conveyance, and materials and industrial handling to automation and identification technology, commercial and legal expertise, and key skills such as project management, sales pitches, personnel management, and intercultural communication.

At the Fraunhofer group pavilion (Hall 2, stand C22), Fraunhofer IML is presenting a distance learning program B.Sc. in Logistics Management , offered in collaboration with EuroFH Hamburg. The course is aimed both at people working in logistics and new entrants to the profession who are looking to acquire their first academic logistics qualifications. In addition to key commercial skills, this bachelor degree in logistics management is characterized by a major focus on logistic technologies and their application. The content ranges from well-grounded expertise in storage techniques, conveyance, and materials and industrial handling to automation and identification technology, commercial and legal expertise, and key skills such as project management, sales pitches, personnel management, and intercultural communication.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO together with the University of Stuttgart is offering a work and study Masters program in "Online Logistics Management ". It provides students with comprehensive knowledge regarding operational organization and the ability to plan, control, and optimize logistics processes, and prepares them for management positions. The course targets employees and managers in logistics with a university degree in engineering or business management and at least two years of relevant work experience.

The world's leading industrial trade show is increasingly focusing on this topic. Because it is nearly impossible nowadays to treat the industrial sector and intralogistics separately, the intralogistics trade fair CeMAT will run parallel to HANNOVER MESSE beginning in 2018. Transportation management, packaging, warehouse automation, conveying systems, industrial IT, process optimization, e-commerce and online retailing, Big Data, Internet of Things, robotics and human to machine communication… All these topics will be examined together in the future.