In this publication a widespread phenomenon is studied: in many usage
scenarios modern complex machines show a significant difference between
the maximum sustainable performance available in well specified
environments and the average performance many users experience in their
everyday interaction with the machine. This performance gap appears to
be increasing with technical progress and performance of machines.
Although this situation is probably well known to many readers -- and
very often not so quietly endured -- it was not studied systematically
so far. This publication describes the conceptual background of the
performance gap in a very general way. It develops a semi-quantitative
description and points to approaches to reduce the performance gap in
current and future environments.
Process executives, engineers and system analysts will hopefully benefit
from this approach especially in the dynamic environments envisioned in
initiatives like the German Industrie 4.0.
In the technology network Intelligent Technical Systems
OstWestfalenLippe (short: it's OWL) around 200 companies, universities,
research institutions and organisations have joined forces to jointly
shape the innovative leap from mechatronics to intelligent technical
systems. Together they develop approaches and technologies for
intelligent products and production processes, smart services and the
working world of the future. The spectrum ranges from automation and
drive solutions to machines, vehicles, automats and household appliances
to networked production plants and platforms. This creates a unique
technology platform that enables companies to increase the reliability,
resource efficiency and user-friendliness of their products and
production systems and tap the potential of digital transformation.
