WP1 | PROJECT MANAGEMENT

WP1 provides a management plan to ensure the effective execution of the project in its aspects of operational and financial planning, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of activities, administrative and legal aspects relating to the preparation of intermediate and final reports and management critical issues. 

LP will organize the management and coordinate the project through the figures of the Project manager (PM) and the Financial Manager (RF). Both figures communicate with the operational managers (PM, RF) of each partner. 

The WP is divided into the activities of: 

to. Start-up: signature of the subsidy contract, preparation of a detailed activity plan indicating output deadlines, deliverables and milestones, procedures and rules, format of management and control documents to be produced, organization of the Kick off meeting 

b. Project governance and monitoring: during the kick off the PPs appoint the members of the Steering Committee (CP – Steering Committee) of the project: at least 1 representative per partner with decision-making power. The CP will meet every six months on the occasion of project meetings to: monitor the implementation of activities and the progress of spending, define strategic guidelines, solve problems and verify the full implementation of WPs and milestones 

c. Coordination and preparation of activity reports: carrying out of 5 project meetings (Klagenfurt, Vicenza, Bolzano, Villach, Vicenza) in which the operational representatives of the invited partners and associated partners will participate; conducting monthly online meetings moderated by the PM to check the progress of the activities; six-monthly drafting of the report on the activities carried out by the partners; drafting of reports on project activities 

d. Administrative checks and expense reporting: collection of documentation and verification of administrative congruence every 6 months; reporting, certification and management of final reporting by the RF.

WP2 | COMMUNICATION

Communication objectives are: to inform and raise awareness of relevant actors through key institutions; reach the attention of SMEs and ensure the sustainability of the results; to increase knowledge and trust within the consortium and externally between MC 4.0 actors and companies; collect feedback on project tools, results and communication to obtain a sense of belonging and propose customized and usable tools, based on different needs. Are provided: 

a) Start-up activities: definition of the communication strategy in accordance with the Operational Program and the project objectives, the infrastructure of which will evolve throughout the life of the project; 

b) Development and dissemination of bilingual information and promotional materials (IT-D): leaflets on the objectives and aims of the project; final brochure on the project results; infographic summarizing the results of the implemented implementations; the final publication, the title of which could be “MC4.0 DEA CENTER: consolidated experiences and innovative developments”; 

c) Event organization: 1 MC 4.0 international conference (Vicenza-September 2020) in cooperation with the MCP – CE international network; 3 Focus Group (FG) MC 4.0 (made up of experts in various fields such as H2020, EUSALP, universities, international network of MCs, SMEs and Policy makers, associated partners) in the Industry 4.0 and smart living sectors; presentations of the DEA Center (WP3) and the MC 4.0 Platform (WP5) to industrial communities; 1 final conference (Vicenza-November 2021); 

d) Advertising campaign to support the dissemination of the results and the various milestones of the project in reference to defined target channels (scientific journals, working papers, etc.). The results of the communication (from the online visit of the project site to the feedback from the participants in the events through satisfaction questionnaires) will be regularly evaluated and segmented by target and level of satisfaction.

WP3 | Definition and activation of two MC 4.0 DEA pilot centers and preparation of tools and procedures to assess the level of preparation of SMEs for the use of configurators in an industry 4.0 perspective

In WP3 the two MC 4.0 DEA Centers identified in the presentation of the project are activated: one in Vicenza at LP (supported by PP1 and PP2) and one in Klagenfurt at PP7 (supported by PP5). They are a focal point of the main activities of the project and also provide direct support to the companies of BZ, PN and Villach in preparation for the launch of the additional 3 centers. The activation of each of the two centers takes place on the basis of a preliminary agreement between promoting partners and local STAKEHOLDERS, with an action program and through a presentation event by LP and PP7. 

WP3 also identifies two samples of SMEs (26 IT, 8 A) on which to test tools and procedures (AT1, AT2.1, AT2.2, AT3) to assess the level of preparation of SMEs for the use of configurators, including advanced ones , and to guide them towards an effective digitization of personalization processes. These tools are jointly developed by the three universities (PP1, PP5, PP3). To identify the two LP samples, PP7, PP1 and PP3 with the help of PP2, PP5, AP4 and IDM they visit 120 SMEs (100 IT, 20 A) using the preliminary assessment tool AT1. The 34 SMEs identified sign an agreement for participation in subsequent activities and participate in meetings to share objectives, methods and commitments. What emerges from the visits is reported in two reports on the adequacy of AT1 and on the status of SMEs in relation to the DIGITIZATION OF CUSTOMIZATION PROCESSES. 

WP3 achieves four important results: 1) the definition and activation of the MC 4.0 DEA Centers of VI and KL; 2) a mapping of the dissemination of knowledge and Mass Customization practices in SMEs in the cross-border area; 3) development and fine-tuning of tools and procedures (AT1, AT2.1, AT2.2, AT3) to assess the level of preparation of SMEs for the use of configurators, to be used for sector surveys and / or by the individual SME for self-assessment; 4) an MC 4.0 guide for SMEs

WP4 | Verification of tools for detecting the suitability of SMEs for the use of configurators and analysis of the characteristics of the most suitable configurators for the SMART LIVING sector 

In WP4, in order to prepare the 34 SMEs identified in WP3 to participate, obtaining the maximum benefit, in the test of the tools developed by the Universities and to create skills in the area, two preparatory trainings are prepared and carried out. One (at PP2 and PP7) to acquire knowledge of the characteristics of the configurators in an MC 4.0 perspective. The other (again at PP2 and PP7) for the use of configurators to reduce the DIGITAL GAP between the customization of the product with the customer and those of engineering and production. These trainings (provided by PP1 and PP5) may also be open to local companies particularly interested in the MC 4.0 theme. There will be cross-attendances of speakers of the two nationalities. 

In the 34 SMEs identified in WP3, the tools for in-depth assessments (AT2.1, AT2.2, AT3) are tested, producing 34 company-wide assessment reports. The results are then compared at a local and cross-border level, refining the tools if necessary and producing a final report of the results obtained on the validity of the tools and their optimal use. 

Finally, the main characteristics to look for in the configurators for SMART LIVING are identified with specific insights for the types of SMEs of the two samples considered. The results of the analysis are reported in a report that also provides guidelines for overcoming the gaps that have emerged in terms of skills, technologies and organization. 

WP4 achieves three important results: 1) building skills in the 26 Italian SMEs and 8 Austrian SMEs selected in WP3, through 2 preparatory trainings; 2) testing of the AT2.1, AT2.2 and AT3 tools developed by the Universities in WP3 and aimed at assessing in depth the suitability of SMEs for the use of configurators and identifying shared initiatives; 3) analysis of the main characteristics to look for in configurators for the SMART LIVING sector.

WP5 | Capacity building actions to strengthen the relationship of MC 4.0 DEA CENTER with local SMEs through the release of a platform of promotional initiatives and MC 4.0 services

WP5 provides for the development, testing and release of an MC 4.0 platform, made up of tools and services, provided by the MC 4.0 DEA CENTER, to encourage the development of MC 4.0 applications at the SMEs of the respective clusters. Two DEMONSTRATORS are prepared, each for a specific thematic area of ​​Smart Living, with the aim of highlighting the usefulness and advantages deriving from the use of configurators to SMEs. In addition, to help the end user find their way through the various possible solutions to achieve Home Wellness and Smart Living objectives, two thematic CONFIGURATORS will be developed by the Universities of Bolzano and Klagenfurt respectively: one for the choice of AIR CONDITIONING devices and one for those of HOME AUTOMATION. While the DEMONSTRATORS mentioned above are intended to promote knowledge to improve the B2B activities of SMEs, the two thematic CONFIGURATORS will have the function of promoting B2C contacts between the manufacturing SMEs of the Clusters and the end users through the platform. The platform will be developed in three languages: English-Italian-German and will contain, in addition to general information relating to the MC 4.0 world: a) promotional initiatives; b) orientation products towards MC 4.0 applications, such as those described above, c) descriptive databases of the companies in the clusters connected to the DEA CENTER, d) training activities to acquire MC 4.0 skills, e) paths for the recognition of specific technical skills -managerials of USER INTERFACE EXPERT and CONFIGURATION MANAGER; f) lists of researchers and professionals with referenced MC 4.0 skills. For an adequate management of the platform, even after the end of the project, measures for a sustainable organizational-functional platform model will be shared between the partners. For this purpose, a PROTOCOL OF INTENT BETWEEN THE PARTNERS will be signed, aimed at assuming mutual and lasting commitments for its maintenance over time.

WP6 | Enlargement and enhancement of the MC 4.0 DEA CENTER network

Before proceeding with the MC 4.0 DEA CENTER replication plan, the evaluation of the DEA CENTER structure and of the actions undertaken is commissioned by LP for the DEA CENTER in Vicenza and by PP7 for the one in Klagenfurt, each to a third party, obtain a proposal for an ACTIVITY PLAN for SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT. The product will be a REPORT ON THE FUNCTIONING of the DEA CENTER, accompanied by a list of activities to be prioritized and recommendations for achieving the sustainability objectives. The partners, in charge of the two DEA CENTERS in Vicenza and Klagenfurt, formalize the presence of the two PMI CLUSTERS, built around the two DEA CENTERS, with the joint issuance of an MC 4.0 CLUSTER OPERATION CHARTER and promote the launch of initiatives supply chain and business combinations for the implementation of MC 4.0 projects, also supported by regional structural funds (contribution from AP3). The clusters are managed by DEA CENTER staff and the interrelationships between the cluster members are echoed on the MC 4.0 platform. Based on these results, LP activates and coordinates a plan for the transfer of technical and organizational skills for the creation of a DEA CENTER in Bolzano (with IDM), in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia-PN (with AP4) and in Villach (with AP1). It is LP’s responsibility with the collaboration of PP1, PP2, PP3, PP5 and PP7 to coordinate the involvement of AP1, AP4 and IDM and support them in the presentation of the DEA CENTER model to their stakeholders. Three FEASIBILITY STUDIES are planned for the launch of the additional 3 DEA CENTERS (in BZ, PN and Villach). With the end of the project, the partners, through a MEMORANDUM of UNDERSTANDING (MOU), formalize the birth of a NETWORK of SKILLS FOR MC 4.0 APPLICATIONS, based on the DEA CENTER and the 3 universities and open to other networks and Mass Customization stakeholders. and tailoring, industry 4.0 and Smart living. A space is reserved for the Network in the MC 4.0 platform.