Last week, the ninth small businesses forum took place in the premises of the Fraunhofer Institute Magdeburg. On this meeting, which is delivered annually by the BVMW (Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft / Federal association of medium-size economy) Saxony-Anhalt, over 70 enterprise representatives were expected to participate in numerous exciting agenda items.

On this day the establishment of many interesting contacts as well as a set of exciting lectures stood on the agenda. With titles such as “digitizing – of course!”, “digitizing for people, not for machines” or “digitizing – (no) fad”, these lectures focused not surprisingly on the big and increasingly important topic of “digitization”. Among others the state secretary of the Ministry of Economics, Science and Digitalization of Saxony-Anhalt, Thomas Wünsch, gave an exciting speech on the opportunities which the federal state offers for small and local businesses.

One top highlight of the event was, that all guests were invited to visit the “Elbedome”, Europe’s largest 3D mixed reality laboratory. Hence, scenarios such as “the digital steel construction paver” or “Magdeburger Hafen harbour” caused excitement.

We at 3DQR are particularly proud of the fact that a scene which was created by us can be admired in this laboratory in the near future. It will be the simulation of a foundry where a new casting system is implemented. This project has been carried out this year in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institut and we are already very excited of how the new virtual reality environment will be received by visitors to the Elbedome.

Another highlight of the day was the presentation of the “Mittelstandspreis 2019”, a prize awarded to the company “3kubik” this year. Its managing director Mark Heyen impressed the audience with an exciting project presentation about the analytical and evolving concept with which the company makes the working methods of companies more efficient and simpler. To learn more about this remarkable methodology, 3DQR spontaneously arranged a meeting with Heyen and his Magdeburg colleague Markus Rinka.

Towards the end of this eventful day a panel discussion took place in which some of the key speakers discussed the challenges but also the possibilities of the digital age. This panel discussion was sovereignly moderated by SAW radio announcer Frank Wiedemann. In summary, the day at the Fraunhofer Institute was a great experience for our young company and we are already very excited to see what perspectives the contacts made will hold in store in the future.