May 7, 2025 was a special date: it marked "Earth Overshoot Day", the day on which Switzerland consumes more renewable resources than the earth can reproduce. In other words, we are now living "on credit". There could have been a more symbolic date for this year's Future Leadership Forum with the presentation of the Swiss Ethics Award 2025.

Making ethical behavior in business visible

The Swiss Ethics Award recognizes ethical projects in business. The focus is on outstanding achievements by organizations and companies that assume responsibility in a special way and are committed to sustainable and value-oriented corporate management. According to Werner von Allmen and Ruth Buholzer from the Swiss Excellence Forum, who founded the award in 2005, the aim of the award is to make ethical business practices visible.

This year, a six-member jury headed by Dr. Christoph Weber-Berg, business ethicist and President of the Reformed Church of Aargau, evaluated five projects from different industries. The nominees for the Swiss Ethics Award 2025 were 1001 Organic, E. Schellenberg Textildruck AG, Lonza Group AG, Max Felchlin AG and mymyio GmbH. It was a very close call this time, as Christoph Weber-Berg revealed at the award ceremony. The five projects were able to show that there are many ways to put ethics and sustainability into business practice without having to sacrifice profit. And last but not least, they all make a contribution to delaying Earth Overshoot Day in the future.

Award for Max Felchlin AG

In the end, Max Felchlin AG, a leading supplier of premium chocolate and cocoa products, came out on top. The company was presented with the Swiss Ethics Award 2025 for its "Healthcare in the cocoa origin" project. With this commitment, Felchlin is setting new standards in sustainable and social corporate responsibility and demonstrating in exemplary fashion how ethical action and economic success can be reconciled.

Felchlin's commitment provides cocoa producers and their families with access to basic medical care. Since 2021, targeted initiatives have been launched in Ghana, Ecuador, Venezuela and Madagascar, including the introduction of health insurance, the assumption of treatment costs and the provision of medical resources. Close cooperation with local partners and healthcare facilities is creating sustainable structures that effectively combat poverty and child labor, sustainably improve health and quality of life, increase productivity and income and thus secure the livelihoods of cocoa farmers in the long term.

Decisive contribution to combating poverty

The project addresses a decisive lever for improving the quality of life and securing the livelihoods of people at the beginning of the Felchlin supply chain. Felchlin thus makes a significant contribution to combating poverty in the regions of origin of its raw materials and consistently places the well-being of the people at the center of its actions. The jury particularly appreciated the remarkable scope of the project in view of the size of the company - a clear sign of the seriousness and consistency of the commitment. Felchlin thus provides exemplary proof of how corporate success and social responsibility can go hand in hand. The project is also transferable to other supply chains in countries of the global South and makes Felchlin a role model for companies in a wide range of sectors. These aspects were decisive for the jury in awarding Max Felchlin AG the Swiss Ethics Award 2025.

Further information: Swiss Excellence Forum

The FM Monitor has now been launched for the second time after 2023 due to the particularly positive response. The professional associations in Switzerland and Austria are also involved in the FM Monitor 2025. The results here therefore already reflect the DACH region in the management of facility services.

According to 63% of users and 55% of service providers, the strategic responsibility of facility management within the corporate organization is also increasing. "Facility management is becoming a central component of corporate strategy that makes a significant contribution to value creation," says Dirk Otto, President of RealFM. "Companies are increasingly recognizing that efficient and sustainable provision and management of their properties not only reduces costs, but also makes a significant contribution to achieving corporate and climate protection goals."

Increasing customer satisfaction with facility services

Just under half (48%) of users are (somewhat to completely) satisfied with the services provided by their facility service provider, as the joint study by PwC and the industry associations RealFM, SVIT FM Switzerland and Facility Management Austria (FMA) shows. The level of satisfaction is highest in the public sector (60%). The users surveyed in Austria (67%) and Switzerland (60%) were significantly more satisfied than users in Germany (42 %). "Stability in service quality and long-term contractual relationships play a key role in customer satisfaction," explains David Rouven Möcker, Partner and Head of Real Estate Consulting & Transformation at PwC Germany. "This stability must also be maintained in the future, as the industry is characterized by high fluctuation."

Digitization remains top trend

For 62% users and service providers, the introduction of IT hardware and software as well as the implementation of digitalized processes is a top priority in order to increase their own efficiency, save costs and ensure data protection. Digitization is at the top of the industry agenda, especially in Germany (62%) and Switzerland (63%). In addition, new hybrid working environments with flexible room design and digital solutions are currently bringing about changes in facility management (40%).

The challenge of staff shortages

The biggest challenges cited by 81% of service providers and 76% of users are staff shortages and a lack of qualifications. "Shortages of qualified personnel restrict the industry's growth opportunities and increase recruitment costs. This leads to competitive disadvantages and inhibits the innovative strength and professionalization of the industry," explains PwC partner David Rouven Möcker. In Germany (78%) and Switzerland (84%) in particular, staff shortages are cited as the biggest challenge.

Sustainability and the fulfillment of ESG criteria are a major challenge for 72%. "This involves high initial investments and complex supply chain management," says Christian Hofmann, President of SVIT FM Switzerland. "The successful implementation of ESG strategies in the industry requires clear measurability of sustainability-related key figures, the targeted expansion of internal capacities and strategic budget planning," emphasizes Doris Bele, CEO of Facility Management Austria.

No preference for a specific award model

A good 59% of users prefer bundled and integrated awards per trade, while a further 28% prefer individual awards. For Germany, the study forecasts that integrated procurement models will grow by 24% to USD 8 billion by 2027, significantly more than bundled procurement models (up 22% to USD 19 billion) or individual awards (up 14% to USD 20 billion). The procurement of facility services usually takes less than six months. In addition, significant price increases are expected for all facility services: Prices for technical and infrastructural facility services in particular are likely to increase by more than 10% in some cases.

AI use in facility services still in its infancy

According to the study, the level of digitalization in facility management is still low. However, the use of innovative technologies in facility management (FMTech) and cooperation with FMTech providers can contribute to more effective and sustainable facility management. "The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) will become a key driver for the digitalization and optimization of corporate real estate and facility management processes," says Kai Ukena, PwC Real Estate Consulting, Senior Manager.

However, although artificial intelligence offers opportunities for cost reductions, more efficient decision-making and more precise determination of requirements, it has hardly been used in the facility services sector to date: Only 2% of respondents regularly use AI solutions in the procurement of facility services and the preparation of tenders, and almost two thirds (65%) do not use AI in this area at all. 61% of users do not work with FMTech companies. Among service providers, this figure is slightly less than a third.

Source: SVIT FM Switzerland

Mobile working means being able to access important company resources at any time and from any location. Such a working environment automatically brings with it a new threat situation: traditional security measures reach their limits when network perimeters become more permeable and numerous new devices are vulnerable. Companies must therefore invest in technologies such as modern endpoint security solutions, zero-trust architectures, resilient cloud strategies, comprehensive contingency plans and AI-based security solutions in order to arm themselves against the ever-growing cyber threats.

• Endpoint security in a distributed landscape. As employees access company resources from different locations and devices, endpoint protection is a crucial aspect of cyber security. Companies need modern endpoint security solutions to protect all devices connected to the company network and close open attack surfaces for cyber criminals. Special detection and response systems help them to identify and mitigate threats across various endpoints. Regular software updates, patch management and device encryption are further key components of a comprehensive security strategy. 
• Zero-trust architecture for more cyber security. The traditional approach of trusting entities within the corporate network has proven to be outdated in the face of today's cyber threats. Zero trust architecture assumes that every user and every device inside or outside the corporate network is a security risk. Implementing a zero trust model includes strict access controls, continuous monitoring and multi-factor authentication. By applying a least-privilege approach, organizations can limit user access to only the resources required for their role, minimizing the potential impact of a security breach. 
• Cloud security in a flexible working environment. The cloud offers scalability and flexibility, which are essential for mobile working with its communication and collaboration requirements. When employees use cloud services from a wide variety of locations and devices, the underlying infrastructure must be protected accordingly. This includes implementing an identity and access management solution to control and regulate who can access what. Encryption of data both in transit and at rest, regular security checks and compliance monitoring are essential to further improve your own resilience to threats in the cloud. 
• Robust emergency response plan. No company is immune to cyber threats. Even if many still hope to get all their data back in the event of a successful attack, the reality is often different: The stolen information is not released even after a ransom is paid. This makes a comprehensive response plan with clear processes, roles and responsibilities all the more important. This is the only way for companies to react appropriately in the event of a security incident - from identification, containment and removal to data recovery and learning from the incident. Regular testing of the response plan and appropriate adjustments ensure its effectiveness. At the same time, companies must develop comprehensive strategies to maintain important business processes in the event of a cyberattack in order to minimize downtime and financial losses.  
• AI for an innovative and safe working environment. Artificial intelligence is an effective tool for strengthening cyber defense. It can detect and respond to anomalies almost in real time. By continuously monitoring network activity, attacks can be isolated at an early stage and damage caused by further propagation can be prevented. At the same time, authorizations can be adjusted on the basis of risk assessments. AI-based computers that already have this technology integrated take protection against cyber criminals to a new level, as all the necessary functions are available locally without sensitive data having to leave the computer. 

"The future of work is ultra-mobile - but without a holistic approach to security that covers all touchpoints within the IT environment, this future is only seemingly secure. Companies need to invest in technologies that not only enable innovation, but also detect and defend against cyber threats in real time," explains Roland Kunz, Principal Systems Engineer for Emerging Technologies in EMEA at Dell Technologies. "It's also important to remember that security is not a static state, but an ongoing process - especially in a world where mobile working opens up new avenues and brings challenges."

Source and further information: Dell Technologies

The Swiss Blockchain Federation, the Crypto Valley Association and the Bitcoin Association Switzerland have jointly published a manifesto containing a comprehensive 12-point program to strengthen Switzerland as a blockchain location. The document analyzes the current situation as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the Swiss financial center and derives action points and recommendations for politics, administration and industry. The aim is to sustainably secure and expand Switzerland's competitiveness and innovative strength in the blockchain and fintech sector.

Future-oriented strategy

In recent years, Switzerland has established itself as a leading location for blockchain technology - thanks to a progressive regulatory framework, an innovation-friendly attitude on the part of the authorities and close cooperation between politics and industry. But this lead is under threat: Countries in Asia and the Middle East, are rapidly catching up and offering increasingly attractive conditions for blockchain companies; the Trump administration's sharp change in policy is acting as a beacon. At the same time, lengthy processes, regulatory uncertainties and new international requirements are perceived as obstacles in Switzerland.

In order to counteract this trend and make Switzerland fit for the future, a joint and coordinated approach is necessary, according to the stakeholders mentioned at the beginning. The manifesto's 12-point program addresses precisely this issue and offers concrete measures to promote innovation and competitiveness and remove regulatory hurdles.

12 Recommendations and demands for politicians, administration and industry

The manifesto formulates twelve concrete fields of action that serve as the basis for a strong and future-oriented blockchain industry in Switzerland:

1. Strengthen innovation-friendly framework conditionsFINMA should reinstate the promotion of innovation as a strategic objective and report on progress.
2. Technology-neutral and proportionate regulationRequirements for crypto service providers and stablecoins must be differentiated and made competitive.
3. Binding deadlines for FINMA authorization proceduresProcedures should be clearly structured and completed within six months.
4. Promoting digital moneyStablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are intended to create the basis for a digital economy.
5. Use of technology for complianceInnovative technologies are designed to make compliance processes more efficient and cost-effective.
6. Strengthening self-regulationSelf-regulatory organizations (SROs) are to be given more scope for action.
7. Transparent supervisory practiceFINMA should make its supervisory practice more open and strengthen dialog with the sector.
8. Removing technical barriers to investment: Barriers to foreign investment are to be identified and reduced.
9. More precise regulationVague standards are to be fleshed out through dialog between the authorities and industry.
10. Critically examine international standardsThe adoption of international standards into Swiss law must serve the interests of the location.
11. Encouraging industry to take the initiativeThe industry should develop standards and proactively address weaknesses.
12. Strengthening financing for start-ups and SMEsState support programs and tax incentives are to be expanded.

The Swiss Blockchain Federation, the Crypto Valley Association and the Bitcoin Association Switzerland have initiated this manifesto in order to position Switzerland as a leading blockchain location in the long term. The implementation of the objectives will be regularly reviewed and adjusted as necessary with the aim of implementing concrete measures. Other organizations interested in strengthening Switzerland as a blockchain location are also welcome to join the initiative.

Source and further information

SRC was one of the first testing laboratories to be notified for the new EUCC scheme. SRC Security Research & Consulting GmbH, based in Bonn, is a leading testing and consulting company for IT security and new technologies. "The notification is an important milestone for us," says Ralf Schulze, Division Manager at SRC. "It confirms the high quality of our work and ensures that we can also provide our customers with comprehensive support in the new European certification system."

From national to European cybersecurity scheme

SRC has been successfully carrying out evaluations of IT security products in the German Common Criteria scheme under the supervision of the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) since 2002. With the introduction of the EUCC scheme, the national Common Criteria schemes are gradually being replaced by a standardized European scheme. Manufacturers of IT security products that require Common Criteria certification can therefore continue to rely on SRC's many years of experience and expertise. "Our customers and partners will benefit from a smooth transition to the new EUCC scheme," emphasizes Schulze. "Thanks to our early notification, we can continue to guarantee the highest level of safety and continuity in the evaluation of their products."

Benefits and function of the EUCC scheme

The European Common Criteria Based Cybersecurity Certification Scheme (EUCC) is the new European certification system for the security of IT products. It is based on the internationally recognized Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408) and serves to harmonize IT security certifications within the EU. The aim is to create uniform standards for the evaluation and certification of products in order to strengthen cyber security and increase trust in digital technologies.

Manufacturers of IT security products, such as firewalls, smartcards or healthcare products, use the EUCC certification to prove the conformity of their products with high security standards - a requirement that is increasingly crucial for market access in Europe and beyond. "The EUCC scheme will create the basis for a uniform European level of trust in IT security products," explains Schulze. "Such certification will be an indispensable competitive advantage in the future, especially for internationally active manufacturers."

Outlook: Certification body for EUCC substantial in preparation

In addition to evaluation, SRC will also offer certification services under the EUCC scheme for the "substantial" assurance level in the near future. The accreditation and authorization of the certification body required for this are already at an advanced stage. "Our aim is to offer our customers a comprehensive range of services from a single source," explains Schulze. "With the future expansion to include certification services, we will be able to accompany and optimally support the entire EUCC certification process."

Source and further information: https://www.src-gmbh.de

With the recently announced extension of the maintenance period for SAP ECC until 2033, the pressure to switch to S/4HANA as quickly as possible appears to have eased - but appearances are deceptive. Patrick Sommer, Managing Director of the consulting firm CNT Management Consulting in Switzerland, explains why there is an urgent need for action and what advantages Swiss companies will benefit from after the system change. 

Standard maintenance expires in 2027

According to a KPMG study from 2024, over 70 percent of the Swiss companies surveyed are not yet using S/4HANA productively: a quarter have already migrated, a third are in the process of doing so and 28 percent are planning to switch - although 15 percent have no plans to migrate at present[1]. Now - following customer demands to extend the deadline to the end of 2027 - support for SAP ECC is being extended. "This gives companies with large SAP landscapes in particular more time - but the deadline extension is subject to conditions. A prompt switch to S/4HANA remains the best solution," Patrick Sommer from CNT Management Consulting is convinced. This is because standard maintenance for older ERP systems still ends in 2027, with the more expensive Extended Maintenance not until 2030. "An extension until 2033 only applies to SAP ECC. The systems must run on a HANA database; other databases are not supported. The old Java stack cannot be transferred either," Sommer continues. The new offer is also subject to conditions: Companies must make a long-term commitment to SAP and decide to switch to RISE with SAP. There is also the threat of an extended fee from 2031 to 2033. "In the short term, it may seem sensible to keep old systems running. But in the long term, it costs companies more time, money and innovative strength," the Managing Director is convinced.

The end is approaching - what the first steps are now

With the extension, the software group is primarily creating a transition period for large companies with a complex system landscape. For Swiss companies that work with a single SAP system, a changeover before 2030 should be feasible, according to Sommer. As a first step, he advises communicating the urgency of the migration within the company in order to create awareness. "Companies should also internalize the benefits of S/4HANA, such as real-time data and the optimization and automation of business processes. It also requires not only a clear strategy that takes into account the company's business objectives, but also a comprehensive analysis of the current SAP system landscape," says Sommer. He recommends archiving or deleting data that is no longer required and improving data quality to ensure a smooth migration. The Managing Director comments on the time required: "Generally speaking, the changeover takes between 12 and 36 months, although smaller companies may be able to complete it in up to 18 months. More complex systems in large companies, on the other hand, tend to take up to 36 months." It is important to note that the preparation phase, in which the strategy and inventory are carried out, makes up a significant part of this overall schedule.

Why act now if there is supposedly still time?

Looking at the deadlines, the need for action for Swiss companies does not appear to be particularly great at present, as the KPMG survey also shows. However, Sommer warns: "Even if it may seem sensible in the short term, switching to new systems is always the better decision in the long term. Because if you decide on a modern solution in good time, you secure your investment, can use new technologies and benefit from greater automation and more efficient processes." S/4HANA, which is based on the SAP HANA in-memory database, enables lightning-fast data processing. This allows companies to access important information in real time and make informed decisions. Intelligent technologies such as AI, machine learning and IoT make it possible to make predictions and develop new business models. "The optimization and automation of business processes through S/4HANA also leads to greater efficiency, lower costs and improved customer satisfaction," Sommer continues.

Cloud strategy polarizes - recommendations must be made individually

However, according to a DSAG survey, the fact that SAP recommends the cloud variant for S/4HANA is not well received by Swiss companies. Just under a quarter rate this negatively, while 13 percent of respondents rate it positively[2]. "The question of the optimal strategy - whether cloud or on-premise - is complex and depends heavily on the individual needs and priorities of a company. S/4HANA Public Cloud is suitable for companies that prefer a standardized solution, want to act faster and focus on their core business. The S/4HANA private cloud or on-premise variant, on the other hand, is suitable for more complex business processes, strict compliance requirements and a high need for individualization, for example in production," explains Sommer. There is therefore no blanket recommendation - according to the Managing Director, the decision should be based on a thorough analysis of the requirements. CNT supports Swiss companies in gaining clarity about their migration path at an early stage - be it to the cloud or on-premise. Sommer concludes: "The switch to S/4HANA is more than just a technical update. It is an opportunity for companies to optimize their processes, increase their competitiveness and prepare for the digital future."

[1] https://assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmgsites/ch/pdf/kpmg-studie-wie-gehen-schweizer-unternehmen-mit-der-umstellung-um.pdf.coredownload.inline.pdf

[2] https://dsag.de/presse/dsag-jahreskongress-2024-schweizer-anwender-sehen-potenziale-von-ki-und-saps-cloud-losungen/

Source and further information: CNT Management Consulting

The major power outage on the Iberian Peninsula has shown that our digital world is fragile. Despite the power outage, Equinix's data centers in Spain and Portugal were fully operational at all times. If the power supply is interrupted by the utility company, the emergency power systems switch on and continue to carry the loads until the power supply is restored.

Data centers are critical infrastructures

Data centers have become just as important to society as, for example, water treatment plants or power stations. It is gratifying to see that governments around the world not only recognize this fact, but also act accordingly, such as in Switzerland, where data centers are classified as critical infrastructure.

However, it is important to recognize that data centers are only one part of the digital infrastructure equation and do not function as islands of data. Our digital world is inherently interconnected, and many of the applications we rely on are not run from a single data center. They require many distributed data centers at the digital edge, close to data sources and end users, and these data centers need to be interconnected.

Investments in individual data centers are important, but they are not enough. We also need a robust network infrastructure to enable our networked society. This network infrastructure is just as important as the data centers themselves, because without it we would not be able to fully exploit the potential of these data centers.  

Data centers can enable the smart age, but not without connectivity

We are living at the beginning of a new era: the intelligent age (the Intelligent Age), which is characterized by digital technology and its massive influence on society. To better understand this change, we can look back at a similar period in history: the industrial revolution.

The industrial revolution was characterized by the emergence of new factories, which led to an enormous increase in productivity, but factories alone were not enough. Manufacturers needed a global shipping network to get the raw materials to the factories and the finished products to the markets. Otherwise, factories on one continent would be idle and warehouses on another would be overflowing.

Today's data centers play a similar role. Just like these factories, data centers would not be able to function without a constant stream of raw materials - in this case, data. Instead of ships and ports, they rely on a global network infrastructure to transfer data from a variety of sources, including end users, IoT devices and other data centers.

High-performance data centers are networked data centers

Global network connectivity is part of what makes real high-performance Data Center makes up. In contrast, on-premises data centers are often isolated. These conventional data centers were built for a different era, long before the advent of data-intensive applications like AI. Companies that continue to rely on these data centers may struggle to reach ecosystem partners such as cloud and network service providers. They will have to fend for themselves in a complex and ever-changing digital world.

High-performance colocation data centers provide access to ecosystem services that make life easier, whether it's the flexibility and scalability of a multi-cloud infrastructure or the global reach and reliability of an extensive portfolio of network service providers. These data centers also offer scalable, private Interconnection servicesthat enable companies to easily connect with their ecosystem partners and move their data to where it is needed.

Many companies are also faced with the challenge of new data sovereignty requirements. They have data sets that need to remain in their country of origin and therefore require data centers in these countries. The traditional "hub-and-spoke" model of digital infrastructure, where all data is consolidated in data centers in a few central locations, no longer works in this new reality. Instead, companies need many data centers in many locations that are all interconnected. This provides the flexibility to store certain data sets within certain boundaries, while other data sets can be moved freely around the world.

The introduction of AI underlines the importance of a distributed digital infrastructure

The need for distributed data centers is not new, but the emergence of advanced AI use cases in recent years has underscored this need.

AI applications are highly distributed by nature. AI training workloads and AI inference workloads have different infrastructure requirements and are therefore best served by different data centers at different locations supported. These various data centers rely on a robust network infrastructure to ensure a free flow of data between the processing locations.

Most IT managers don't need to think about AI training infrastructure on a regular basis, especially as many companies purchase models from a service provider rather than training their own. The provision of a Edge infrastructure for AI inference is, however, a prerequisite for any company that wants to be successful with AI.

This inference is not a one-off process either: as new data is constantly emerging, it needs to be performed consistently over time. This ongoing AI inference requires a network infrastructure that simply works when and how it should. Therefore, organizations need access to a reliable, resilient network infrastructure on a global scale to support their AI initiatives.

Access to a global interconnection platform

The idea that networks are critical infrastructure is nothing new to us at Equinix. We have continually invested to ensure that we can provide our customers with the reliable connectivity they need to succeed in a changing digital world. Our dedicated interconnection solutions allow our customers to bypass the public internet with its performance and privacy issues. Instead, they can opt for a hybrid network model that combines physical Equinix Cross Connects as well as virtual networks with Equinix Fabric includes. This helps them to harmonize their requirements in terms of performance, safety, cost efficiency and flexibility.

Author: Roger Semprini is Managing Director Switzerland of the data center operator Equinix.

In our digital era, brands are omnipresent. Consumers are constantly inundated with targeted content strategies, influencer marketing and data-based campaigns. Despite these modern methods, one question remains crucial: does the product deliver what the marketing promises? After all, only those who convince customers in the long term can retain them in the long term. Seals such as the SIQT quality ranking provide a valuable orientation framework for consumers in the brand jungle. Every year, SIQT, the Swiss Institute for Quality Testing, investigates which manufacturer brands are particularly popular in Switzerland. In the fifth edition of the study series "Swiss Brand of the Year 2024/25 - Swiss Brand Monitor", over 1,200 brands from 84 product segments were put to the test. More than 235,000 customer opinions were included in the evaluation.

RAUSCH in 1st place in the "Hair Care" product segment

RAUSCH wins the award for the best price-performance ratio in the "Hair Care" product segment, which received 3,198 reviews. This proves that consumers appreciate the high quality of the products and are prepared to dig a little deeper into their pockets than for competitor products. RAUSCH products are known for their high-quality ingredients and high proportion of plant extracts. The company also keeps the entire value chain in Switzerland, in Kreuzlingen in the canton of Thurgau. In addition to the price/performance seal, RAUSCH also wins two other awards, namely for "Outstanding Customer Satisfaction" (1st place) and "Outstanding Quality" (1st place). Our background report (available for a fee, published in print issue 3-4/2025) provides an insight into quality management.

Sandra Banholzer, CEO of RAUSCH, is proud of the award. "First place in the Swiss Brand Monitor is confirmation of our commitment to offering the highest levels of customer satisfaction, quality and excellent value for money. These awards are not only an accolade for our 135-year-old family business, but also clear proof that our sustainable and effective product philosophy resonates with consumers."

Seal of quality serves as a guide for consumers

Test seals have a significant influence on purchasing decisions: 81 % of consumers rate products with a seal better, 61 % of new customers use them for orientation and 41 % of existing customers feel confirmed. Companies also benefit: Test seals differentiate products from the competition, strengthen the brand image and promote employee motivation.

Source: Rausch AG Kreuzlingen

As the leading trade fair for quality assurance the Control held annually in the industrial region of Stuttgart. It brings together industry experts and innovators to examine the latest developments in industrial metrology, materials testing and analysis equipment.

Electron microscopy as an analysis tool

At the Thermo Fisher stand, experts from the company will be presenting live demonstrations of the Axia ChemiSEMwhich show how the use of electron microscopy as an analytical tool can transform the quality assurance process. The Axia ChemiSEM integrates EDS directly into the imaging process, enabling real-time acquisition of chemical data without additional analysis steps. This integration is particularly useful for routine quality control, failure analysis and process monitoring where fast and reliable data is essential.

Owning your own Axia ChemiSEM offers further advantages. The user-oriented design of the microscope makes it easy to use, so no extensive training is required. In this way, advanced imaging and elemental analysis can be made available to a larger number of users, making workflows more efficient and reducing operating costs. In addition, site-based SEM improves data security by ensuring complete control over sensitive information. This is particularly important for industries working with proprietary materials or on confidential research projects.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn about the newly introduced Apreo ChemiSEM to speak. The Apreo ChemiSEM, which combines EDS and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to enable the identification of crystal orientations, is a state-of-the-art microscope whose powerful imaging greatly simplifies materials science research and analysis. With advanced software features such as smart frame integration, improved autofocus and an autostigmation function, the Apreo can simplify and speed up workflows. It also provides unprecedented insights for both first-time users and experts. 

Imaging and image interpretation

For high-resolution imaging and the characterization of 3D materials, the Scios 2 DualBeam exceptional sub-surface analytical performance and precise sample preparation, Thermo Fisher announced. This instrument is an ultra-high resolution focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM). Its versatility enables characterization across the entire spectrum of materials, including metals, composites, non-conductive samples and others. This makes it an important instrument in various industries where quality assurance is a top priority.

Finally, visitors can also enjoy the well-known Avizo™ software from Thermo Scientific™, which offers an AI-based image interpretation solution. From images to reports, Avizo software provides a comprehensive, multi-modality digital laboratory for advanced characterization and quality control of 2D/3D materials. The product is suitable for a wide range of applications in areas such as ceramics, metals, composites, additive manufacturing and many more. The Avizo software has been developed with data acquisition from Thermo Scientific systems and workflows in mind and therefore integrates seamlessly with Thermo Scientific SEM, DualBeam, TEM and correlative workflows.

Source and further information: Thermo Fisher Scientific

Quality managers, especially in production and assembly, are familiar with these situations in which spontaneous, flexible AR object inspection via tablet would be desirable. With Twyn 2.4, Visometry provides them with the solution. The latest feature added to the tool is assisted deviation detection: This automatically provides real-time visual feedback; it now shows the discrepancies between a real object and its CAD model even if no elaborate data configuration preceded it. Twyn 2.4 celebrates its premiere at the World's leading trade fair Controlat the Visometry stand 3419 in hall 3.

There, trade visitors can also marvel at the exclusive, road-legal Sigma WR lightweight racing car from the young company Sigma Motor. The core of this racing car is an ultra-stable tubular frame. To visually inspect its numerous welds, struts and mounting points quickly and reliably, Sigma Motor employees rely on the special AR technology from Visometry. It is another example of the many successful applications in the automotive world. Numerous other industries and sectors also benefit from Visometry's head start in AR quality inspection: these range from the railroad industry to agricultural machinery, heavy machinery and shipbuilding to aviation and welding technology.

The Darmstadt-based company Visometry was founded in December 2017 as a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research (IGD). As a young start-up, the 41-strong team combines an innovative spirit with many years of R&D experience and in-depth expertise in AR and image processing as well as their application in industry.

www.visometry.com

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), almost 3 million people worldwide die at work every year - an increase of over 12 percent compared to 2000. Most of these deaths are due to occupational diseases.

Deaths in Switzerland significantly lower compared to the rest of the world

According to statistics, deaths from occupational diseases are also higher than deaths from accidents at work in Switzerland. Between 2019 and 2023, around 218 employees died each year as a result of their work, 153 of these deaths were due to occupational diseases. The proportion of these deaths due to occupational diseases (70%) is well below the global average. It is also worth noting that 90 percent of deaths from occupational diseases in Switzerland are attributable to asbestos.

The culture of prevention: a cornerstone of health and safety in the workplace

On the occasion of World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28, 2025, Suva reminds us that the vital rules and checklists are still part of the basics of accident prevention. At the same time, however, the integration of a strong, evolving prevention culture that is practiced by all stakeholders must be further promoted.
For Suva, this requires six dimensions: Communication, values & rules, leadership, learning, responsibility and operational organization.

In order to master the current challenges in the area of occupational safety, health protection and leisure safety, it is important to integrate this prevention approach into everyday working life. "A strong prevention culture can be recognized by the fact that safe and healthy working is a matter of course for the company and its employees," reminds Heinz Waldmann, occupational safety/health protection expert at Suva.

After all, a strong prevention culture not only helps to significantly reduce accidents and absences, but also helps to improve performance, efficiency, the quality of work and the image and reputation of the company. According to Suva, a culture of prevention is therefore an important investment in the company and its employees.

Further information: Suva

With a new, interactive design of the trade fair platform, which participants can now navigate even more intuitively, the virtual trade fair ConSense EXPO invites you to live presentations, workshops and active networking with other professionals. Industry experts, customer and partner companies share their knowledge in inspiring keynotes and best practices. The digital event is aimed at participants at every level. The event focuses on topics that are of great concern to companies across all industries: artificial intelligence, cyber security and compliance are not only technological but also strategic challenges.

Highlights from the conference program

This is precisely where the EXPO conference program comes in, with presentations by internal and external experts:

• "How to blow an entire IT security budget without attackers noticing," reveals psychologist and hacker Linus Neumann, responsible for red teaming, strategic consulting and incident response at Berlin-based Security Research Labs. Using real cases of damage, he explains how companies can effectively protect themselves against real attacks instead of investing a lot of time and money in security solutions with unclear benefits.
• In his keynote speech "ConSense Features, Versions and Visions", Alexander Künzer from the management of ConSense GmbH will provide exclusive insights into the new software version ConSense 2025.1, showing how AI-based functions provide targeted support where processes are complex and requirements are high.

Other program items revolve around acceptance strategies for IMS, competitive advantages through sustainable management and much more.

New dimension of networking

With the relaunch of the trade fair platform, the 10th ConSense EXPO opens up new ways of digital encounters: chat rooms, 1:1 conversations, spontaneous discussions and virtual meeting rooms promote targeted exchanges and new partnerships. The trade fair experience is complemented by an extensive media library that offers participants access to valuable knowledge for a week after the event.

Interested parties can register for the virtual trade fair register here free of charge.