The event for the future of IT/OT
The digital world of IT and the real world of operational technology – how can we ideally connect people, technologies and data in the future? We are inviting experts from leading companies in Germany to share their visions and experiences with us.
In addition to presentations and panel discussions, the IT/OT Convergence Summit 2024 also offers an evening event and, of course, space for successful networking. You will also gain an exclusive insight into the results of a brand new survey on IT/OT convergence and have the opportunity to contribute to its further development.
Participants at the event come from the following sectors Automotive, machinery and plant engineering, food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and plastics, energy and infrastructure.
The language of the summit is English.










AGENDA
08:00 – 08:45 Uhr | Registration |
08:45 – 09:15 Uhr | Henriette Frädrich: Opening moderation |
09:15- 10:00 Uhr | Prof. Dr.-Ing Ahmad-Reza Sadeghi | TU-Darmstadt: Securing the Utopian Dystopia: Challenges of AI, OT, and IT Integration in Cyber-Physical Systems |
10:00 – 10:45 Uhr | Dr. Federico Antonello | ESA: On the Development of Digital Twins for Spacecraft Operations: European Space Operation Centre (ESOC) Perspectives. |
10:45 – 11:00 Uhr | Break |
11:00 – 11:30 Uhr | Mirko Zipfel & Aron Gaden | Zeiss: Building Service Bus – trying to abstract the OT side of a (complex) building for simpler integration into the IT side at Zeiss |
11:30 – 12:15 Uhr | Ingo Sawilla | Trumpf: Manufacturing-X, Booster der IT/OT Konvergenz |
12:15 – 13:30 Uhr | Lunch break and networking |
13:30 – 14:30 Uhr | Frank Polky | Mars: A journey into the IT/OT world at Mars |
14:30 – 15:00 Uhr | Coffee break and networking |
15:00 – 16:00 Uhr | Stefan Hoppe | OPC Foundation: Key factors for successful IT/OT solutions in cross-domain industries |
16:00 – 16:30 Uhr | Dr. Christian Kubik | AONIC: Potentials and challenges of AI applications in the context of OT production environments – a practical use case |
16:30 – 17:00 Uhr | Henriette Frädrich: Closing and summary session |
17:00 Uhr | Networking and Come together Barbecue |
9:30 | Breakfast and coffee |
10:30 – 12:30 | Guided tour of the European Space Agency (ESA / ESOC) in Darmstadt |
Wednesday 18.09.2024
08:00 – 08:45 | Registration |
08:45 – 09:15 | Henriette Frädrich: Opening moderation |
09:15- 10:00 | Prof. Dr.-Ing Ahmad-Reza Sadeghi | TU-Darmstadt: Research in cyber security for critical infrastructure |
10:00 – 10:45 | Dr. Federico Antonello | ESA: On the Development of Digital Twins for Spacecraft Operations: European Space Operation Centre (ESOC) Perspectives. |
10:45 – 11:00 | Break |
11:00 – 11:30 | Mirko Zipfel & Aron Gaden | Zeiss: Building Service Bus – trying to abstract the OT side of a (complex) building for simpler integration into the IT side at Zeiss |
11:30 – 12:15 | Ingo Sawilla | Trumpf: Manufacturing-X, Booster der IT/OT Konvergenz |
12:15 – 13:30 | Lunch break and networking |
13:30 – 14:30 | Frank Polky | Mars: A journey into the IT/OT world at Mars |
14:30 – 15:00 | Coffee break and networking |
15:00 – 16:00 | Stefan Hoppe | OPC Foundation: Key factors for successful IT/OT solutions in cross-domain industries |
16:00 – 16:30 | Dr. Christian Kubik | AONIC: Potentials and challenges of AI applications in the context of OT production environments – a practical use case |
16:30 – 17:00 | Henriette Frädrich: Closing and summary session |
17:00 | Networking and Come together Barbecue with live music |
Thursday 19.09.2024
9:30 | Breakfast and coffee |
10:30 – 12:30 | Guided tour of the European Space Agency (ESA / ESOC) in Darmstadt |
ACCOMPANYING EVENT

European Space Agency – Guided Tour
The tour includes a short introductory film and a visit to ESOC’s operational facilities, such as the Main Control Room (MCR).
Participants can also take a look at the Rosetta engineering model and other mission-specific control rooms.


Evening programme
Our barbecue after the presentations on the first day (18.09.24) offers a great opportunity to process the day’s findings together. What could be nicer than getting freshly grilled food and tasty, creative side dishes straight onto your plate on a warm summer evening and rounding off the evening with the beautiful accompaniment of the live band Reno Meno?
SPEAKER

Professor of Computer Science at the TU Darmstadt

Ingo Sawilla
Head of Manufacturing-X, TRUMPF
Head of Manufacturing-X, international implementation of the data room initiatives.
Project partner Catena-X, consortium leader XForge, Manufacturing-X and Factory-X initiator and on various advisory boards as Coordinator Datagovernance+Datasecurity. Member of the Standardisation Council 4.0, author of various publications.

President of OPC Foundation
Stefan Hoppe is the OPC Foundation President since end 2018 coordinating the OPC expansion into the Internet of Things & Industrie4.0. Stefan has been the Global Vice President since 2014 and the President of the OPC Europe organization since 2010 being the catalyst for initiating liaisons with other industrial consortiums that has resulted in OPC working groups developing companion specifications for the organizations respective information models. Stefan Hoppe studied electrical engineering at the Technical University of Dortmund, Germany. Since 1995 he has worked for BECKHOFF Automation, starting as a software developer later as a lead Product Manager with focus on PC based Automation, connectivity and embedded software products.

Frank Polky
Director OT Security, Mars
Frank started his career in OT technology many years ago, starting from the sensor level up to PLC´s and HMI technology.
He was involved in several engineering activities around the globe building new lines and factories as well as system and technology standardization and optimization workstreams.
Holding an Engineering degree in OT&IT technology and more than 20 experience in FMCG / CPG business he is now acting as the Director OT security for MARS incorporate. Working with a powerful team he is supporting all factories globally to help them securing operations.

Federico Antonello
System and Applications Architect at the European Space Agency (ESA) in the European Space Operation Centre (ESOC)
Federico is a System and Applications Architect at ESA, leading activities on Digital Twins for spacecraft operations, advanced simulations, computational and AI methods, automation, and mission preparations.
Federico’s professional background includes roles at renowned institutions such as CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His research contributions have earned him prestigious awards, such as the George Apostolakis Fellowship from the International Association for Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Management (IAPSAM), the Roberto Rocca fellowship, and the Outstanding Postdoctoral Research Award from the MIT Nuclear Science and Engineering Department.

Mirko Zipfel
Carl Zeiss AG
- 2018-01 onwards: Technical Architect at Carl Zeiss AG, Corporate IT incl. BSB
- 2012-02 – 2017-12: Software Developer at Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH, focus on data handling and material transport (embedded robotics)

Since 2013, Henriette Frädrich has been delivering inspiring, moving, and humorous talks on various topics and questions that not only encourage reflection but also foster rethinking, action, and implementation. For this, she is regularly booked by companies of all sizes and industries, including internationally. She also frequently moderates conferences and events on diverse topics across various industries.
As an author, Henriette Frädrich has written several books of her own on various genres and topics, and has also contributed as a ghostwriter and co-author to six books by renowned coaches and entrepreneurs. Additionally, she regularly publishes texts on various topics in her blog. From 2021 to 2022, she was a columnist for the magazine „Courage.“

Grischa Jacobs
Founder & CEO, AONIC
Grischa has been an entrepreneur and digitalisation expert for over 15 years. He has been a co-founder of AONIC GmbH since 2012 and is primarily involved in consulting in the field of digital transformation and innovation strategies.
Previously, Grischa worked as a researcher for high-performance computing and machine learning at the Technical University of Darmstadt and at Microsoft Deutschland.

Dr. Christian Kubik
Consultant, AONIC
– Expert for AI applications in the manufacturing sector
– Actually come from a classic background in the field of production technology or ‘cold mechanical engineering’
– Interest in the topic of AI / data science arose during my doctorate -> recognised potential in the production sector
– Hence the PhD topic ‘Reliability of machine learning in production processes’
– I once started with an apprenticeship as a carpenter and have therefore always maintained an interest in practical implementation in the technical field.
Topics of the summit
Change
What is the target picture of cooperation between IT, OT, production and information security?
IIoT Daten
How can we gain valuable information from production data? What opportunities do digital twins and AI offer?
Cyber Security
From BCM to OT security: Which process model promises security and enables innovation?
Governance
How do we manage the organisational changes that go hand in hand with the convergence of IT and OT?
Goals and benefits of the Summit
We really get to the bottom of the issues
The presentations by the experts and the topics of the panel discussion will cover a wide range of current IT/OT topics such as service design, governance and cyber security.
Identify and solve challenges and problems
The various challenges offer the opportunity to reflect on one's own weaknesses, but also to utilise experience and newly acquired knowledge.
First insights into the brand new IT/OT Survey 2024
Be one of the first to find out what's on the industry's mind and take part in version 2.0 of the survey yourself!
Exchange of experience from different sectors
We offer you the ideal opportunity to exchange ideas with experts and other interested parties.
Relaxed atmosphere in well-located surroundings
AONIC's central office near Darmstadt's main railway station with spacious premises and the cool evening location round off the Summit perfectly.
No advertising event, no intrusive sponsors
There are no advertising stands or salespeople chasing customers here, just an honest exchange of knowledge on one of the most exciting topics of 2024.
Summit Survey
IT/OT Convergence
Take part now in our annual, anonymous survey on IT/OT convergence. The published results will enable you to benchmark your company against the competition.

Register for free
Participation by employees from consultancies and software companies is excluded.
Venue

AONIC Office - Darmstadt
Marie-Curie-Str 1, 64293 Darmstadt
5. Obergeschoss
Hotels

MARITIM HOTEL DARMSTADT
Rheinstraße 105, 64295 Darmstadt
+49 6151 878-0
info.dar@maritim.de
10 min entfernt

Welcome Hotel Darmstadt
Karolinenplatz 4, 64289 Darmstadt
+49-6151-3914-0
dar.info@welcome-hotels.com
20 min entfernt
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