- Main focus: Theoretical introduction to Smart Factory topics
- Teaching material:
- The Basic Package contains slide deck, MES textbook, HYDRA guide and workbook. Screenshots of the software provide practical insight.
- The Advanced Package additionally contains the board game "Smart Factory – The Game" and guest lectures by MPDV experts.
- The Expert Package additionally includes an MPDV Smart Factory Demo illustrating processes and dependencies in the Smart Factory.

MPDV has been cooperating with colleges, universities, and research institutes for many years in order to convey topics related to the Smart Factory to teaching. This commitment aims at combining theory and practice and providing a hands-on approach to Industry 4.0. For this to work, some institutions use MPDV software in learning factories or laboratory environments to give students an insight into modern manufacturing IT. MPDV is also interested in participating in research projects to actively shape the future use of their products.


MPDV@University programs
- Discourses and lectures
- MPDV software packages
- Service: Configurable live system including different features
- Features:
- The software package Smart Factory Basic contains the Manufacturing Integration Platform (MIP) and manufacturing apps (mApps) of the HYDRA X categories Order Management and Resource Management.
- Cooperation partners with the Smart Factory Expansion package can also use the mApps of the HYDRA X categories Material Management and Assembly Management, as well as the Advanced Planning and Scheduling System (APS) FEDRA.
- The software package Smart Factory Expert additionally includes the mApps of the HYDRA X categories Quality Management and Information Management.
- Research projects
Since operational challenges for manufacturing companies are constantly increasing, reliable solutions are needed. MPDV is contributing its broad knowledge as an innovator to research projects on future-oriented topics related to the Smart Factory. For this reason, MPDV participates in the research project FlexPro, for example, that has been running for three years since the fall of 2021. In this project, MPDV and other partners are developing a planning module for knowledge-based workforce planning in manufacturing. During the first project year, the participants have identified twelve factors optimizing production workplaces in a way to relieve the stress on employees. In a next step, the findings will be digitalized in order to use them in a software-based planning solution.
Did you know that there are many ways to finance Industry 4.0 projects via funding? The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) supports research and development projects of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies on the topics of Industry 4.0, Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), and the Internet of Things.
If you are interested in a joint research project, do not hesitate to contact us!
- Main focus: Theoretical introduction to Smart Factory topics
- Teaching material:
- The Basic Package contains slide deck, MES textbook, HYDRA guide and workbook. Screenshots of the software provide practical insight.
- The Advanced Package additionally contains the board game "Smart Factory – The Game" and guest lectures by MPDV experts.
- The Expert Package additionally includes an MPDV Smart Factory Demo illustrating processes and dependencies in the Smart Factory.
- Service: Configurable live system including different features
- Features:
- The software package Smart Factory Basic contains the Manufacturing Integration Platform (MIP) and manufacturing apps (mApps) of the HYDRA X categories Order Management and Resource Management.
- Cooperation partners with the Smart Factory Expansion package can also use the mApps of the HYDRA X categories Material Management and Assembly Management, as well as the Advanced Planning and Scheduling System (APS) FEDRA.
- The software package Smart Factory Expert additionally includes the mApps of the HYDRA X categories Quality Management and Information Management.
Since operational challenges for manufacturing companies are constantly increasing, reliable solutions are needed. MPDV is contributing its broad knowledge as an innovator to research projects on future-oriented topics related to the Smart Factory. For this reason, MPDV participates in the research project FlexPro, for example, that has been running for three years since the fall of 2021. In this project, MPDV and other partners are developing a planning module for knowledge-based workforce planning in manufacturing. During the first project year, the participants have identified twelve factors optimizing production workplaces in a way to relieve the stress on employees. In a next step, the findings will be digitalized in order to use them in a software-based planning solution.
Did you know that there are many ways to finance Industry 4.0 projects via funding? The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) supports research and development projects of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies on the topics of Industry 4.0, Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), and the Internet of Things.
If you are interested in a joint research project, do not hesitate to contact us!
Practical insights: Learning factory at the DHBW Mosbach
The digital factory at the Cooperative State University DHBW Mosbach combines the world of manufacturing and the world of information. The Smart Factory has everything a real factory also has: ERP system, Manufacturing Execution System (MES) HYDRA, and machines in the shop floor. With this hands-on approach, all processes can be vividly conveyed to the students.

MPDV is working on the project "Development of an innovative product line for the creation of the Smart Factory with the inclusion of AI and Big Data as well as through platformization and application of an ecosystem." and is funded by the Research Allowance (BSFZ).
Would you like further information about MPDV@University?
We are happy to assist you!
If you are interested in a cooperation or if you need lecture material, do not hesitate to contact our MPDV@University team.