Watify Launch Event

Digital and advanced technologies are driving powerful economic and societal transformations all around the world, and have the potential to reshape and change the game in all European industries. The future of European economic growth will, therefore, greatly depend on how well European businesses will take up the challenge of technological transformation.

This conference will launch the WATIFY campaign, the core objective of which is to stimulate the digital and technological transformation of European businesses. The event will outline the opportunities offered by technological transformation and advanced technologies – notably Key Enabling Technologies (KETs). It will also investigate the challenges for European businesses and regions to reap the benefits of technological transformation and show how WATIFY will support the uptake of innovative technologies.

Businesses now have access to digital and Key-Enabling Technologies (KETs) that, until only recently, were out of their reach. However, they are now in a better position to benefit enormously from these capabilities.

Cloud-based high-performance computing (HPC) offers on-demand and affordable access to scalable, super computational power with the ability to get insights from big data. Advanced materials or nanomaterials transform and enhance traditional products. Robotics provide flexible automation solutions that improve productivity, and are now more economically feasible even for small series production. Advanced metrology systems provide an unprecedented degree of precision and optical scanning digitalises mechanical parts. 3D printing eliminates many of the transportation and production steps of traditional manufacturing, and enables customised production and rapid prototyping. Virtual reality can present innovative sales and marketing tools to reach customers. Cognitive IoT technology offers ubiquitous intelligence for all products, services and processes. Digital platforms integrate converging technologies and digital solutions, re-creating the underlying digital value chain.

Yet, with the exponential pace of technological change, most business decision-makers, particularly SMEs and mid-caps, have difficulties in deciding when and how much to invest, in which technologies and how to apply them. Businesses face uphill challenges in taking up the latest technologies.