The SmartSwitchCabiNet project set out to raise productivity in the manufacturing and assembly of control cabinets for machines and plants by creating a value‑creation network that links component suppliers, sub‑assembly manufacturers and cabinet builders. The core of the initiative was a custom‑developed web platform combined with a middleware that exchanges data via a REST‑API with local shop‑floor systems. The platform was designed to support the full order life cycle: from project creation and assignment to progress tracking and final handover. It also provides a capacity‑management feature that lets partners advertise available resources, enabling the redistribution of work when a partner lacks the necessary capacity or expertise.

During the validation phase a structured plan was used, developed by the lead partner GEENIAL together with the other network partners. The plan was executed by creating sample projects on the platform, assigning them through the built‑in application process, and then following the entire workflow from order creation to completion. The validation revealed that the platform’s core functions performed as intended. Only minor adjustments were required, such as extending the data set transmitted by the REST‑API and adding optional master‑data fields for projects. The comment feature proved especially useful for real‑time communication between client and contractor, allowing quick resolution of questions about material procurement or schematic details. The automated exchange of project and progress data ensured a continuous data flow between the platform and the partners’ shop‑floor systems.

All partners rated the platform’s functionalities positively. The validation confirmed that the requirements gathered in the early analysis phase had been successfully translated into a usable solution. The platform now provides a solid foundation for the desired value‑creation network, although the report notes that further internal process standardisation among network participants is still required to fully realise the anticipated synergies.

The project was carried out under the German federal funding programme, identified by the grant number 02P19K112. GEENIAL, a company specialising in engineering and industrial automation solutions, led the development of the platform and middleware. Other partners included a range of cabinet manufacturers and component suppliers, each contributing practical expertise and testing the system in their own production environments. The project timeline spanned from the initial needs assessment through iterative development cycles to the final validation, with the short report dated 1 June 2023 summarising the outcomes. The iterative release‑feedback loop allowed partners to provide immediate input, which was rapidly incorporated, ensuring that the final product met the real‑world needs of the network.

In summary, the SmartSwitchCabiNet project delivered a fully functional, web‑based platform that enables efficient order assignment, capacity sharing, and progress tracking across a network of control‑cabinet manufacturers. The platform’s successful validation, coupled with the collaborative development process, demonstrates a viable pathway to increased productivity and stronger cooperation within the German cabinet‑building sector.