The Virtual Dimension Center (VDC) is a non-profit organization founded in 2002 that operates as a network for digital product development and production planning in the Stuttgart region of Germany. The VDC has around 70 members and partners and focuses on virtual engineering, virtual reality, 3D visualization, and content creation. The VDC's goals are to support its members, initiate collaborations, promote digital product development technologies, and foster open innovation through knowledge sharing and technology transfer.

1. The Virtual Dimension
Center -
Open Innovation in
Stuttgart Region.
© Kompetenzzentrum Virtuelle Realität und Kooperatives Engineering w. V. – Virtual Dimension Center VDC

2. Presentation VDC
Presentation VDC Members Mission Services References
The Virtual Dimension Center (VDC)
network for digital product development and
digital production planning
core topics: virtual engineering, virtual reality,
3D visualization, animation & content creation
around 70 members and partners
founded in 2002
non-profit
7 employees (5 full-time)
core business of VDC:
1. network / cluster management
2. technology transfer
© Kompetenzzentrum Virtuelle Realität und Kooperatives Engineering w. V. – Virtual Dimension Center VDC
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3. Presentation VDC
Presentation VDC Members Mission Services References
Virtual Engineering
support of development
processes by digital,
3-dimensional models
core activities:
product development processes,
any development processes of
technical objects, service design
across business segments
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4. Presentation VDC
Presentation VDC Members Mission Services References
Cluster
create growth and jobs
cooperation within the value chain process
share common resources
increase innovation activities and
productivity by information and cost
advantages against companies which are
not part of the cluster
getting to know each other, transparent
competences, fast information flow, easier to
establish business contacts, synergies
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5. Presentation VDC
Presentation VDC Members Mission Services References
Cluster
patent applications within clusters above average
easier recruiting
easier access to specialized suppliers
cost reduction for research and development
common exhibition activities
supply of complementary products and services
attractive for costumers
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6. Presentation VDC Members
Members Mission Services References
VDC members’ service offers
products and services in:
- 3D product development
- 3D manufacturing and process
planning
supply of turnkey VR systems from
desktop up to multi channel systems
digital content creation
R&D services,
research and development concerning
new VE technologies
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7. Presentation VDC Members
Members Mission Services References
VDC members’ structure
all competences as a basis for cooperation and synergy
cooperation along the value chain
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8. Presentation VDC Members
Members Mission Services References
Vertical cooperation
cooperations with other networks
for other technologies
upstream and downstream
processes along the value chain
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9. Presentation VDC Members
Members Mission Services References
Horizontal cooperation
cooperation with networks in related subjects and fields
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10. Presentation VDC Members
Members Mission Services References
Lateral cooperation
cooperation for dissemination,
development, cluster
management purposes
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11. Presentation VDC Members Mission
Mission Services References
The VDC mission
provide a sustainable communication platform for
all members
initiate (research) cooperations and business
contacts
implementation of digital product development
technology especially by SMEs
integration of public funded projects
demand responsive focus on (further) education
create favourable conditions for an exchange of
knowledge and Open Innovation
© Kompetenzzentrum Virtuelle Realität und Kooperatives Engineering w. V. – Virtual Dimension Center VDC
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12. Presentation VDC Members Mission Services
Services References
Business area 1: information processing
competence cube
web portal with news (750+/year)
and events (300+/year)
market studies, policy papers and analyses
Fig.: intranet knowledge base
technology and branch screenings
product and project databases
Fig.: white paper on 3D display
technology
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13. Presentation VDC Members Mission Services
Services References
Business area 2: marketing & dissemination
congresses:
- Virtual Efficiency Congress
- specialized congress design process
organization of joint exhibition stands
editing: Fig.: VDC joint exhibition stand at
- newsletter, website the Hannover Messe
- editorial council
Virtual Reality Magazine
press dissemination lists:
regional, supraregional,
special interest press
social media
Fig.: „Virtual Reality Magazin“
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14. Presentation VDC Members Mission Services
Services References
Business area 3: match making
Target branch
competence cube ce
eten
- target branch omp
logy c
hno
- technology Tec
Type of service offering
- service offering Fig.: competence cube
internationalization
contact database:
industry, press, universities/research
Fig.: VisNetA international network
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15. Presentation VDC Members Mission Services
Services References
Business area 4: technology transfer
information events
demo center
special interest groups/ working groups
web portal
Fig.: demo center at the VDC
monthly email newsletter
(~4000 addresses)
Fig.: newsletter structure
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16. Presentation VDC Members Mission Services
Services References
Business area 5: funding management
investigation of funds
funding information (newsletter)
syndication
application Fig.: content of funding info newsletter
project processing
Fig.: project meeting at the VDC
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17. Presentation VDC Members Mission Services References
References
Reference projects
VIPROF
Constantly virtualizing of development and production of vehicles.
Connecting the product development with the manufacturing
technology to a constant, digitalized and cooperative development and
production planning.
simKMU
Development of cross-company, process-integrated and web-based
simulation services and business models for SMEs”.
AutoBauLog
Autonomous controlling in construction site logistics: Transfer of
suitable concepts from digital fabric into construction site logistics.
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18. Presentation VDC Members Mission Services
Services References
Fostering Open Innovation @ VDC
Website
Events, News, Contacts, Technology Scouting Newsletters
Projects, Jobs
Knowledge Database Informal networking
including OI actors in the through particiaption in
region the competence center
© Kompetenzzentrum Virtuelle Realität und Kooperatives Engineering w. V. – Virtual Dimension Center VDC

19. Presentation VDC Members Mission Services
Services References
Project
aim: promoting and facilitating Open
Innovation initiatives in SMEs
by the creation of a network of Open
Innovation Contact Points
publication of a guide on OI benefits for SMEs,
including success stories and answers to most
important questions on OI
will provide guidance to SMEs on how to deal
with IPR issues
identification of OI opportunities among target
companies
project partners: ANAIN (lead partner, Spain),
VDC, Innonet (Hungary)
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20. Presentation VDC Members Mission Services
Services References
Cooperation with other OI projects in the region: BMOI
Cooperation and exchange with one of the project partners
(Universität Stuttgart), common workshops are planned
BMOI aims at generating actionable insight through case studies and
good practices, generic principles, training contents, and policy
recommendations, to help firms transform their business models to
profit from Open Innovation
Focus is in particular on established firms, and how they can
transform their business models towards more open approaches
taking into consideration the features of regional contexts and the
policies deployed in target regions.
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21. Presentation VDC Members Mission Services
Services References
Open Innovation initiatives in Stuttgart Region
Open Innovation Forum in Stuttgart April 2011
WRS’s Open Innovation Initiative: The world is our lab
MKW Fact Finding Stuttgart Region
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22. Presentation VDC Members Mission Services
Services References
Competence and Innovation Center Initiative Stuttgart Region
14 Regional Competence and Innovation Centers of the Stuttgart Region
ca. 450 enterprises (mostly SME)
nearly 50 university institutes and research facilities
5 towns and municipalities
Regional Competence and Innovation Centers support network creation and
provide an instrument for economic development, which will assist even
SMEs to meet the challenges of global competition.
The Stuttgart Region plays an active role in the implementation of these
regional networks and supports their set-up, daily management and the
initiation of innovative projects among the involved partner institutions.
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23. Join us.
VDC: enabling synergies.
Auberlenstr. 13
70736 Fellbach
Tel.: +49 (0)711 58 53 09 0
info@vdc-fellbach.de
www.vdc-fellbach.de
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