Industry is facing a historic turning point. In industry 4.0, people, machines and products communicate with one another over the internet. This means the convergence of industry and Internet technology. Modern machines allow companies to exploit the potential of digitalization in their production facilities and to unlock new business fields. The mechanical engineering sector have to know how new technologies can be successfully integrated for the benefit of the customer. Production processes and supply chains will become more efficient, with advances in productivity and huge savings in material and energy. Digitalization goes hand in hand with the growing importance of platforms for data exchange, customer contact and services. Online platforms facilitate market access, reduce transaction costs and enable innovation through new business models. Machines are connected around the world, so Industry 4.0 would not be possible without networks and data traffic.