Filipe Coutinho, Head of Innovation at COCUS: ‘Innovation is not a department, it is a survival instinct. It’s not about labs or moonshots, it’s about solving a customer’s Monday morning headache in a way no one would have thought of before. I like to compare innovation to oxygen: if it stops, it can be fatal for business.’
Why innovation should be a survival instinct for companies
Many companies still view innovation as an add-on, a project alongside their core business. In many markets, however, standing still is more dangerous than moving forward.
Looking at developments in larger industries, it becomes clear that the focus is no longer on optimisation, but on change. Here are a few examples:
1. Energy transition & renewables: Smart and sustainable industrial solutions that are reshaping entire supply chains. One reason for this is the continued growth in renewable energies – in Germany, for example, they accounted for over 54% of electricity generation in 2024.
2. Industry 4.0: Smart factories, AI and predictive maintenance are creating a new kind of efficiency. 95% of manufacturing companies have already invested or plan to invest in AI/machine learning and generative and causal AI over the next five years.
3. Port logistics: The European Commission currently expects goods handling in EU ports to increase by 50% by 2030. From containers to data streams, automation, IoT-supported infrastructure and real-time transparency will therefore become central.
4. Telecommunications: Industrial demand for connectivity to network machines and production facilities continues to grow. Networks are becoming platforms, as 5G, edge computing and virtualisation are now laying the foundation for new services and business models.
How does innovation readiness help in today's dynamic environment?
Innovation readiness describes a company’s ability not only to tolerate change, but to actively create value from it. It is less about technology and more about how culture, mindset and discipline interact to seize opportunities faster than the competition. Companies that are innovation-ready are characterised by:
- They understand necessity as a driver; standing still is not an option.
- The employees combine experience, courage and a willingness to experiment.
- Individual projects are translated into scalable solutions.
Innovation readiness in practice: Current customer projects at COCUS
Today, therefore, we need courage and a culture that allows failure, gives freedom to recognise patterns, and in which every voice counts. Real practical effects are then decisive in determining whether we can speak of genuine innovative strength.
COCUS pursues the idea that solutions only create added value once they have changed the customer’s everyday life. Our most recent projects include NürnbergMesse, Technische Betriebe Solingen and Skysails, which demonstrate how innovative solutions can create valuable business added value within a short period of time.
"With the implemented technology, we are setting a new standard in building management. The ability to detect potential problems in real time and resolve them early will not only improve safety and efficiency, but also contribute to our commitment to sustainable energy practices."
“By introducing 5G-supported bulk material measurement, we have made our processes much more efficient. The automatic collection of real-time data not only saves valuable time, but also provides us with accurate data that makes planning much easier - a clear advantage for our operations.”
"With our 5G Campus2Go solution, we are creating the technological basis for safe, scalable and autonomous control of SkySails' high-altitude wind kites. The combination of real-time connectivity, edge computing and intelligent data usage turns innovative wind energy utilization into a marketable overall system."
"With the implemented technology, we are setting a new standard in building management. The ability to detect potential problems in real time and resolve them early will not only improve safety and efficiency, but also contribute to our commitment to sustainable energy practices."
“By introducing 5G-supported bulk material measurement, we have made our processes much more efficient. The automatic collection of real-time data not only saves valuable time, but also provides us with accurate data that makes planning much easier - a clear advantage for our operations.”
"With our 5G Campus2Go solution, we are creating the technological basis for safe, scalable and autonomous control of SkySails' high-altitude wind kites. The combination of real-time connectivity, edge computing and intelligent data usage turns innovative wind energy utilization into a marketable overall system."
Rapidly scaling project successes – innovative pioneers and solutions
1. MKR: The 5G integration as part of the IDEA project provides the industrial and commercial location of MRK with valuable insights for planning efficient location and communication systems. As a modular basis for smart depot management, it can be transferred to many industries.
2. SMS group: The leading international provider of future-oriented technology in mechanical and plant engineering is creating a sensor-based solution for condition monitoring and fault prevention in the production environment. Thanks to COCUS’ Campus2Go network, the solution is flexible, secure and ready for use by customers in less than five hours.
3. RFS: Together with COCUS, RFS, a specialist in long-lasting connectivity systems, is innovating by testing cable-based 5G antenna systems in its own 5G network for indoor and underground areas, provided by COCUS. RFS is using the tests on its own premises to implement similar solutions for its customers.
COCUS as an innovation support partner
COCUS is large enough to scale solutions and small enough to work agilely. It is precisely this sweet spot that provides fertile ground for innovative projects. Our experts drive innovation, think boldly and smartly, and work together with our customers to bring the future into the present.
