As traditional criteria for obtaining competitive advantage are becoming less relevant, the digitalization of processes (laboratory automation) is of crucial importance. The greatest impact in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and customer value can be achieved if existing processes are reviewed and optimized prior to digitization.The keynote by Stefan Krügel describes that there is only one real factor that can lead to competitive advantages today and how process optimization can meet today’s challenges such as speed, shortage of skilled workers or lower production costs. More information about Biolago e.V., the largest cross-border healthcare network in the four-country region of Lake Constance www.biolago.org