To provide effective and efficient operations and to facilitate a well working decision making process, the organisation of VIMation is streamlined and lean. It consists of a Coordinator, four VirtuEs (Virtual Encounters) and an Industrial Forum.

The Coordinator

The centralised coordination of VIMation is assumed by Thomas Schlegel, Fraunhofer IAO. He takes responsibility for the organisation and administration of VIMation, to enable the members to concentrate on their major tasks and projects. In addition to providing a common infrastructure the Coordinator will also promote VIMation, its reputation and results.

The Virtues

VIMation is based on four pillars: The VirtuEs (Virtual Encounters), which focus on issues within the main topic "Human Machine Interaction and Models in Production":

• The VirtuE for "Interaction and Software Engineering" led by Thomas Schlegel, Universitaet Stuttgart
• The VirtuE for "Knowledge and Competence Management" led by Professor Bernard Grabot, Ecole Nationale D´Ingénieurs de Tarbes
• The VirtuE for "Orgnisation Models and Systems" led by Professor Vinesh Raja, University of Warwick
• The VirtuE for "Virtual Manufacturing" led by Timo Määttä, VTT Research Centre of Finland

The VirtuE leaders are supported by strong and competent partners. They can shape their field of research and concentrate on new common aims. In this way exchange and collaboration are encouraged and common bids and projects will be acquired to create benefit for all members.

After a starting phase of five years new topics and VirtuEs can be set up. Thus steady work and adaptation to new market requirements and technological changes are assured.

Industrial Forum

Besides the VirtuEs, which consist of universities and organisations of applied research, VIMation comprises an Industrial Forum where companies are allocated. Companies can communicate their interests and requirements and researchers are enabled to contact them. This supports intensive exchange and collaboration between universities, applied research and industry. Joint projects can be started to the benefit of both sides.